Tapia Llwydion Scramble
By The Bald Scrambler
Cadair Idris
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Date: 2nd December 2024. Filed at: Other Snowdonia Scrambles. Disclosure: I earn commission from purchases made via links, read more. Disclaimer: Scrambling is a dangerous sport and this page doesn’t contain step-by-step instructions – read disclaimer. Comments are open.
A scramble that thousands of people walk past every year and don’t even know it’s there?
That would be Tapia Llwydion, a grade 2 line on the slopes of Cadair Idris.
I tackled it, but was it worth the effort?
Below you’ll find:
- Video of the scramble
- Parking, gpx map and approach info
- Photos and route description
- Top out and descent back to my car
- My opinion
The lower half of the route
Watch My Video:
My Favourite Scrambling Book
Parking
I parked in the park authority site at Dol Idris (SH 732 116), this is also the main car park for the popular Minffordd Path up Cadair Idris.
Here’s the exact What3Words location:
https://what3words.com/weeknight.rabble.towel
Parking costs £3 for 4 hours and £6 for all day, up to midnight (last checked in November 2024).
Map
Here’s a map and downloadable GPX coordinates for the route up to the start of the scramble.
I found the approach easy and straightforward as it followed the popular Minffordd Path up to Llyn Cau and from here, the slabs of Tapia Llwydion were visible.
Start of the Tapia Llwydion Scramble
The best scrambling on this route can be found on the lower slab.
There were some decent holds, a nice crack/groove to climb up and some exposed moments too.
While there was some lichen and moss, it didn’t interfere with the scrambling on this lower section, although I get the feeling this one could be very slippery when wet.
I didn’t come across any loose holds on this lower section and it all felt solid.
There are two potential starting points and I chose the one on the right:
Me making my up a crack at the start of the route
Scrambling up a grade 2 crack on Tapia Llwydion
Some very good and exposed grade 2 scrambling
Mid Section of Scrambling
The mid-section of this scramble is best tackled initially on the left where there is a wide rib at around grade 1.
Above this, I found the terrain a mix of heather, grass and intermittent scrambling again at grade 1.
Further up from here, I came across a lovely viewpoint, overlooking the lake and valley.
The best bit of scrambling above the main slab
More scrambling, about halfway up
The viewpoint, overlooking Llyn Cau
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
The Final Section: A Disappointing End
Above the viewpoint, I found a few short bits of scrambling over to the right but this upper section was mostly grass, heather and loose material. It was also steep in places and a bit wet; in short there was very little interest here and was thoroughly unpleasant.
Don’t get your hopes up but there’s some interest over to the right of the upper section
Seriously folks; don’t get your hopes up
Continuation
The route ends on the path between the summit of Cadair Idris and the second-highest point – Mynydd Moel.
Penygadair, the name of Cadair Idris’s summit, is only a 15-minute walk away.
I went along the ridge to Mynydd Moel and then descended the stepped path (pleasant, great views) down to the wooded area at the start of the Minffordd Path.
Descent via the stepped path with stunning views of the valley
These Are Perfect for General Hiking:
What I Think of This Scramble
The lower slab of this route is excellent, graded at a 2, has good holds, a fun crack/groove to climb up and a dollop of exposure.
There were then moments of good scrambling in an otherwise heathery mid-section.
Unfortunately, the upper section is horrid and lowers the fun rating for the entire route to 1 star out of 3.
What a shame the upper section didn’t live up to the expectations created on the lower slab.
Route Profile
Grade: Grade 2 from me and this is similar to the grades currently published on the UKC website.
Suitability for beginners: A bit steep on the lower section but otherwise could be a good introduction to grade 2 scrambling (when dry).
Navigation: Easy to find, just look for the large slab on the north side of Llyn Cau.
Dangers: Slippery when wet, also has a steepish grassy and heathery walkout near the top, otherwise as expected for a grade 2 route. There is (apparently, I didn’t see it) a grade 3 or Diff route nearby that may contain additional hazards not described on this page.
Popularity: This route isn’t popular at all and isn’t included in any of the guidebooks I own.
Fun rating: 1 star out of 3 in my opinion.
My likes: A quiet underused route and good scrambling on the lower slab. Lovely walk back down to the car.
My dislikes: Everything above the halfway point up to the ridge.
Nearby scrambles: Grade 3 Cyfrwy Arete on the other side of Cadair Idris. Parking for the Southwest Ridge (aka Hywel Ridge) of Rhinog Fach is a 30-minute drive away.
About Daniel Weadley
This route up Tapia Llwydion was created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
4 Comments
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Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
Thanks for posting this video. Allowed me to finally locate the decent scrambling line having tried a few times previously based on sketchy descriptions and fuzzy photos on other sites, when I ended up in disappointing chossy gullies or at the bottom of too steep (for me to scramble) rock face. Whilst not a classic, it adds relatively straightforward interest to an ascent of Cadair Idris and helps avoid the crowds!
Thanks! I do like hunting out these lesser known routes ;-). Glad you enjoyed it.
Thanks for this daniel, and all of your other videos. I have moved 30 minutes from cadair idris after falling in love with scrambling myself and generally being outside! Hope to come across you one day in the mountains.
I really enjoyed the bottom bit as you described but you were not joking about the Heather and grass, that is no fun 🤣 that bottom slab is superb fun though! Once again thanks Daniel!