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  • NEW Cycling UK Route: Traws Eryri
  • damascus
    Free Member

    @mugboo which gpx route do you recommend to use? I just downloaded the one from the official site but I’m confused what’s open and what isn’t. Thanks

    phil5556
    Full Member

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

    Oh.

    IMG-0497

    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?

    phil5556
    Full Member
    1
    tillydog
    Free Member

    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.

    phil5556
    Full Member

    Thanks, yep I just read that and realised what the issue is.

    So from the Cycling UK article it suggests that it should be OK to ride but technically not allowed.

    I wonder if I’ll get a chance to faff about with my GPX route and tweak it in time!

    Simon
    Full Member

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

    tillydog
    Free Member

    @phil5556 – check your messages.

    1
    tillydog
    Free Member

    @phil5556 – check your messages.

    Don’t worry – @Simon ‘s routes above include what I was going to send you (except the short bit near Abergynolwyn).

    Enjoy!

    phil5556
    Full Member

    @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?

    2
    phil5556
    Full Member

    Sorted.

    The quarries section definitely worthwhile and looks like it cuts out a bit of a slog of a climb up a road.

    The other bit might be a hard sell to everyone at the end of day 6… I’m sure the view is glorious, but it adds about 350m on. Will see how we are all feeling.

    4
    Ambrose
    Full Member

    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.

    2
    tillydog
    Free Member

    The other bit might be a hard sell to everyone at the end of day 6… I’m sure the view is glorious, but it adds about 350m on.

    I think that diversion makes more sense if the route went across the top to Rowen as per @Ambrose’s description. (Pleasant, frequently ridden route – mostly gravel track.)

    Otherwise, if you’re descending into Conwy at a quiet time, the views are better for longer if you find yourself on the (cough) footpath along the crest of the ridge.  (It does get very busy with walkers and families, so avoid at weekends, etc.)

    1
    martinhutch
    Full Member

    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)

    2
    phil5556
    Full Member

    did it very much on the spur of the moment, if I’d spent a couple of days beforehand poring over maps,

    We decided ages ago we were doing it, but then have spent no time actually sorting anything. Oops!


    @Ambrose
    thanks. If we get a chance to re-look at a map I might tweak the last bit again.

    Anyway, breakfast and then heading off from Knighton.

    It’s raining. The forecast lies!

    pedlad
    Full Member

    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!

    1
    martinhutch
    Full Member

    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 looked at this afterwards and wondered what it was like (I diverted to Dolwyddelan and took the onwards route north you suggested) I guess they want people to go through Betws y Coed for accommodation/food options.

    1
    Mugboo
    Full Member

    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.

    1
    phil5556
    Full Member

    Done.

    Tough 6 days doing the Trans Cambrian first.

    The quarry section was ace.

    Gravel bike was probably the right bike.

    1
    tillydog
    Free Member

    Well done!

    I can believe it was tough.

    1
    phil5556
    Full Member

    I’m assuming the “point” of being up on the hills near the end is for the views, which I’m sure were out there somewhere

    IMG-7152

    Probably my favourite photo of the trip. Somehow my mate managed to clear the ditch and land with both feet on the dry side.

    IMG-0938

    dave661350
    Full Member

    GCN bod gave it a go…in a day

    martinhutch
    Full Member

    Still wondering why pretty much all of the most engaging off-road content tends to be on GCN rather than GMBN! The GMBN crew did Traws Eryri on Ebikes. Was an incredibly dull video.

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