Just got back from riding Cycling UK’s Traws Eryri route across Snowdonia over 4 days and thought I’d share how it went, in case anyone’s planning it.
Day 1 – Machynlleth to Dolgellau. A nice warm-up with long rolling hills heading towards the coast. We stayed in a B&B in Dolgellau and the pub was very much needed.
Day 2 – Dolgellau to Ffestiniog. Over towards Trawsfynydd reservoir and on to Ffestiniog. Saddle sores were starting to make themselves known by this point 😅
Day 3 – Ffestiniog to Betws-y-Coed. The hardest day by far. The climb up into the slate country is brutal, but the descent into the forest afterwards is one of the best bits of the whole route. If you’re staying in Ffestiniog, the detour to see the slate workings is worth it.
Day 4 – Betws-y-Coed to Conwy. Dead legs, but over the moors and through the Ogwen Valley is a cracking way to finish.
A few tips if you’re planning it:
4 days felt about right for us, with enough time to enjoy it without rushing
Dolgellau, Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed all work well as overnight stops
[tyre or bike tip, e.g. what width you’d recommend]
[anything you’d do differently]
I filmed the whole thing if anyone wants to see what the terrain’s like: https://youtu.be/xEWdL0BCezg?is=6fTNvurIA2kp26qE
by shadow-assassin-