Cader Idris Fox's path

Inspired by a recent walk featured in Country Walking magazine, we decided to tackle Cader Idris from the north, starting in Dolgellau and walking up to Llyn Gwernan, where the Fox's path starts. Llyn Gwernan is a lovely setting,, and you can park at the hotel there (£5/day) if you want to avoid the walk up from Dolgellau. The Fox's path is a lovely way to approach Cader Idris with great views of the impressive north facing cliffs, as well as down to Barmouth with the Rhinogs and Snowdon visible to the north. The path takes you past Llyn Gafr then up to Llyn y Gadair in the impressive cliff-faced bowl below Penygadair, the main summit on the Cader Idris ridge. BUT, and it is a big BUT, if you want to get to the top, you are faced with an awful, treacherous climb up really loose scree to get to the summit from Llyn y Gadair. We only got about a third of the way up the scree before turning back, as it was so loose and downright dangerous in places - other walkers we saw or met had similar difficulties. So, we would not recommend the Fox's path to reach the top of Cader Idris - take the Minfford or Pony path instead. This was still a lovely walk up to Llyn y Gadair, even if we did not reach the summit.