Traws Eryri, meaning Trans Snowdonia, is a new 200km predominantly off-road cycle route in Wales, connecting Machynlleth to Conwy. Ideal for a bike-packing trip or tour of some of the best riding Wales has to offer.
Image credits: Saski Dugon unless specified
Traws Eryri Route Information
- 200km
- 4,755m
- Estimated 5 days riding
- Suitable for hardtails and full suspension MTBs
Guided tours of Traws Eryri are available with MTB Wales. Having ridden with Phill and Polly, I cannot recommend them enough for guiding. Extremely knowledgeable and considerate riders that are fantastic company with a wealth of knowledge of mountain biking in Wales. Very safe hands to be in.
Accommodation options along the route are plentiful, from campsites and YHAs to hotels and Air B&Bs, so you can choose whatever suits your needs (or the weather). When I sampled the route we stayed at Treks Bunkhouse in Llan Ffestiniog and The Rocks hostel in Capel Curig. Treks Bunkhouse is a remote, idyllic choice with all the amenities you could possibly need. The Rocks hostel is an absolute treat to stay in, and close enough to Capel Curig shops, pubs and cafés for you to turn up unprepared and needing to refuel.
Maps/guides: OS Landrangers 135, 124 and 115. Head to Cycling UK for the route guide.
About Traws Eryri
It is estimated to take 5 days riding for a competent mountain biker, meaning you’ll either need to book a supported tour or carry your own kit. If you choose the latter, I’d recommend travelling as light as you can, as the riding covers forest tracks, bridleways, trail centre descents and technical challenges throughout, right to the very end in Conwy where you go up and over Maen Esgob.
The route begins in Machynlleth, navigates around Cadair Idris, explores the trails over to Llyn Cwm Mynach, a beautiful lake in an ancient woodland. It then heads east to Coed-y-Brenin forest, where it follows bike trails but there is nothing stopping you from exploring more of them. Going north you arrive at Llyn Trawsfynydd and do a clockwise lap of the lake, and then continue north to Llan Ffestiniog. Penmachno is next, offering yet another opportunity to deviate off the route to further explore the mountain bike trails before contouring around Pen-y-Bryn and eventually arriving in Betws-y-Coed after a generous section of forest trails.
From Betws you travel west to Capel Curig, awestruck by scenery the entire way, and now have the inviting option of booking accommodation at Plas y Brenin and enjoying the outdoor activities the huge lake has to offer. From Capel Curig you follow the Roman Road toward Tryfan, a very striking mountain to bait you forward as your legs are no doubt feeling the miles at this stage.
Conwy is creeping closer, you can start to dream about what you’ll order from the chippy on the promenade, but not before tackling the low consequence yet highly entertaining trail over Maen Esgob.
Why Bother?
There’s no denying that I’m an advocate for mountain biking in Wales. It is a beautiful country with a vast amount of trail centres, so many in fact that I can never choose where to go. This route gives you a taste of the trails through ClimachX, Coed Y Brenin, Penmachno and Gwydyr Forest. It also samples terrain in Dyfi Forest, Cadair Idris, Ogwen Valley, Conwy Mountain and plenty more along the way. You can adapt the route and include a full loop of Coed Y Brenin if time allows, or book some secure accommodation in Capel Curig and have a recovery day at the lake. This route took a lot of hard work and research from Cycling UK and has been meticulously planned, and the result is a tour of some of the best Wales has to offer. The hard work is done, you just need to find time to go and ride it. Da iawn, Cycling UK!
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