North Wales Roadtrip Diary - Summary and Advice
Discussion
Hello everyone!
This will be my first post on PistonHeads so I hope everything is in order and in line with forum rules.
In June I took my Clio RS200 for a solo roadtrip around North Wales. I had an absolute blast, along with some sketchy moments as all of the roads I drove were new to me and I didn't know fully what to expect. I therefore wanted to write this post to offer those who are new to the area some up to date advice on what roads should, in some circumstances, be avoided and what ones cannot be missed. I'll also mention some roads that I only partly explored but could well continue to reward if followed.
I'll keep any images I use to illustrate the roads light as I don't want to spoil the experience for those new to the area. If no images are attached under the road I'm discussing it will be because the GoPro was not set up at that time or it had sadly run out of charge.
B4396 beginning at Porth-y-Waen, connecting to the B4391, terminating at Bala (where I would be staying):
The B4396 is pretty placid and has a familiar B road feel - a rough road surface in places and a little bumpy overall. It's flanked by farmers fields pretty much the whole way.
The B4391 starts off the same but gets really exciting coming out of Llanynog. You gain altitude quickly, heading up and out of the valley. Some sections are very steep and were tough for some of the motorhomes I was stuck behind... Coming from the South like I was, you'll have sheer drops to your left at times and stunning views across the hills. Once at the top, there are some scattered gravel lay-bys you can use for photos. The best picture opportunity in my opinion comes when you hit the Pennlyn Forest View Point. From there the road meanders through some stunning heathland before descending. Some steep and very tight bends follow before the road begins to level out in the direction of Bala. This doesn't appear to be a road you'll be able to stretch your cars legs on often - guaging by the traffic around me that day, the B4391 serves as the main scenic commuter route into Bala.
B4501 beginning at Frong-goch and terminating at the A5
I didn't have this section of the B4501 marked as one to explore but it served as a main route out of Bala and from Google street view imagery it looked like it could offer some thrills. In reality, this section of road ranges from narrow to very narrow, leading to some hairy moments with oncoming cars if you're pushing on. The views as you gain altitude are good but with visibility also being a challenge at some points my eyes were focused mostly on the road ahead and not out of the window.
B4501 beginning at Cerrigydrudion and terminating at the A543 T junction
Those in the know will recognise this as the first section of the revered (or infamous, depending on your perspective) EVO Triangle, so named for being a section of road which the staff of EVO Magazine would regularly use during road car tests. As of June, it's in need of a good resurfacing - no major potholes are present but the top layers of tarmac are showing lots of cracking and erosion. This isn't bad enough to stop you from enjoying the road though and it is thoroughly worth a visit - most of the road is set on an incline, which made things challenging for the Clio (160lb of torque will do that I guess) and it's worth noting that the entire section is dotted with average speed cameras set to the national speed limit for an unlit single carriage way road - 60mph. Plenty of fun can still be had well below this speed though with lots of undulations, elevation changes and one particular twisty section which jumps out at you as come toward Pont yr Alwen.
A543 beginning at T junction with B4501 and terminating at the A5/Pentrefoelas
This is the second leg of the EVO Triangle, forming the left flank of the route when looked at on a map. It's a complete contrast to the first leg; the A543 is set amongst wide open heathland and farmland, offering views for miles at many points and fantastic visibility, helping you safely plan any exuberant driving ahead of time. It's a little bumpy on occasion with one gnarly compression zone immediately after the short stone bridge that crosses Afon Alwen. Like the B4501, the entire road is monitored by average speed cameras but there's still plenty of fun to be had below the speed limit.
Parked up to admire the view before pushing on down to Pentrefoelas
A494 beginning at the A5 and terminating at the A470
This wasn't a road I had pegged for a visit before heading to Wales but I used it in exchange of the B5401 after wanting a smoother and wider commuting road in and out of Bala. I would use the section south of Lake Bala later in the week when visiting the Mach Loop. This road holds a special place in my heart. I expected a relatively dreary A road full of traffic. Whether it be luck or just the time of day (mostly afternoons and evenings) I had the section of road North of Bala to myself on multiple occasions. I got to know it well enough to extract all of the Clio's ability at multiple points and fell in love with its combination of long sweeping bends, tighter sections, mellow gradient and good visibility, all of which was paired with a buttery smooth surface. The section heading South out of Bala shares the same fantastic surface (on the whole), long sweeping bends and some twistier sections towards the end but is more characteristic of a traditional A road with far more straights. Still absolutely worth a drive.
