| 1. A circular route from Caernarfon of just over 40 miles with a total ascent of about 400m, mostly gentle with just a few short steep sections. It uses a roughly equal mix of major roads, minor roads and off-road cycle tracks. Good surfaces throughout and suitable for road bikes or mountian bikes. As there is a significant amount on main roads it is not suitable for children unless very traffic aware, but for adults the roads are quiet enough that traffic is never a problem nor a distraction. The scenery, particularly on the first half is magnificant with great views of Snowdon and passing through the pretty village of Beddgelert. There are also impressive cliffs at Tremadog where, in good weather, there will almost certainly be climbers practising their vertical art high above the road. The last third of the route is on a wide fast cycle route through fields and trees, finishing alongside the steam trains of the Welsh Highland Railway. The start and finish point is the terminus of the Welsh Highland Railway in Caernarfon. This is a few hundred yards from the castle following the river bank upstream. Free roadside parking is available for a dozen or so cars and is rarely full. Failing that there is a large chargeable car park at the castle. From the railway station set out along the cycle path, initially following the line of the railway roughly south. Watch out for the point where you cross the river - it can be seen through the trees on your right but is quite easy to miss. Leave the cycle track at the first opportunity after the river, crossing the railway and picking up the signs for Lon Gwyfrai. Follow this on minor roads through to the A4085 Caernarfon to Beddgelert road where the cycle route ends. Turn right onto the A4085 and follow it past Llyn Gwellyn through the hamlet of Rhyd Ddu and then relax and cruise the continuous 2 mile downhill into Beddgelert. Turn right over the bridge and stop at the excellent ice cream shop on the right. (If the weather is cold they do pizzas next door!). Continue past The Royal Goat on the A498 towards Porthmadog. This road runs gently downhill through the gorgeous Aberglaslyn pass. Continue on this road until after a sharp right bend by a farm the Tremadoc crags appear high on the right above the trees. Maybe stop for refreshments at Eric's cafe. Continue straight forwards through Tremadoc and watch out for the right turn onto a minor road to pick up the Lon Eifion cycle route (Route 8). This is just before a new roundabout. Follow through a school car park then pick up a gravel track which runs gently up the hillside keeping away from the road. This all too soon meets up with more minor roads. Continue to follow Route 8 along a series of minor roads, through Golan, being careful to take the right fork in Golan (left fork is also Route 8). You then touch the A487 and turn right towards Caernarfon for a few hundred yards before turning off right at the first junction towards Garndolbenmaen. (If you accidentally take the left fork in Golan it just brings you onto the A487 earlier and you stay on it longer). Follow minor roads through Garndolbenmaen still following Route 8 until after a downhill section you arrive at "give way" markings at a junction. Route 8 is signed right up a steep hill but I recommend turning left. After 100 yards go straight across the A487, and after another 50 yards cross a stream and turn right onto the Lon Eifion cycle track (tarmaced). From here it is a simple matter of following the track for about 11 miles back to the railway station in Caernarfon. |