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Cycling in Gwynedd
Cycle Ride from Felinheli
Coast & Cycleways
An easy ride, much of it along the coast, with fine views across the Menai Straits towards Anglesey and later towards the dramatic skyline of the mountains of the Lleyn peninsula. (Photos of the ride)
Route: Felinheli - Caernarfon - Foryd Bay - Llandwrog - Dinas Dinlle - Groeslon - Caernarfon - Felinheli (For a shorter ride you can start and finish at Caernarfon Castle car park) Map: 50,000 Snowdon No. 115
Distance: 25 miles (add 2-3 miles if you cycle along the beach and back at Dinas Dinlle); 17 miles starting from Caernarfon
Ascent: Mostly level especially along the coast. There is however one short sharp climb near the beginning in order to reach the Lon Las Menai cycleway
Start: The seafront at Felinheli Grid Ref: 522673. From the A55 expressway follow the signs to Felinheli. In the village turn down to the beach (not signposted) at the narrow lane near the lights controlled pelican crossing. (Alternatively you can start the ride from Caernarfon castle car park)
The Ride
Go westward along the seafront at Felinheli, bending Left at the boatyards and climbing steeply for a short distance
Turn Right on to the Lon Las Menai cycleway shortly before T junction
Follow the cycleway to Caernarfon (4 miles). After a mile it goes along the footway by the side of the road for one third of a mile but after crossing a side road near a roundabout it returns to a separate cycleway.
At the end of cycleway go along road for a short distance to a car park near a marina
Continue to large ship's anchor and go through town wall into Church Road (narrow one-way street)
Keep straight ahead at crossroads and continue to castle
Keep Left at Castle and contour Right round castle to car park and harbour
Near the castle cross the harbour entrance by a swing footbridge
Turn Right after the bridge and follow the unfenced lane beside the beach
After nearly 3 miles the road bends inland
Turn Right at T junction
Turn Right at crossroads just after the hamlet of Saron
Turn Right at a T junction on a bend
Ignore Left turn but follow the sign for Llandwrog
Turn Right in village of Llandwrog, signposted Dinas Dinlle
Turn Right at T junction and visit the beach at Dinas Dinlle
Return to Llandwrog remembering to Turn First Left
Go past Harp Hotel and Turn Left into very narrow lane just after church (marked single track road)
[Alternative detour: To visit the Glynllifon country park do not turn Left after church but carry on until the main A499 road is reached, where turn Right and then Left into the country park (see below for details). To return to the main route Turn Right at the main road on leaving Glynllifon and next Right into Lon Cefn Glyn.]
Turn Right at T junction just by a post box
Keeping slightly Left cross the main road and enter lane called Lon Cefn Glyn
Go straight across the A487 at a roundabout
Turn Left on to Lon Eifion cycleway just before the Tafarn Pennionyn pub
The cycleway crosses a main road near a roundabout
Follow cycleway to Caernarfon where it joins a road leading to the castle
Go Left round the castle
Re-enter town through town wall passing imposing court building
Turn second Left and continue straight ahead till you return to marina
Retrace route via Lon Las Menai to Felinheli
Points of Interest:
Felinheli: Formerly known as Porth Dinorwic, Felinheli is a popular sailing centre with an attractive sea front and views across the Menai Straits to one of the most unspoilt parts of Anglesey. For further information about the cycleway between Felinheli and Caernarfon click our page Lon Las Menai Cycleway.
Caernarfon: ancient town with impressive walls and castle. Parts of the town centre have been tastefully restored.
Foryd Bay: It is very pleasant to cycle along the quiet open lane right alongside the beach with stunning views towards the mountains of Lleyn and Snowdonia. There is a pleasant picnic area near the beginning of the bay proper. After leaving the coast for a while you return to a marshy section that is good for observing sea birds.
Llandwrog: a small village with character
Dinas Dinlle: A striking green hill with hill fort dominates the western end. There are expansive sea views towards Anglesey and Lleyn. You can cycle for over a mile along the beach and then turn inland shortly to reach Caernarfon airport and museum.
Glynllifon country park: elegant, landscaped grounds and gardens with craft centre (charge for admission)
Lon Las Menai and Lon Eifion are both attractive cycleways
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