Best roads in Wales? (and places to stay)

[Adrien2207]

Hi Phers,

Planning our Wales Weekender 2019 and wanted your opinions on the below itinerary. I tried to mix A- and B-roads as well as the usual scenic single tracks (e.g. Abergwesyn).

Any views, any roads missing or suggestions? (and if anyone has any recommendation re. restaurants and hotels, am keen too

• DAY 1* = Bridgend > Treorchy > A4069 > Old Military rd to Tirabad > Abergwesyn > Elan Valley > Devil's Bridge > A44 > B4518

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bryncethin/Treorch...

• DAY 2* = Snowdonia... This one is a bit of a left-field itinerary. I included the usual suspects like B4391, Llanberis pass and A470, but am slightly unsure about the bits East of Snowdonia (e.g. B5113 - A544 - are these any good?). Am in 2 minds about the EVO Triangle.. I know they are great roads, but often controlled!! Any views?

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Ty'n+y+Cornel+Hote...

• DAY 3* = back South via B4518 > Builth Wells B4520 > B4560

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Bala/Machynlleth/L...

Many thanks!

[Red Devil]

You have most bases covered.

You're only doing one side of the EVO Triangle.
I wouldn't omit it: just don't give in to temptation on that section.

The only change I would suggest you might consider is on Day 3.
Go via Bwlch-y-Groes (in English, Pass of the Cross: aka Hellfire Pass) south of Bala.
https://goo.gl/maps/bJBxW3dDjZw

Great views/scenery:
Looking north - https://goo.gl/maps/yHz6jFoh5uE2
Looking south - https://goo.gl/maps/h4yP68yuVMn
(scroll through the latter 180 degrees to see the Cross).

[ARHarh]

if you want to see some proper scenery turn of at Dinas Mawddwy and head to lake Vyrnmy over https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bwlch_y_Groes then on to Llanfyllin.

[Adrien2207]

Many thanks! Will add to the plan.

Would you have any recommendations re. Accommodation or restaurants?

[Byker28i]

Evo triangle is filled with police most weekends

[s70rmp]

This is a great place, really nice rooms and excellent food

http://www.crossfoxes.co.uk/

Brithdir, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2SG

[Adrien2207]

Byker28i said:

Evo triangle is filled with police most weekends

Indeed.. that's my concern. I have included an "alternative" with the B5113 - A544 - But are these any good? (I am conscious those will not be as good as the EVO roads... but at least will be less "busy").

[Adrien2207]

s70rmp said:

This is a great place, really nice rooms and excellent food

http://www.crossfoxes.co.uk/

Brithdir, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2SG

Thanks for the recommendation! I have heard of it but never been.

[LarsG]

Had no idea people just went out for a drive anymore.

In th 70's and 80's my dad would ask if we wanted to go for a drive..... a whole day in the height of summer cooped up in a Ford Cortina, or later in the Granada..... Then he'd stop off at a pub, have a couple of pints and drive home,

[twibs]

10 of us did a wales weekender and stopped here https://www.carregbran.co.uk/ it has a large car park and they allowed us to cordon a section off .

We enjoyed the B5105 and the Llanberis pass

[Adrien2207]

Thanks for the recommendation! B5105 looks like a good alternative to the EVO T... does anybody know any others in the area?

Will be in there on a Saturday in June so the EVO Triangle is likely to be heavily "patrolled"... spoils the fun...

[Red Devil]

ARHarh said:

if you want to see some proper scenery turn of at Dinas Mawddwy and head to lake Vyrnmy over https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bwlch_y_Groes then on to Llanfyllin.

That route would be on Day 1. I included Bwlch-y-Groes (the full monty, rather than half of it) in my amendment to Day 3
If the OP has enough time he could add in Lake Vyrnwy. Turn left at the cross, loop round the lake, then return to the junction and head on down to Dinas.

[springfan62]

ARHarh said:

if you want to see some proper scenery turn of at Dinas Mawddwy and head to lake Vyrnmy over https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bwlch_y_Groes then on to Llanfyllin.

Thats a scenic but very narrow route, not great driving really.

I much prefer the A4212 Bala to Trawsfynydd road if you want good driving roads.

[ARHarh]

springfan62 said:

Thats a scenic but very narrow route, not great driving really.

I much prefer the A4212 Bala to Trawsfynydd road if you want good driving roads.

I agree a much better driving road . But the challenge of a narrow mountain pass has its own appeal.

[Red Devil]

springfan62 said:

ARHarh said:

if you want to see some proper scenery turn of at Dinas Mawddwy and head to lake Vyrnmy over https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bwlch_y_Groes then on to Llanfyllin.

Thats a scenic but very narrow route, not great driving really.

I much prefer the A4212 Bala to Trawsfynydd road if you want good driving roads.

The A4212 is already on the OP's Day 2 route. Keep up at the back.

ARHarh said:

I agree a much better driving road . But the challenge of a narrow mountain pass has its own appeal.

+1

Driving is not all about WOT. Why go to Wales if you're not going to enjoy the scenery?
Bwlch-y-Groes is the second highest pass in Wales.*
Austin and Standard Triumph used to use it to test their prototype cars' hill climbing ability.
The panoramic view north from the summit is worth it imo.

 * The highest, by a mere 4 metres, is Gospel Pass (Welsh: Bwlch yr Efengyl) in the Brecon Beacons.

[kiethton]

Vs. the Evo triangle I personally prefer the kiethton triangle, best suited to smaller, narrower cars and good in either direction (I personally prefer anti-clockwise);

B4520 - B4519 - A483

A full triangle is about 20 miles and takes about 18 minutes

[Kewy]

Watching because I want to do a north Wales road trip in the next month or so.

Spent a lot of time driving round south Wales, Beacons and Pembrokeshire, but not done north yet

[ARHarh]

Nearly at the top of Bwlch-y-Groes

[Red Devil]

That's the road to/from Lake Vyrnwy.
https://goo.gl/maps/b2ECX8Rkzs42
Turn right at the T-junction to reach the top of the pass.
https://goo.gl/maps/5ay3ZRNCPQ32

[ARHarh]

Red Devil said:

That's the road to/from Lake Vyrnwy.
https://goo.gl/maps/b2ECX8Rkzs42
Turn right at the T-junction to reach the top of the pass.
https://goo.gl/maps/5ay3ZRNCPQ32

It is