NORTH WALES
A slice of mountain madness, low-flying jet planes, golden beaches and some truly exceptional riding
NORTH WALES HAS cracking roads and scenery contained within a fairly compact area — a decent 200-mile loop is easily managed in a day but to make the most of the some of the sights and things to do, why rush it? From the steep climb out of Llanberis carving upwards between stone walls and the sheer sides of the Pen-ygwryd pass, this route then drops haphazardly down onto the fast and flowing A4086 for a sweeping rush alongside the Gwryd river into Capel Curig, and onto the A5 to Betws-y-coed for a brew and a slice of cake in the town. Then the smooth, open flow of the A470 past the Zip World Slate Caverns if you’re feeling brave, and the mountains of glittering slate overspill at Blaenau Ffestiniog — where a diversion takes you along the hilariously loopy B4391 rushing towards Bala. Across open moorland and the occasional patchwork of conifer plantations, it’s onto the A4212 looping around Llyn Celyn and the lost village of Capel Celyn beneath its flat, calm water. The B4391 romps south switching landscapes between high moorland, low woods and views down the valley. A diversion to meditate on the majestic stillness of Lake Vyrnwy, with its grand Victorian dam of 25 stone arches and overflowing water is worth the trip. Then for a more modern thrill, try the Mach Loop along the A487 with its parade of low-flying jet fighters, before winding down to the coast and finishing up at the long golden beach at Black Rock Sands. This is one of the few beaches it’s legal to ride along (not recommended for bikes with chains instead of shaft drive though).
And that’s just one loop — there are plenty of other roads to ride, and don’t forget the walk (or train) up Snowdon, visiting Caernarfon Castle or the village at Portmeirion. And then there’s the rest of Wales...
‘That’s just one loop — there are plenty of other roads to ride’