Tapia Llwydion ^{Grade 2}

The ascent of Cadair Idris from the south (the beautiful Cwm Cae) can be enlivened by a section of scrambling which also happens to provide the most direct approach to the summit.

This is described as a ‘diff' rock climb in ‘Scrambles and Easy Climbs in Snowdonia’ – however (probably in common with many others), I ‘discovered’ it before this was published and regard it as a grade 2 scramble, with optional more difficult sections. I've never felt the need for a rope on this scramble, and most difficulties can be avoided.

Start from the car park at Minffordd (GR 731114) and follow the clearly waymarked path through the woods and into Cwm Cae, trending left towards Llyn Cae (about 3/4 hour). The slabs of Tapia Llwydion are clearly visible to the right of the lake. Follow the lakeside path anti-clockwise, cross the lake outflow and trend up a grassy rise towards the lowest point of the slabs.

There are several ways up onto the slabs, the most difficult up a steep little groove (described in ‘Scrambles and Easy Climbs) at about grade 3, and a couple of much easier ways up just to the left. It is also possible to gain the main slab from the recessed slab 15 m to the right, at about grade 2. Once on the main slab, the route can be followed at will – generally easier to the left, more exposed to the right.
After the main slab, the line becomes more broken with some walking over heather, and the best scrambling lines need to be sought out – generally trending towards the deep gully on the left. After a final short steep section, the scrambling peters out and it is possible to walk straight on to the broad main summit ridge and then trend left to the summit. However, by moving to the right, onto the broken area of grass, heather, gullies and small crags, a great deal more scrambling can be found, at almost any grade – best when dry.
This will take you virtually to the summit ridge and the cairn and shelter is about 15 minutes walk away. Any of the main paths can be used for descent – if returning to Minffordd, the Minffordd Path, over Craig Cae is very scenic.

Another path heads east along the southern flanks of Mynydd Moel and then turns south down a steep spur, over a stile and back to the Minfordd path just before it goes into the woods.

The scrambling can take anything from 25 minutes to an hour, depending on route and variations in the upper part. The whole walk / scramble can be done in about 3 – 3 1/2 hours.