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Home / Type of trip / Active / 10 things my son learnt at Cadair Idris

10 things my son learnt at Cadair Idris

May 5, 2014 by Gretta Schifano 43 Comments

Walking down Cadair Idris. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Walking down Cadair Idris. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cadair Idris is one of the highest mountains in Wales. It’s 893 metres high and is a ruggedly beautiful place in Southern Snowdonia. It has far fewer visitors than celebrated Mount Snowdon and this makes it generally a more peaceful place to visit. I walked part of the way up Cadair Idris on the steep Minffordd path recently with my husband and 11-year old son. It was a tough walk but the scenery was so gorgeous and varied that even my son forgot about his aching legs. Here are some of the things which he learnt that day.

  • The Welsh word for ‘slow’ is ‘araf’. We saw this written on the road on the spectacular drive through Snowdonia National Park from our B&B near Dolgellau and my son still remembers the word. Welsh is one of the oldest languages in Europe and is spoken by the majority of people who live in this part of Wales.
  • You need to check the weather forecast and make sure you know where you’re going before setting off into the mountains. We met a park ranger in the car park before we started our walk and he told us that the forecast was good that day.
  • Idris was a giant in Welsh mythology and Cadair Idris is said to be his chair. There’s a legend that anyone who spends the night at the top of this mountain will awake either mad or a poet.
  • It’s possible to walk up a mountain in trainers if you really, really don’t want to put on the hiking boots which your parents have brought for you to wear.
  • Playing football regularly makes your leg muscles much stronger than your Mum’s and is excellent preparation for walking up steep mountain paths.
  • Even very young children can climb mountains. We passed a chirpy two-year old walking up the path as we went down: her Dad told us he’d carried her quite a bit of the way.
Cadair Idris Tea Room. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Cadair Idris Tea Room. Copyright Gretta Schifano

  • Cadair Idris was made by fire and ice. After our walk we went to the excellent Cadair Tea Room for lunch and then to the Visitor Centre next door. My son was intrigued to learn that the Cadair rocks were created by volcanic activity hundreds of millions of years ago and that the Cwm Cau hollow high up in the mountain was carved out by glaciers during the last Ice Age.
  • There is such a thing as a Creme Egg cake and it’s just what you need after a long mountain walk. Lee at the Cadair Tea Room makes the best home-made cakes and his Easter special was delicious.
Lambs in Dôl Idris parkland. Copyright Gretta Schifano

Lambs in Dôl Idris parkland. Copyright Gretta Schifano

  • Alder, birch and hazel leaves look quite similar to each other. There’s a children’s nature trail and treasure hunt starting from the Cadair Tea Room and those three leaves were the trickiest to find.
  • Ginger beer was produced here at one time. The Dôl Idris parkland at the foot of Cadair Idris was once owned by the Idris family, manufacturers of Idris ginger beer. Mr Ivor Idris donated the land to the Snowdonia National Park Authority in the 1980s.

Family travel lowdown: Cadair Idris and its Visitor Centre are open to the public and free to visit. The Dôl Idris car park charges are £2.50 for up to four hours, £5.50 all day until midnight. The Cadair Tea Room and Visitor Centre are part funded by the European Regional Development Fund’s Communities and Nature Project through the Welsh Government. Thanks to Visit Wales and CAN for arranging our trip to Snowdonia.

Cadair Idris is one of the highest mountains in Snowdonia in Wales. It's a beautiful area to explore and great for walking. Here are 10 things which my son learnt when we hiked on this mountain.

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Related

Categories: Active, Wales
Tags: Cadair Idris, Snowdonia, Wales

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Hefin says

    March 22, 2015 at 10:57 pm

    Nice write-up Gretta.
    I’ve lived in the local foothills all my life and never heard of the “fort of Idris” before, strange comment!
    Please drop the “mount” when writing (or talking) about out Welsh mountains, we’re not in Scotland or America now 🙂

    Reply
    • Hefin says

      March 22, 2015 at 11:00 pm

      Oh and very importantly please dont encourage people to attempt the climb without adequate footwear as the Mountain Rescue guys ( and girls) wont thank you 🙁

      Reply
  2. M E Besent says

    March 22, 2015 at 9:14 pm

    I’m saddened by the incorrect use of place names /feature, but it really isn’t your fault – it is an increasingly evident mistake -It is actually Cader Idris nod Cadair Idris. Because of our local welsh accent some people think Cader should read Cadair but it actually means the Fort of Idris(caer/cader) not his chair (cadair) Thanks

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 22, 2015 at 9:59 pm

      Thank you for pointing this out. I knew that there were two spellings but I opted for the spelling which I saw when I was at the mountain. Perhaps I should have included both options.

