PORTHMADOG

A brilliant four-leg blast from the Welsh coast to the hills and back again

IS THERE A better way to spend a May Bank Holiday than beside the sea? Well, yes – if you’re riding this route. From the seaside resort of Porthmadog, it loops into the glorious foothills of Snowdonia, heading further inland to scenic Lake Vyrnwy, before clambering through the rugged peaks north of Machynlleth to return to the seaside at Barmouth. It’s a route that’s fun whenever you ride it – but on a spring Bank Holiday with the sun high in the sky, it’s as close to heaven as it gets in North Wales.

STAGE ONE Porthmadog to Pentrefoelas 40 miles

Leave Porthmadog on the A498 to Beddgelert. After five miles, turn right onto the A4085 to Penrhyndeudraeth. Just after the strange bell-tower monument in Garreg, turn left on the B4410 to Llanfrothen. At the A487 T-junction, turn left to Dolgellau. At the top of the hill, turn left on the A470 to Betws-y-coed. Coming into Ffestiniog, turn right on the B4391 to Bala. After three miles, turn left on the B4407 to Ysbyty Ifan. At the A5 T-junction, turn right to Llangollen.

Morning coffee: Dragonfly Café A few miles after Pentrefoelas, on a long straight, you’ll see the Dragonfly Café on the left. There’s a good car park and decent cup of tea: an ideal place for a break, sitting on the outside decking looking out over the fishing lakes.

STAGE TWO Pentrefoelas to Lake Vyrnwy 45 miles

Carry on along the A5 for another mile and a half, then turn right on the B4501 to Bala. At the A4212 T-junction, turn left to go into Bala (it’s a few miles) and go straight over the staggered crossroads on the B4391 to Llangynog. In Penybontfawr look for the sharp right-hand turn for the B4396 to Lake Vyrnwy. At the T-junction in Abertridwr, turn right and keep following the road to do a lap of Lake Vyrnwy.

Lunch: Artisans Where the road loops round to the Lake Vyrnwy dam, carry straight on and Artisans is just there on your left – a RIDE favourite stopping place with a good line in cakes and sandwiches. www.artisans-lakevyrnwy.co.uk