Sustrans 8 ( Lôn Las Cymru) Caernarfon to Criccieth

[KneesUp]

Has anyone cycled this route? Sustrans describe Lôn Las Cymru as a whole as "one of the toughest of all the long distance routes on the National Cycle Network" but this section looks fairly benign (300m of climb in 22 miles or so - that counts as 'flat' round here)

Is it do-able on a hybrid/tourer (700x38c) , or is part of the reason it's considered so tough because it's fairly gnarly?

We're in the area later in the year so I'm thinking that perhaps I could get on the bike at the castle at Caernarfon and make my way to the beach at Criccieth whilst the rest of the family look around the castle and drive down to meet me, but if it's going to take me hours because the paths are all rutted it's a none starter. Also, if you have ridden it, can you remember how well signed it is? I don't have GPS and my otherwise perfectly serviceable OS maps pre-date the trail so if possible I'd like to wing it

Ta.

 

[palinurus]

I did this some years ago, from the Caernafon end most of it is flat railway path. The surface was fairly good at the time, I did it on an Airnimal Joey (24" wheel folder- so narrower tyres than you will use) and it was no problem at all. Bit lumpier between the end of the railway path and Criccieth but all good surfaces as far as I remember.

 

[palinurus]

Lôn Las Cymru is hilly but Caernafon- Criccieth, the Anglesea bit and the Mawddach estuary section are easy.

 

[palinurus]

You can't go wrong on the railway path bit, can't remember how good the signing is beyond that. I've probably still got the Sustrans map if you want to borrow it.

 

[Richard Fairhurst]

It's pretty easy north of Criccieth. The surface is well-laid gravel - my hybrid (Ridgeback Velocity) coped fine. I personally think the railway path section is a bit boring, but that said the parents-in-law loved it. I remember signposting being fine from Criccieth to Caernarfon, but a bit erratic on Anglesey - but, that said, it might have been fixed since.

My favourite short ride around there is NCN 82 south from Bangor - a lovely ride into Snowdonia, and again, doable on a hybrid.

 

[KneesUp]

Thanks both - especially @palinurus for the offer of the map. I know the area fairly well so I think I'll be ok as long as there are some signs. Just got to get my roof bars fixed now ...