Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 01341-421800;
www.tysiamas.com
; Eldon Sq)
Dolgellau has been an important hub for Welsh
folk music ever since it held the first Welsh folk festival in 1952. The town's former mar-
ket hall now houses the volunteer-run National Centre for Welsh Folk Music, named after
Dolgellau-born Elis Sîon Siamas who was the royal harpist to Queen Anne and the first
Welshman to build a triple harp (now commonly known as a 'Welsh harp'). The centre
has a recording studio, stages workshops, and offers lessons on traditional instruments.
Check the website for upcoming performances.
Information
Dolgellau Tourist Office
( 01341-422888;
www.eryri-npa.gov.uk
;
Eldon Sq; 9.30am-5pm Easter-Oct,
9.30am-4.30pm Thu-Mon Nov-Easter)
Sells maps, local history books and trail leaflets for climbing
Cader Idris. Downstairs there's a free video about the national park, while upstairs there's
a permanent exhibition on the region's Quaker heritage.
Getting There & Around
Buses stop on Eldon Sq in the heart of town. Destinations include Machynlleth (route T2/
X27; 32 minutes), Betws-y-Coed (X1; 1¼ hours), Llangollen (X94; 1¼ hours), Porth-
madog (T2; 50 minutes) and Caernarfon (T2; 1½ hours).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Cader Idris (Cadair Idris)
Cader Idris (893m), or the 'Seat of Idris' (a legendary giant), is a hulking, menacing-look-
ing mountain with an appropriate mythology attached. It's said that hounds of the under-
world fly around its peaks, and that strange light effects are often sighted in the area. It's
also said that anyone who spends the night on the summit will awake either mad or a poet
- although perhaps you'd have to be a little mad or romantic to attempt it in the first place.
Regardless of its reputation, it's popular with walkers and it's the park's favourite locale
for rock climbers.
The usual route to the summit is the 'Dolgellau' or
Pony Path
(6 miles return, five hours),
which begins from the Tŷ Nant car park, 3 miles southwest of Dolgellau. It's a rocky but
safe, straightforward route.
The easiest but longest route is the 'Tywyn' or
Llanfihangel y Pennant Path
(10 miles return,
six hours), a gentle pony track that heads northeast from the hamlet of Llanfihangel y Pen-
