Bwlch Oerddrws

The 'Pass of the Cold Door', a fast A470 mountain pass between Dinas Mawddwy and Dolgellau that opens up the great eastern wall of Cadair Idris.

Bwlch yr Oerddrws, the Pass of the Cold Door, carries the A470 over the shoulder between the Dyfi valley at Dinas Mawddwy and the Mawddach country around Dolgellau. From Dinas Mawddwy the road climbs steadily through a tightening glen of rough sheep pasture to a summit car park where the eastern flank of Cadair Idris suddenly fills the windscreen, then sweeps down to the Cross Foxes junction and on toward Dolgellau. It is a well-surfaced two-lane trunk road with flowing bends and long sightlines, more grand touring than technical, and a justly popular bikers' run. Mind sudden hill fog and crosswinds over the exposed summit, fast oncoming traffic on the sweeping descents, and sheep wandering onto the unfenced upper sections.