A487 beginning at Cross Foxes Bar and Grill and terminating at Mach Loop/Cad East/Cad West layby parking
I only drove the very first portion of the A487 but it can be taken all the way to Aberystwyth if desired. The surface is fantastic and the views are open for miles around. Driving between the peaks of Cad East and Cad West will have you feeling like you've been transported to mountainous europe. I hit a very short but enjoyable twisty section just before pulling off for the Mach Loop layby parking. I've done some street views of the sections further on and everything I've seen looks very promising. I can vouch for the start and I think the rest definitely warrants further investigation.
Looking down on the A487 from Cad West.
RAF Typhoons pass overhead as they enter the Loop.
A542 (Horseshoe Pass) beginning at LLangollen and terminating at T junction with A525
The A542 reminded me a lot of the B4391 - it's an uphill climb all the way to the fantastic Ponderosa Cafe with some pretty steep gradients at points. Stunning views greet you as you exit the Horseshoe section and continue your climb. Watch out for sheep, though you'll likely not be going too fast - the road is speed limited to 40mph presumably due to its reputation and the unguarded steep drop offs to your right. It's a popular road with visitors to the summit so expect plenty of other cars, bikes and motorhomes if you're travelling on a weekend. It's well worth experiencing though. The food, staff, views and company at the Ponderosa Cafe were all fantastic. The descent begins a lot like the ascent ends with some great views and drop offs to your left but becomes more tame as you continue on down.
Heading up and away from the Horseshoe.
Parked up at the Ponderosa Cafe.
A525 beginning at T junction with A542 and terminating at Ruthin
Things get very exciting very quickly on the A525. The opening section, labelled on Maps as the 'Nant Y Garth Pass', is tight, twisty and almost completely enclosed by mature woodland. I spent most of my time in second and third gear, rolling up and down through the revs between corners (all within the 40mph speed limit of course), with the road entirely to myself. The corners come at you one after another so stay on your toes. The fun comes to an end at Llynfasi where the road becomes very tame, but no less enjoyable, and takes you the rest of the way to Ruthin. Road surface is a little poor in places but that won't take away from your enjoyment of the cracking opening section.
B5105 beginning at Ruthin and terminating at Cerrigydrudion
IMPORTANT: If you're in a wide/GT car (or are just a little precious about your motor, like my good self) do not take the cut through road 'Lon Speiriol-Isaf' to get across to the the B5105 and avoid the town roads of Ruthin - it's one car wide and passing spots aren't much wider either! I'd recommend just heading through the town anyway and seeing what it has to offer.
The B5105 stands out in my mind for a series of awesome corners which begin as soon as you leave Ruthin. This opening section is set on an incline so soaking it up will require a slightly heavier right food to fight against gravity. It's totally worth it though, with one buttery smooth flowing corner blending into the next, wrapped with overhanging trees and woodland. The other highlight of this road for me is a series of corners that begin when you reach Clocaenog Forest. Visibility is good so you can take advantage of these bends. Overall, the surface of the B5105 ranges from poor in some places to sublime. It's a great way to continue a blast through the Welsh countryside. The really great aspect of the B5105 is that it links with the B4501 at Cerrygydrudion meaning, if the mood takes you, an opportunity for another lap of the EVO Triangle lands at your feet, which I happily took advantage of.
Part of the twisty section just on from Clocaenog Forest.
A4212 beginning at Fron-goch terminating at T junction with B4391
The A4212 is a lot like the southern section of the A494 - being an A road, it's wide with great visibility and lots of long sweeping bends. The cherry on top of the A4212's cake are the views you get driving around Afon Tryweryn. You're on a slight uphill gradient most of the way which gives you the elevation needed to really appreciate your surroundings. The U bend at Capel Celyn is wide and allows you to appreciate the view from the front before you continue up and around the bend towards the B4391. I was sad not to get the chance to explore more of the A4212. It's another road I will have pinned for my next visit as I think the remaining stretch down to Trawsfynydd could be very rewarding.
