Pony Path (Tŷ Nant) at a glance
One of the main paths to the summit of Cadair Idris, up the northern slopes from Tŷ Nant near Dolgellau, through small woodlands, along streams and across open, rocky ground. Eryri: a good level of fitness is required and navigation skills are essential.
- Start
- Tŷ Nant car park (SH 697 153)
- Grade
- Hard/Strenuous (Eryri)
- Map
- OS Explorer OL23
- Official route
- Eryri route page, PDF and GPX
- Tŷ Nant Near Dolgellau
- Small woodlands and streams
- Open, rocky ground
- Penygadair Cadair Idris summit
- ModerateEryri grade
- Hard/StrenuousEryri gradePony Path (Tŷ Nant)
- Scramblehands needed (National Trust)
Plan your Pony Path (Tŷ Nant) day
1. Pick a day
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Best day this week
Our own guide, not an official rating: a weather score from the same rules of thumb as the warnings (gusts, rain, cloud, wind chill, freezing level), lowered on days that are usually busy. Busyness uses Eryri's 2025 walker counts by weekday and month, so it shows a typical pattern, not a crowd forecast. Tap a day to see it.
Sunrise hike: what time to start
- You will walk up in the dark: carry a head torch with spare batteries, and a second light. Eryri advises carrying a torch and whistle in case you are caught on a summit after dark.
- It is much colder before dawn and at the top: pack extra warm layers.
- Navigation is harder in the dark: know the path, and carry a map and compass and the skills to use them.
- Early buses may not run yet: check the first bus time, or the parking rules, before you plan the start.
- Go with others, tell someone your plan, and turn back if the weather is poor.
Hour-by-hour forecast: Cadair Idris summit (893 m)
Wind and gusts in mph. Freezing level in metres above sea level. Forecast data: Open-Meteo.
Before you go, also check the Met Office mountain forecast, MWIS.
2. Getting there
Map
The route map (OpenStreetMap) loads when you scroll here.
How busy it gets
Monthly walker counts, 2025
One-way counts from Eryri's Pony Path counter in Eryri's Visitor Monitoring Report 2025; total 19,856.
Stay safe
- Ask the AdventureSmart three questions: do I have the knowledge and skills, do I know what the weather will be like, and am I confident I have the right gear?
- In an emergency, dial 999 or 112, ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.
- Register your phone for emergency texts before you go: text register to 999.
- Do not walk on the Snowdon Mountain Railway track. Keep dogs on leads near livestock.
- Turn back if the weather turns or you are behind time. The summit will still be there.
Other Eryri walks
- Minffordd Path: 9 km, 6 hrs
- Cwm Idwal: 5 km, 2 hrs
- Tryfan: scramble
- Compare them all
- The six paths up Yr Wyddfa
Distance km
- Minffordd Path9 km
- Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)10 km
- Cwm Idwal5 km
Ascent metres
- Minffordd Path788 m
- Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)727 m
- Cwm Idwal140 m
Time hours (Eryri)
- Minffordd Path6 hrs
- Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)5 hrs
- Cwm Idwal2 hrs
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Pony Path (Tŷ Nant) on Cadair Idris?
10 km (there and back), with an estimated 5 hours walking, according to Eryri National Park Authority.
How much ascent is on the Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)?
727 metres, according to Eryri.
How hard is the Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)?
Eryri grades it Hard/Strenuous. A good level of fitness is required and navigation skills are essential.
Where does the Pony Path (Tŷ Nant) start?
Tŷ Nant car park (SH 697 153).
Where do I park for the Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)?
Tŷ Nant car park (Eryri): £8 a day · £5 up to 4 hrs.
Is there a bus to the Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)?
Eryri does not list a bus for this route on its Pony Path page.
Sources
- Eryri: Pony Path (Tŷ Nant)
- Eryri: parking in Eryri (prices and payment)
- Eryri: Visitor Monitoring Report 2025 (PDF)
- OpenStreetMap contributors (route lines, ODbL)
- Leaflet (map library, BSD-2)
Every figure on this page was checked against these sources on 20 October 2026.