NEW Cycling UK Route: Traws Eryri

I’d hate to climb so far only to limp back down on a rigid gravel bike.

Oh.

We set off for Wales tomorrow. Trans Cambrian for 3 days followed by the TE over 3 days.

Only just seen the chat of closed bits, any chance you could send me the route please so I can check how it compares to what we’ve got planned?

I don’t *think* anything is “closed” at the moment. The published route differs from the original article as there are two major sections where the rights of way are ambiguous. These currently have tarmac alternatives.

Have a look at the article below for the background, and where they are (3 part article).

https://www.cyclinguk.org/blog/traws-eryri-mysterious-missing-bits

There’s also a short, off-road section near Abergynolwyn  that requires you to traverse about 100 yds of footpath, so isn’t on the published route.

I did the route with Mugboo I’ll try and post a link to my Strava for the 3 days riding.

Day 1 https://www.strava.com/routes/3263189111859569490

Day 2 https://www.strava.com/routes/3263189768130598738

Day 3 https://www.strava.com/routes/3263190464614649778

@tillydog just messaged you so no need to reply but thanks!

@Simon thanks for that, I’ll grab the GPX later and compare it to ours.

All the extra bits OK to ride?

I supported my wife when she/ we rode it last month. I have arthritis so can only ride limited distances despite using an ebike. She rode the route; I rode either with her and then back to the car or drove ahead and headed back to meet her.

We used to live in Machynlleth so decided to miss out almost all of the early tarmac miles.

Day 1. Craig Aderyn (Bird Rock) to Tynygroes hotel, in CyB.

Over to the wonderful Heol Ddu with its stupendous views across the Mawddach estuary to Yr Rhinogydd and beyond, to near Llynau Cregennan as per official route but we were then tempted by the bridleway following the Nant Gwynant dropping down past Kings youth hostel. It started promisingly but was a bit overgrown with bracken. Excellent riding though with a couple of nice rocky sections. A too slow lunch at the George in Penmaenpool. Steep road after the wooden toll bridge and then up through the forest to the Afon Gamlan. The waterfalls are worth a look. The Gamlan is one of the best whitewater runs to be had.

Day 2. Tynygroes hotel to Eagles hostel in Penmachno.

A couple of the reds in CyB and then food in the centre. Mrs Ambrose really enjoyed the rocky Sarn Helen track to Trawsfynydd where I met up with her. Her ‘non-official’ route was then up from Llan Ffestiniog via Cwm Tiegl to Manod quarries where my woodburner’s hearth was quarried in true STW style back in 2010. I met her at the top, having ridden up from Penmachno. On the way up from Cwm Penmachno I managed the first third of the top incline but couldn’t ride it all, despite the motor. It was an awful push up even with the ebike’s walk assist because my hip was so painful. Reunited at Manod Quarries we rode back along the tramway (there are some BIG holes in the ground from the workings) to the top of the upper incline that I had previously pushed up. It’s a fun, fast run descending the inclines with warp speed slaty tracks taking you back to the village. We had a gentle end to the day along the valley bottom.

Day 3. The Eagles, Penmachno to Yr Llech, The Slate in Tal y Bont, Llandegai.

Breakfast in the Conwy Falls Cafe was a good one. We missed out all the convoluted route above Betws y Coed, instead heading directly for Sarn Helen again in the forestry above and between ByC/ Dolwyddelan. There are a few trees down in places, but nothing is problematic. A pint and a bite in the Tynycoed hotel (recently refurbished, very nice indeed) and then via Plas y Brenin to Capel Curig. The route follows the old road to Ogwen Cottage and is hugely photogenic. Lots of classic mountain views, unless it’s pouring down like when we were there. From Ogwen Cottage down into Bethesda via the back lane that most definitely isn’t the A5 to the Snowdonia slate trail, part of Route 82. We passed the location of Mr Bates’ home in the recent production, Mr Bates vs. The Post Office. Yr Llech, The Slate, our bed for the night is just north of the A55 in Llandegai.

Day 4. Another good breakfast and then lanes up to Aber falls, by Abergwyngregan. Cheeky riding up towards the Drum turning (very tempting- but not this time) and onwards to Rowen hostel. This is a very well used route that I have never, ever had any issues on. Most of it is shown on Streetview too. From here towards Conwy via the Sychnant Pass and then Conwy Mountain. An obligatory portion of chips by the castle rounded things off nicely.

Final thoughts:
We didn’t always follow the ‘official’ route because of personal preferences, local knowledge and accommodation constraints.
In a perfect world (i.e., with a working leg!) I would alter the route we took by cutting up through the forest from Penmachno to the RoW via Bwlch yr Groes and then down to Dolwyddelan. Boggy but worth it I think. Then I’d head over towards Capel Curig on the RoW that pops out near Pont Cyfyng. I know this track well, it’s a great ride. Huge views, rocky, wet and rather steep too in one place.
Overall, the official route has a lot of tarmac, more than I’d wanted tbh. I have a feeling that this is to allow rail access and also to encourage the opportunity to visit shops etc.
A full-suss bike is not needed. We met people on gravel bikes. I used a Trek Rail which was completely OTT except for CyB and the Cwm Penmachno inclines. A hardtail would be ideal.
There’s loads of accommodation available if you book well in advance- oops!
Everyone we met was super friendly, but Conwy Quay was a bit of a contrast to the empty hills.

I have gpx files if you want, message me.

It makes much more sense as a MTB route if you’re taking longer over it and doing some of the TC stuff on the way. I think the route would benefit from some optional diversions which, for example, let you climb to the top of CyB and then take the Addams Family descents back towards the route without doing the entire Dragon’s Back or Beast.

The marked route is also short of resupply options actually on the line, aside from Betws y Coed.

I did it very much on the spur of the moment, if I’d spent a couple of days beforehand poring over maps, I would have made some adjustments, especially near Llan Ffestiniog and after Bethesda. I don’t know if there are any other options to break up the initial road section around Corris.

Still well worthwhile though. 100% a gravel route as it stands, probably one climb and one descent which will require getting off (unless bastard steep Welsh village roads count)

benefit from some optional diversions which, for example, let you climb to the top of CyB and then take the Addams Family descents back towards the route without doing the entire Dragon’s Back or Beast.

Exactly what we did – one of the lads on his gravel bike!

Damascus – Simon has kindly supplied our routes. Thanks Si.

I do agree with Martinhutch that the route will no doubt end up being adapted along the way to include more MTBy stuff. I could be tempted to do it again then.

As for the ‘missing options’, the first one up to the quarry is unmissable. The second one, I’m not so sure, would have to try the official route next time to compare.

After we got back I had enjoyed the whole thing so much I experienced a slight low. I also started pouring over the maps because there has to be a great way of doing a multi day taking in some of this, CyB, Penmachno and Gydwr.

Well done!

I can believe it was tough.

GCN bod gave it a go…in a day