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Glorious Bike Rides
Glorious Bike Rides
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
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Ridden on 23rd April, 2016 – my fourth Welsh lost lane. I parked at Gorwelion visitor centre just at the edge of Bala. On a beautiful day, such as the day I rode, this is a terrific route with two long climbs up into the Berwyns. I have also ridden in these hills in stormy weather and that’s best avoided if you can as the hilltops are very exposed. I rode 57km with 850m of elevation gain.
The highlights of this ride are the two stupendous climbs on some lovely mountain roads. Ride on a clear day if you can to get the full impact of the view from the top of Bwlch-Y-Groes. The downside is that these hills also attract noisy convoys of motor-bikes.
“Gair i’r gall” – Take time at the end of the Vyrnwy dam to visit the RSPB hides and marvel at the variety of bird-life in this area.
2nd ride from the book – rode this today 05-07-2016. Fantastic fun. Great climbs (only had to walk 2 short sections) and great views. Recommended.
We rode this route, or half of it anyway, on a blustery cloudy day in June 2025. Starting at a campsite near Bala added 4 miles on the busy A494 to each end of the ride. The climb up Cwm Hirnant is challenging but rideable with the right pace and mindset. The descent down the other side is wonderful, but not so thrilling when we had to ride back up it later in the day! 15% gradient! Unfortunately the road around the West side of Lake Vyrnwy was completely closed due to storm damage, at the boatyard. Having no other options, we retraced our steps, completing the steep climb up to the top of Cwm Hirnant and the exhilarating descent, in misty rain, on the deserted road, reaching over 42mph. Definitely hair raising! (if I had any!) We’ll come back to try the complete route, but not today. We’re off to route 7, from the same Lost Lanes book. Steve & Sylvia.