Please note, there is a typo on in the distance/elevation for this ride. The true distance is 33km / 20 miles and around 450m total climbing. So somewhat shorter and considerably less hillier than it says in the book. Good news if you don’t like hills!
OS Map (zoom in for more detail):
Download file for GPS
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
I rode this on 23rd August (pm) for my 22nd LLW. I started and finished at Penmaenpool in the small public car-park close to the George III pub. Including a loop through a busy summer’s day Barmouth town I logged 33km with 330m of height gain.
The road from Dolgellau along the slopes of Cadair Idris thoroughly deserves the sublime tag given to it by Jack. On the lovely summer’s day on which I rode it, the scenic reveal across Barmouth estuary just after the lakes was utterly breathtaking.
“Gair i’r gall” – if doing this ride on a busy summer’s day then make sure you have a bell on your bike to alert the many casual walkers you’ll find blocking the path across Barmouth bridge!
I did this ride on a November day, even with cloud hiding Cadair Idris the views were stunning. The decent on wet leafy roads kept me concentrating. Looking forward to doing this on a clear day.
What an incredible ride. Don’t let the relatively short distance put you off, if you’re a mile muncher. We parked in a free layby just outside Barmouth, and rode about half a mile on the A494 to the cycle path over the railway bridge. The Mawddach Trail is relaxing and easy. Stopped at Dolgellau for a late lunch, (the Y Sospan, but I wouldn’t really recommend it). Then up toward Cader Idris (I think that’s the Welsh spelling) for some incredible views. It seemed that we had to stop every 2 minutes for more photos. A lovely part of the ride, even though it’s uphill. Then the easy return downhill and back along a short section of the Mawddach Trail to Barmouth for a coffee. Fantastic ride. Thanks Jack. Steve & Sylvia
Hi . Just back from an October sunny day ride. Agreed that it is one of the best we have ever done. Recommend the George 111 for a coffee stop ( or meal/ overnight if preferred!). Great views and feeling of space and isolation under Cader Idris. We had MTB e-bikes.