B4391 (not to be confused with the earlier section of B4391) beginning at T junction with A4212 and terminating at Ffestiniog
A jaw dropping section of road, the B4391 is set against a back drop of wide open heathland and farmland. It's a literal ribbon of tarmac stretching out ahead of you for miles. Being so open, you'll have the visibility to see approaching sections from a long way off, plan ahead and push on if you'd like. Be aware that as the road climbs around the halfway point things get very tight and twisty; I'd recommend backing off here. I did lean on the car on a few occasions but most of my time was spent trying to pick my jaw up off my floor mat. It's a breathtaking part of the world culminating at the Cwm Cynfal view point. I drove it on a relatively clear day and had a view all the way to the Sea at Bae Ceridigion. You also get spectacular panoramas of Snowdon and the National Park around it. I hear it's a rarely used piece of road and as I only saw four other cars along the entire stretch, I'd have to agree. The surface is fantastic albeit a little bumpy at times. Keep an eye out for compression zones if you're in a lower car.
No Officer, I'm not drunk, I'm just using the racing line.
Approaching Cwm Cynfal where the road tightens up.
B4410 beginning at the Oakeley Arms, linking with the A4085 at Garreg, terminating at Pont Aberglaslyn
I've linked these two roads together as they both share similar features. Mainly, that they are both glute tighteningly narrow in multiple places, very bumpy (one particular compression zone threw my foot off the throttle) and flanked by rock walls, woodland and heathland. I'm sure the views were very nice in other places too, but I don't recall much other than the stress of making sure I didn't end up sandwiched between some Welsh stone mason's beautifully hand crafted wall and an oncoming car. On two wheels this road could be really enjoyable. Two riders on BMW 1250GS's flew past me (during a cold sweat) early on and seemed to be having a great time (that was the first and last time I saw them!). I can't honestly recommend it for us four wheel petrol heads though, even in something small. If you're in a GT car, I'd simply turn around at Ffestiniog and head back up the B4391. I don't think it's worth the risk in a wide car. My recommendation would be to pick up the A487 after the B4391. Sadly, the views of the Snowdonia National Park area won't be quite the same from the A road, but it will take you all the way to Caenarfon, where you can pick up the start of the Llanberis Pass, which I will tell you about shortly.
Yeah. THAT narrow...
The A4085 beginning at Beddgelert and terminating at Caethro
The A4085 was a sight for sore eyes after the tense experience of the previous two roads. It's not unlike the B4410 or A4085 in terms of its layout, but it's (slightly) wider with far better visibility and some incredible views of the Snowdonia National Park region. This road really epitomises Wales, carving between mountains and lakes before heading into more dense civilisation. Be sure to save your Maps to your phone or have a paper one to hand - I drove for around 45 minutes with no signal in this area. The road surface is very bumpy and is best taken at a leisurely pace, which was good, as I was stuck behind a bus taking tourists from Beddgelert to Caenarfon!
A4086 (Llanberis Pass) beginning at Llanrug and terminating at Capel Curig
The Llanberis pass was rumored from my research to be one of the premier driving roads in North Wales. I had high expectations when I started the ascent up to Pen y Pass and all of those expectations were met. During the lower sections you drive around Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, two large and beautiful lakes that are bordered by the deep grey excavasion from Dinorwig Slate Quarry. Once you pass through Gwastadnant, the views open up and are framed by the sheer rock faces either side of you. The surface is buttery smooth and I got lucky enough to really soak up a couple of bends with nothing holding me up. With the road bordered by stone walls and hugging the contours of the steep slopes, it felt to me like some kind of European WRC tarmac stage than somewhere only a three hour drive from where I live. Be sure to stop off at Pen y Pass to savour the view from the top properly - I blew right through not anticipating that it might be nice to stop and instead had to sneak a few glances out of the window whilst soaking up the technical and very exciting descent.
Heading up towards Pen y Pass.
The lower section of the A4086, where it meets the A498, is much more mellow but no less enjoyable as you pass by lakes, rivers and rolling hills. The road surface is good, as is visibility which, combined with downhill long sweeping curves, means you can really get a move on..!
Looking back towards the descent road from the next section of the A4086.
Last, but certainly not least, the A5...
