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Cycling in Gwynedd
Cycle Ride from Bangor
A ride by an enchanting cycleway (Lon Ogwen) that takes you from the coast to one of the most mountainous centres of Snowdonia. The return is mainly by rural lanes or you can simply do a there and back on the cycleway and so avoid going through Bethesda on the A5.
Route: Bangor - Porth Penrhyn - Tregarth - Ogwen Bank - Ogwen Cottage - Ogwen Bank - Bethesda - Llandygai - Bangor Photos of the Ride
Distance: 24 miles. Much of the climb is gradual but the last third of the outward ride has some steep sections, especially near the end. The return is mostly downhill though there is a climb out of Bethesda.
Ascent: 440 m. The first section of the cycleway has a gradual, scarcely perceptible, ascent. The second half has several steep bits but they are mostly short, though there is a longish one near the end. The return is mainly downhill though there is a climb out of Bethesda. For your own sake and for that of other cyclists and walkers it is essential to take care on some of the steep, sporty descents on the cycleway since they are often followed by sharp bends.
Start: Bangor Railway station or free car parks on Bangor seafront (OS 50,000 map No. 115 Grid Ref. 587726) or free car parking at Porth Penrhyn (Grid Ref. 593727)
The Ride
Leaving station Go Straight Across cross roads at traffic lights, signposted City Centre and A487
At mini-roundabout Keep Left signposted Conwy A55
Keep on this wide main road with university buildings on your left. The road bends right near a boatyard and you continue along the seafront.
Opposite the Nelson pub you can join cycle track on your left
Turn Left and descend to Porth Penrhyn, signposted Porth Penrhyn, and turn almost immediate Left again
Go ahead a little way and the start of Lon Ogwen cycleway is on your right
Continue on cycleway for 4 miles, crossing two roads
Turn Right at road at end of cycleway and follow this road through the village of Tregarth, passing the Pant yr Ardd pub
11/3 miles after the pub Turn Right at telephone kiosk signposted cycle route and Felin Fawr workshops
Keep on cycleway passing Ogwen Bank waterfall and crossing a lane
Turn Right into unfenced lane at end of cycleway and go to Ogwen Cottage where the lane joins the A5
Return by lane and cycleway to Ogwen Bank
Turn Right at Ogwen Bank, go over bridge and shortly Turn Left at A5
Go through the centre of Bethesda on the A5
Turn Right just after a large red chapel on your right signposted Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen
Turn first Left into Ffordd Coetmor
Go Straight Across at cross roads
Turn Left at a T junction on bend and go through the village of Tal-y-Bont
Turn Left at T junction
Shortly leave road and Go Right through a kissing gate on to a path signposted cycle route 5
Turn sharp Left at Llandygai church signposted cycle route
Bend Right following cycle route signs
Turn Right at main road and follow the off-road cycle route, Turning Right again past cricket ground
Join the road at the black & white roundabout and follow the signs for Bangor
Points of Interest
Bangor is a university town on the Menai Straits. If time allows a visit to the pier is a must - turn right at the boatyard and it is reached after only a quarter of a mile. Light refreshments are served in the pavilion cafe at the end, where the views of the Menai Straits are stunning.
Lon Ogwen Cycleway is in two halves. In the first you cycle for over two miles alongside a stream through a delightful dell that becomes a little gorge at one point. Eventually you reach open countryside with fine views. The second half of Lon Ogwen, reached after going through Tregarth, passes through an abandoned quarry and has some steep sections. Leaving the quarry for a moment you pass the Ogwen Bank beauty spot where the river Ogwen cascades over rocks. After more climbing you reach an unfenced ancient and virtually traffic free lane, which has spectacular views of the mountains and eventually the Ogwen Falls. The first mile or two is easy going giving cyclists a chance to drink in the views, but there is a steep section near the end.
Ogwen Cottage is a mountain pursuits centre at the top of the Nant Ffrancon pass, one of the most alpine parts of Snowdonia. It is opposite the end of Lake Ogwen.
Llandygai is a quiet, pretty village on the outskirts of Bangor.
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