Eryri offers cycling at every level of ambition and fitness. The national park and its surroundings contain dedicated off-road trail centres with world-class mountain biking, quiet lanes threading through dramatic valley scenery, long-distance routes along former railway lines, and road climbs that challenge the strongest cyclists. The Mawddach Trail, the Lôn Las Cymru, and the trails of Coed y Brenin are among the finest cycling experiences in Wales.
Coed y Brenin — Mountain Biking
Coed y Brenin Forest Park near Dolgellau was Wales's first purpose-built mountain bike centre and remains one of the best in Britain. Over 100km of waymarked trails cross the forest, ranging from gentle family routes on forest roads to demanding technical trails with features and switchbacks designed for experienced riders. The flagship trail — the Beast, a 38km epic with 1,400m of climbing — is regarded as one of the finest purpose-built mountain bike routes in Wales. The purpose-built visitor centre has bike hire, a café and workshops.
Mawddach Trail
The 14km Mawddach Trail follows the southern shore of the Mawddach Estuary from Dolgellau to Barmouth along a converted railway path. Almost entirely flat and surfaced, it is one of the finest family cycling routes in Wales. The estuary scenery — mudflats, herons, Cadair Idris rising steeply to the north — is spectacular. The route crosses the Barmouth railway bridge, one of the longest wooden railway viaducts in Wales, to reach the coastal town. Bikes can be hired in both Dolgellau and Barmouth.
Lôn Las Cymru
The Lôn Las Cymru (Route 8) is a long-distance cycling route crossing Wales from north to south, passing through Eryri via the Conwy Valley, Betws-y-Coed and Llanwrtyd Wells. The northern section through the national park uses quiet lanes and passes through some of the finest valley scenery in Wales. It is waymarked throughout and suitable for touring cyclists with loaded bikes.
Road Cycling
The mountain passes of Eryri offer serious road cycling. The A4086 through Llanberis Pass, the A498 over the Aberglaslyn Pass, and the spectacular A470 along the Conwy Valley all provide challenging ascents with outstanding scenery. The Llanberis Pass — climbing from the lake at Llanberis to Pen y Gwryd at 360m — is one of the most dramatic road cycling climbs in Wales.
Independently written — Snowdon.com