North Wales??

Any suggestions for a “big mountain” route somewhere not too far from Snowdon? To do the day before Snowdon so don’t say Snowdon!

Ideally looking for something similar to one of the Lakes classics, e.g. 4 Passes, Sticks and Esk Hause, extended Bash etc.

Assuming you want legal then there’s very little.  Cadair is the obvious option.

Or Llyn Cowlyd loop. Which imho is pretty bad.

Sorry, not a fan of North Wales MTB apart from the three routes on Snowdon

@thegeneralist yeah I kinda thought if the route I wanted existed I’d know about it. Done Cadair and it’s OK.

Just read MBRs write up of Llyn Cowlyd, road descent doesn’t sound promising!

It would be on a Friday so not adverse to some off Bridleway riding as long as it’s a generally accepted route.

If you’re heading to Snowdon via the A55 then you’ll be close to the Clwyds. Not exactly ‘big mountain’ and very xc, there is plenty of elevation to fill your boots. There is some fun cheeky stuff the local trail pixies have worked hard on west of Moel Famau itself.

Cilcain to Llanberis is <1.5hr drive.

Which way are you coming from, there may be something en-route?

The llyn cowlyd route “road” descent is great fun as its really steep with switchbacks. The final drop back into capel however isn’t as good since a lot of it was resurfaced to be very smooth.

The Mach 2 & 3 loops are worth a look for a big day out with views.

Imo snowdownia, apart from Snowdon itself, lacks big mountain descents that are much fun on a bike. Nothing like the lakes except the rangers route.

I’d much rather go explore the offpiste in Dyfi or Gwydir (strava is your friend), or do an uplift at revs/antur/dyfi.

Best option for what you want is the Pont Scethin loop.

Not super-high, but very “out there” and loads of rocks.

Last time I was there this Spring, I pushed back up to repeat the final descent and get better VFM.

The final drop back into capel however isn’t as good since a lot of it was resurfaced to be very smooth.

Not worth the push up from Crafnant now :(

(Last time I did it, there were a couple of foreign (German?) bike tourers with panniers and hybrid e-bikes coming the other way. Must have had the shock of their lives when they came over the top from Capel Curig on ‘kitty litter’ to face the steep, grassy descent on the Crafnant side!)

OP – maybe look at Marin / Sarn Helen variants – not ‘big mountain’ but stretches are pretty remote.

Gutted to hear about the Crafnant descent, used to work that into a big loop out from Gwydir sometimes.

Here’re some pics from the Pont Scethin loop:

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Go on flat tyres mtb.

There is an ace ride of Conwy mountain and onto Drum. The climb is all rideable and the descent is the fastest ive been on an mtb.

There some nice off piste along the sides of that switchbacky tarmac descent :)

@breininbeener  is the the Romans and Druids ride thats pots you down towards Rowan and the brideway that turns into a hairpin right ? If so I think my Canyon dude is still impailed in the banking and wall !

@stevedoc yes thats part if it!

I shall look for your Canyon!

There is gold in them hills….

One of the best rides in snowdonia is along the north Wales path from Conwy to Aber falls (don ride down the road, ride the FP to the west) Then onto the beach to llan fairfechfechan, up onto the national cycle path then up synchnant pass and down Conwy mountain for a very fast win.

Eluded to above by @breninbeerner

Or….

Llyn cowlyd – instead of going down the road, go over the dam, but of hike a bike over the ridge and take the path down in to Llyn crafnant.

You can ride over to Llyn geironnydd And take miners path to Trefriw.

Yup, compared to Cumbria Gwynydd has a far more limited network of bridleways. There’s a bunch of trails west of Cadair Idris that might suit, plus of course the places mentioned above. The Flattyres site has some great suggestions. I especially like the trails dropping into the Capel Curig area.

South of Machynlleth there are many, many km of ‘out there’ rides to be had. Big descents but big climbs too.

I’m completely unfamilar with the offroad tracks around there, but there appears to be options to climb up to around Llyn Brenig, which is at the top of the tarmac 6.9 mile Road To Hell climb I’ve done a few times.

I’m only a free user of Strava, but the map options look better than last time I looked.

An example segment route https://www.strava.com/segments/31634450

It’s lovely around the Brenig and Alwen reservoirs on the plateau.

Been meaning to do the Conwy route for some time. We did the MBR Clwydian range Killer Loop ride a few years back. Fair old day out – lots of climbing ! Bit sloppy in places.

I’m moving to Conwy in the foreseeable. Any idea if there are any clubs in the area ?

Bookmarking for reference for when my ebike finally arrives

I’m moving to Conwy in the foreseeable. Any idea if there are any clubs in the area ?

MTB? There’s a couple of Faceburp groups that were pretty active. It’s a bit far west for me, so I haven’t taken too much interest in them.