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Cycling in Conwy
Cycle Ride - Llandudno Junction and the lower Conwy Valley
A ride across the estuary to visit Conwy quay and the quiet lanes and villages of the Conwy valley.
Route: Llandudno Junction - Conwy - Rowen - Pontwgan - Henryd - Conwy - Llandudno Junction Photos of the ride
Distance: 14 miles
Ascent: 220m There are 3 steep ascents in the first half of the ride but none is very long and they can easily be walked if your gears or puff are not equal to the task. The last part of the ride is predominantly downhill.
Start: Llandudno Junction Railway Station. There is onroad car parking in a cul-de-sac nearby (or offroad underneath the flyover) Grid Ref: 788781. The cul-de-sac is reached by driving in the Llandudno and Deganwy direction from the roundabout at the end of Conwy cob and turning first left. Llandudno Junction is less than a mile from Conwy and less than three miles from the resort of Llandudno.
The Ride
Turn Left from station forecourt (if starting from the station)
Fork Left at mini-roundabout near Quicksave and soon go on pavement under a short tunnel to pass under a road and then go back on road
Turn Right on to a ramp immediately after passing under a flyover
(If starting from the cul-de-sac join the ride here. The ramp is opposite the bus depot.)
Turn sharp Right at top of ramp on to pavement signposted cycle route 5
The footpath soon descends on to Conwy cob (if you wish to cycle on the seaward edge of the cob go follow the first path Right)
At the Conwy end of the cob go up a ramp on to the pavement of the bridge over the river Conwy (this is narrow and it is necessary to dismount if you encounter pedestrians)
Turn Right at the end of the bridge and go down on to Conwy Quay
Turn Left under arch in town wall just before the Liverpool Arms
Go straight across the crossroads (look out for traffic coming from your right)
Continue up High Street (one way traffic)
Turn Right at the T Junction at the top of High Street (one way traffic)
Turn 1st Left into Upper Gate Street
Go under the arch in the town wall and fork Left into St. Agnes Road
Fork Right into Hendre Road after ¼ mile signposted Hendre etc.
Continue on this road for ¾ mile (ignoring left turn at white cottages)
Turn Left soon after passing a chapel (signposted Rowen)
Turn Right at T junction
Turn Left up very steep hill opposite Ty Newydd signposted Rowen
Turn Right after ¾ mile by red post box
Turn Left at T junction after 1¼ miles and drop down to village of Rowen
Turn Left at T junction
Turn Right on leaving the village just before Post Office
After ¾ mile pass through hamlet of Pontwgan (it is worth diverting right in the hamlet and going 20 yards to look over the bridge at the little gorge and the old mill - see photo - and then return)
Turn 1st Left into lane after leaving hamlet and head towards a white house
Turn 1st Left after white house and pass Cartref Isa
Turn Left at T junction
Turn Right after one tenth of a mile
Turn Right at T junction and soon pass fish farm on your left
Turn Left after nearly ½ mile signposted Henryd and cycle route
Keep Right at post box going in the opposite direction to that earlier
Turn Right at T junction by Ty Newydd signposted Henryd
Turn Left in the village by school
Go straight across crossroads into Madoc Road in Gyffin, which is on the outskirts of Conwy
Turn Right at mini-roundabout at Conwy Castle and then Left to cross road coming up from quay and go on to pavement to join cycleway/footpath over bridge
Descend on to cob and retrace route to start
Points of Interest
Conwy is the only town in the U.K. that still has its medieval walls more or less complete (Berwick-on-Tweed is the only other town with a complete circle of walls but they were substantially altered in the 17th century.) You exit Conwy by an arch next to Llewelyn's tower, the most substantial of the wall's many towers. The walls can be ascended at this point. Conwy quay is popular with visitors but is will soon undergo considerable enlargement as part of a regeneration project.
The Conwy Valley has attractive and varied views.
Rowen is a picturesque village with colourful gardens in spring and summer.
Pontwgan is a small hamlet. It is worth pausing at the bridge at few yards to the right of the route in order to admire the view of the converted mill in its mini-gorge.
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