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Cycling in Snowdonia
Cycle Ride from Llanrwst
A ride that visits the attractive villages of Betws-y-Coed and Capel Garmon, passing along the edge of the Fairy Glen gorge and with a superb mountain panorama near the end.
Route: Llanrwst - Betws-y-Coed - Fairy Glen - Penmachno - Capel Garmon - Llanrwst (Photos of the Ride)
Distance: 14-15 miles
Ascent: 240m moderately hilly with one or two steep sections on the ascent to the village of Capel Garmon
Start: Free Car Park on right as you enter Llanrwst on A470 from Conwy direction (Grid Ref: 796618) or railway station
The Ride
Exiting the car park or station turn Right at main road (A470) and follow the A470 through Llanrwst as it bends left and right with the small market square on your right
Turn Right at bridge over river Conwy
Turn Left in less than ½ mile at B5106 signposted Betws-y-Coed
After 3 miles enter Betws-y-Coed and Turn Left at Pont-y-Pair bridge and Left again on to the A5.
Turn Right just before the large Cotswold shop
Turn Right after 1 mile at the A470
Turn Left after 1/3 mile into lane and cross river by a bridge.
Keep Left when forest is reached and soon the Fairy Glen gorge is on your left (at a lay-by near the top of your ascent pause to admire the cascading river near Conwy Falls)
At Penmachno go straight across the B4406 into lane opposite
(OR optional detour: Turn Left at B4406 and go ½ mile to Conwy Falls Hotel where for a small charge you can take a short walk down into the glen to see Conwy Falls. Then retrace your steps to the crossroads at Penmachno and Turn Left)
After 1½ miles Turn Left at T junction and shortly go straight across the A5
Continue on lane until village of Capel Garmon is reached
Through the village, past the White Horse Inn, ignore left turn and follow sign for Llanrwst
At A470 Turn Right and return to Llanrwst in just over 2 miles (using the cycle path when it is opened in 2009)
Points of Interest
Llanrwst is a small market town. The architect Inigo Jones was born nearby and is reputed to have designed the town's elegant bridge over the river Conwy. In the 18th and 19th centuries a local family of clocksmiths were celebrated for their long case (grandfather) clocks. You pass an example of one of their clocks in the market place tower.
Betws-y-Coed is Snowdonia's tourist honey-pot. Despite the bustle its attractions are undeniable. With its wooded hills and often foaming river it is easy to understand why it has long been popular with artists. Be sure to pause at Pont-y-Pair bridge to regard the views.
The Fairy Glen & Conwy Falls: Your ascent of the road by the side of the glen is accompanied by the sounds of the cascading river in the gorge below. When the B4406 is reached you might consider making a half mile detour by turning left and going to the Conwy Falls Hotel where for a small charge you can make a short walk on foot down into the glen to see the impressive Conwy Falls.
Capel Garmon is a picturesque hamlet with (visibility permitting) a magnificent panorama of Snowdonia's peaks.
Refreshments
Conwy Falls Hotel near Penmachno
White Horse Inn, Capel Garmon
Various places in Betws-y-Coed (Caban Pont-y-Pair is popular with cyclists)
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