      Reply
  3. Anne Markham says

    March 21, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Great insight,good write up and lovely comments about the Ty Te Tearoom, have shared it on facebook pages 🙂

    https://www.facebook.com/CadairIdrisWales?fref=nf
    https://www.facebook.com/TyTeCadairTeaRoom?ref=hl

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 21, 2015 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  4. Lotte says

    May 13, 2014 at 10:31 pm

    Congratulations on being shortlisted for the BIBs – I can totally see why!
    I am your newest fan 😀

    This place looks absolutely beautiful. I really want to visit Wales just hope I get the chance. Would really like to visit here too.

    Thanks for sharing hun.
    Lotte xo
    Berice Baby – London Lifestyle Blog
    Lotte recently posted…Littlewoods Ladybird SS14 Kids Fashion RangeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 14, 2014 at 8:38 am

      Thank you, it’s lovely of you to say that!

      Reply
  5. Mummygadgetgeek says

    May 13, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    That looks like a walk that my 4yo would really find interesting. And I love the Welsh language too – always get excited when we see araf start appearing on the road!
    Mummygadgetgeek recently posted…Review: OobEdoO – an interactive kids app full of favourite charactersMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Funky Wellies says

    May 10, 2014 at 3:45 pm

    Great post and gorgeous photos.
    The first one is especially stunning. xx
    Funky Wellies recently posted…Another Photo? Seriously?My Profile

    Reply
  7. Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) says

    May 10, 2014 at 11:08 am

    A really really nice place. The view looking down is amazing those fields are so calming to look at! Thanks for sharing this. #countrykids
    Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Music LoverMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Snowdonia Log Cabins says

    May 10, 2014 at 10:10 am

    Lovely writeup! Shared on our facebook page! 🙂
    https://www.facebook.com/snowdonialogcabins

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 10, 2014 at 10:41 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  9. Jenna @TransformingIntoButterflies says

    May 10, 2014 at 9:52 am

    Oh that tea room looks lovely. 🙂 I am looking forward to being able to explore plays with my little man 🙂

    Reply
  10. Lori says

    May 7, 2014 at 11:29 pm

    I love the refusal of walking boots! that made me chuckle, looks like it’s quite an amazing place to visit though. x
    Lori recently posted…WIN A PETITE PRECIOUS PRINTS CHARMMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Cass@frugalfamily says

    May 7, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    We loved Wales and I’m all for trips where you learn while having fun as a family x x
    Cass@frugalfamily recently posted…Have you tried Shopitize yet….My Profile

    Reply
  12. Kara says

    May 7, 2014 at 11:23 am

    I would love to go walking in Snowdon – we went white water rafting ten years agao and the scenery was amazing
    Kara recently posted…Knobs, No KnockersMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Fritha says

    May 7, 2014 at 8:53 am

    aww I love Cadir-Idris! we used to go there on school trips!
    Fritha recently posted…Our Bank Holiday weekend in picturesMy Profile

    Reply
  14. PinkOddy says

    May 6, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    My boys are part of the scouts and I bet they would love this – and I like how educational it was (hmm apart from the bit about wearing trainers lol). Well done and best of luck in the BiBs.
    PinkOddy recently posted…Anxiety – Mental Health Awareness Week 2014My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 7, 2014 at 8:57 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  15. Kizzy says

    May 6, 2014 at 12:26 pm

    I really want to visit Wales.
    Kizzy recently posted…Our Favorite Places to Eat at Disneyland ParisMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Sarah Ebner says

    May 6, 2014 at 10:11 am

    Looks gorgeous – and always good to learn at the same time as holidaying!

    Reply
  17. Michelle says

    May 6, 2014 at 7:19 am

    Oh my gosh – what a stunning view!! I would love to climb up a mountain again someday to see things like that in person.

