llanberis to llanrwst

[noni]

We are planning our first road trip starting off at Prestatyn, through Conwy, Holyhead and then to Bangor during the end of March, mainly along the coastal path. So to not be overly ambitious, we have planned to stop every 20 miles or so and make it more of a sightseeing tour rather than a gruelling work out. Then our trip continues through Llanberis to Betws-y- Coed and finally Llanwrst over three days. It should take 8 days in total with stop offs at B and Bs along the way. I am wondering about routes through Snowdonia, whether to go along the A5 and also to work out how steep it is? Has anyone experienced this route in spring and know what the conditions are like? Am I just not being realistic about the hills? I don't intend to go up any mountains, but through the valleys as much as possible.

 

[green1]

Conditions? Wet, wet and wet with low cloud. It's not particularly steep just relentless for 7~8 miles. I'd do it before the tourist season season starts proper as I wouldn't want to be on the A4096/A5 when all the tourists are driving along looking at the scenery as you don't have a verge to use as an escape just slate walls.

Edit: Once you get to Llanwrst carry on down the Conwy Valley back to Conway for some stunning views. TBH you could do all that in one day, Once out of Llanberis you've got 8 miles uphill, then 15ish miles down hill then from Betys it's pretty flat. Probably 30~35 miles in total.

 

[sddg7tfl]

I agree with avoiding tourist season .... or just "own" the lane and make the motorists wait
until its safe to overtake.
The pass of LLanberis is nice on a sunny day, brake discs get a bit hot though.

Don't forget to cycle(carry & push) the bikes up snowdon.

 

[green1]

The pass of LLanberis is nice on a sunny day, brake discs get a bit hot though.

Wimp

 

[sddg7tfl]

Wimp

I've seen a motorcyclist who needed skin grafts due to coming off at 40mph and sliding on tarmac ...
due to wearing no leathers.

Something to think about when you freewheel at 40mph wearing Lycra.

 

[green1]

Something to think about when you freewheel at 40mph wearing Lycra.

I was joking btw.
I have never worn Lycra and never will. I break which ever rule it is. I ride a road bike in baggies, there I said it.

 

[Crackle]

When I went down the Pass I couldn't get past 37 due to cars being in the way, which I was miffed about a I was looking forward to going back down, having climbed it earlier. Ended up doing both sides that day.

I reckon that route is OK. You see a lot of cyclists on that part of the A5 and the 470 up to Llanwrst, which can be fast but there are also sections of cycle path and the fast sections of road are wide. None of it is steep apart from over the pass which is about 10%, steepest bit at the top but that is quite a rewarding climb as the pass is spectacular and there's a cafe at the top or the pen-y-gwryd at the bottom, which is were the first successful Everest expedition was planned. Lots of memorabilia in the hotel bar and the ceiling signed by the expedition members.

 

[noni]

This is interesting stuff. I have checked my route, which goes along the A4086 through PEN-Y-PASS. This apparently is very steep from looking at the contour lines and reading some of the comments on other threads. I'm still in two minds whether to cut this bit out and go through Bethesda towards Capel Curig along the A5 and then miss out Llanberis, or just get a bus there from a B and B so we can check out the slate museum.

My friend pointed out the numerous mountain rescue points along this route. Or.. just see what happens on the day and if we get stuck, find a van?

 

[Crackle]

There's a 6 or 7% climb at it's steepest, probably average of 4 from Bethesda towards Capel Curig. It is easier than the pass but it's still significant. Starts just at the end of Lynn Gwynant and is about 2.7 miles long but gets easier at the end and is a more pleasant climb than Pen Y pass. The pass is about 2.5 miles of significant climbing.

You can see the profile of both climbs below as I specifically went to ride them last year

http://app.strava.com/activities/24478498

First is from Lllanberis up the Pass, then down towards Beddgelert, then turn around to do the climb from Beddgelert back towards Capel Curig and then reverse course back to Llanberis. Should at least give you some idea of the profile around there.

 

[green1]

If you take the Capel Curig route when you get to the bridge at Llyn Ogwen stop and go under it. There is an arch for the original Roman bridge under the current one.

Both routes are worth doing if you have time. As Crackle says Pen Y Pass is only really steep at the top.

 

[Crackle]

I was just thinking. If you're going to Holyhead, you should have climbing legs by the time you come inland. Anglesey is not steep but it's rolling, not enough to tax you overly but enough to condition you.

 

[Dewi]

No real alternative to the A5, always lots of bikes out. Steep downhills are great for overtaking the tourists who don't seem to be able to drive around bends

 

[sddg7tfl]

I'll be taking two bikes this year when i return to wales for a holiday, staying at the basic campsite at Nant Peris.
I plan to explore 20-30 miles of roads around the site by day on roadbike and then sprint around llanberis/dinorwig
slate workings in the evenings on the mtb.
I might even do another snowdon climb (carry and push ).