    I went on a geography field trip when I was going my GCSEs and we had to walk up some mountains – I say under duress and by force hahaha – didn’t appreciate it back when I was 14/15!!
    Michelle recently posted…A BBQ Shopping Trip at Morrisons #MorrisonsMumMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Trish says

    May 6, 2014 at 6:47 am

    More tempting ideas from Wales!
    Love the style of this post -lots that made me smile, including boys who won’t wear their hiking boots and mad poets 🙂
    Trish recently posted…Latest column articlesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 6, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Thanks Trish, I’m pleased you liked it!

      Reply
  19. Susanna says

    May 6, 2014 at 5:30 am

    I like your comment that you really can wear trainers! Kids will be kids. Nice post Greta, you’ve inspired me to conquer a mountain. x
    Susanna recently posted…North Lake Tahoe: Spring skiing and lazing by the lakeMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 6, 2014 at 9:22 am

      Thanks Susanna!

      Reply
  20. Sarah Bailey says

    May 6, 2014 at 1:02 am

    What some beautiful pictures, those lambs are just the sweetest. x
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…Blue Douglas Tartan Blanket Rug: ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  21. Jennifer Howze says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:57 pm

    What sweet pictures! Sounds like a great outing.
    Jennifer Howze recently posted…2 secret places you need to visit in MississippiMy Profile

    Reply
  22. sam@happyhomebird says

    May 5, 2014 at 9:13 pm

    It looks amazing. Big fan of Wales here! I very much want to do this walk now after reading your blog post and I love learning the facts around a new place. Thank you.
    sam@happyhomebird recently posted…Our garden makeover using the Outspiration appMy Profile

    Reply
  23. Shell Louise says

    May 5, 2014 at 8:39 pm

    Stunning views and that tearoom is gorgeous 🙂
    Shell Louise recently posted…Silent SundayMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says

    May 5, 2014 at 7:18 pm

    What a beautiful place to visit it looks so picturesque.
    Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) recently posted…Rose IcecreamMy Profile

    Reply
  25. Polly says

    May 5, 2014 at 7:17 pm

    I haven’t been there for years! We really must go again x
    Polly recently posted…Camp BestivalMy Profile

    Reply
  26. LearnerMother says

    May 5, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    That’s such a lovely picture at the start of your post! Sounds like you had a great day – and the bit about the trainers instead of the hiking boots made me laugh! We haven’t explored North Wales much yet as a family – something we need to pout right very soon, I think 🙂
    LearnerMother recently posted…Right here, right now – my girl-in-the-middleMy Profile

    Reply
  27. Keri-Anne says

    May 5, 2014 at 5:52 pm

    I climbed a mountain in Wales when i was younger with the school. It was a wonderful experience and i wish i could remember which one i climbed as i would love to go again!! x
    Keri-Anne recently posted…In the orchardMy Profile

    Reply
  28. Hannah Staveley says

    May 5, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    Wow what a stunning place, love the look of the tea rooms .x

    Reply
  29. Victoria Mylittlel says

    May 5, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    never heard of this place before would like to go there one day, but to be honest with you prefer Wales when the weather is nice and sunny
    Victoria Mylittlel recently posted…Mr. Nutcase Ipad mini case reviewMy Profile

    Reply
  30. laura redburn says

    May 5, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    yay, wales! i need to explore more of it, but it’s a bit hard when you don’t have a car or any money to travel.

    Reply
  31. You Baby Me Mummy says

    May 5, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    Oh this looks great. I love the first picture. We would love this and the tea room would be an added bonus x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…Living Arrows / The 52 Project 18/52My Profile

    Reply
  32. The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover says

    May 5, 2014 at 11:26 am

    I have never been to Snowdonia, I should really as I live in South Wales. I’d love to do the walk but then I’d have to stop in the tea room for cake!
    The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…Top Gaming Gadgets And PeripheralsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 5, 2014 at 11:30 am

      Or you could just go to the tea room and enjoy the cake and the view!

      Reply
  33. Sonya. Cisco says

    May 5, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Ooh I did that walk/climb when I was considerably younger and fitter, in fact I did all the welsh peaks over a series of holidays in my late teens and early twenties – absolutely gorgeous place to walk! I think I would want to wake up a mad poet – the best kind of poets are always bonkers!
    Sonya. Cisco recently posted…Snooker Loopy And Other Dull Telly.My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      May 5, 2014 at 11:24 am

      It’s so beautiful there – I’d love to go back with no kids in tow and walk right to the top!

      Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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