The stretch of the A5 I can vouch for runs from Capel Curig to Llangollen. Knowing very little about the A5 heading into my roadtrip I assumed it would be a relatively boring commuter road that is regularly congested and only used to get from point A to point B. However, though it may well be the main commuter road and regularly congested, it is the furthest thing from boring. The best section I experienced ran from Capel Curig to Pentrefoelas. Do not miss out on this section. Twisty bends, one after another, plunge through lush green woodland. High stone walls border the road as the way ahead winds in front of you. I assume that as the A5 is so often used for commuting, the road surface is regularly maintained - this was some of the best tarmac I came across throughout my entire trip and gave me the confidence to really push on and enjoy it. That, and I'd just left dinner at Hangin' Pizzeria it Betwys y Coed (highly recommend by the way) - it was 8pm on a warm, sunny, summer Monday evening and I had the road to myself for miles. I feel truly lucky to have experienced that drive. After the twisties, the road ahead opens up and carves through farmland with long sweeping bends. If you do keep going beyond Cerrigydrudion to Llangollen, expect speed and excitement to get dialed back with more congestion from the surrounding towns being introduced. There are still some interesting points worth experiencing though, including the hair pin just before you hit Llangollen. I also have zero doubt that the section of the A5 I didn't get to experience, from Capel Curig towards Anglesey, could be very good fun.
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That's a breakdown of all the roads I drove during my stay in Bala and my experience of them. All in all, around 250 miles of driving (not including the 160 up and back). I really hope this helps anyone visiting the area in need of some help with planning what roads you'd like to drive.
A couple of non-essential points I'd like to mention as I write this:
- On the rare chance that staff of the Wales Highway Maintenance team see this post, whether you be behind a desk or laying the tar, I'd like you to know that I really appreciate the effort you go to in order to maintain the roads in your area to such a high standard. They give people like me the opportunity to admire your beautiful country and spend money in your local businesses whilst doing something I love. Many thanks to you all.
- I left home on a Saturday morning and returned on a Tuesday afternoon. Whether I got lucky or Welsh roads are just not as congested as what I'm used to, I didn't experience much traffic at all. Whether the time be morning, midday or evening, rarely did I have anyone ahead of me who wanted to drive at a speed slower than what I wanted to. Whenever I did, I was often on a stretch of road I was quite happy to gently cruise on.
- If approaching Wales from the South East I'd highly recommend using the M6 toll over the original M6. Although pricey, it's far less busy and the road surface is like marble compared to the current M6 surface (as I found out on the way back when I got a taster of the spine shattering M6 after missing my turn for the toll!).
- Bala is central to all of the roads I have mentioned and therefore serves as a great base camp to operate from. The vibe and community were great during my stay. The lake is also stunning and well worth checking out with watersports and fishing opportunities.
This will be my first post on PistonHeads so I hope everything is in order and in line with forum rules.
In June I took my Clio RS200 for a solo roadtrip around North Wales. I had an absolute blast, along with some sketchy moments as all of the roads I drove were new to me and I didn't know fully what to expect. I therefore wanted to write this post to offer those who are new to the area some up to date advice on what roads should, in some circumstances, be avoided and what ones cannot be missed. I'll also mention some roads that I only partly explored but could well continue to reward if followed.
I'll keep any images I use to illustrate the roads light as I don't want to spoil the experience for those new to the area. If no images are attached under the road I'm discussing it will be because the GoPro was not set up at that time or it had sadly run out of charge.
B4396 beginning at Porth-y-Waen, connecting to the B4391, terminating at Bala (where I would be staying):
The B4396 is pretty placid and has a familiar B road feel - a rough road surface in places and a little bumpy overall. It's flanked by farmers fields pretty much the whole way.
The B4391 starts off the same but gets really exciting coming out of Llanynog. You gain altitude quickly, heading up and out of the valley. Some sections are very steep and were tough for some of the motorhomes I was stuck behind... Coming from the South like I was, you'll have sheer drops to your left at times and stunning views across the hills. Once at the top, there are some scattered gravel lay-bys you can use for photos. The best picture opportunity in my opinion comes when you hit the Pennlyn Forest View Point. From there the road meanders through some stunning heathland before descending. Some steep and very tight bends follow before the road begins to level out in the direction of Bala. This doesn't appear to be a road you'll be able to stretch your cars legs on often - guaging by the traffic around me that day, the B4391 serves as the main scenic commuter route into Bala.
B4501 beginning at Frong-goch and terminating at the A5
I didn't have this section of the B4501 marked as one to explore but it served as a main route out of Bala and from Google street view imagery it looked like it could offer some thrills. In reality, this section of road ranges from narrow to very narrow, leading to some hairy moments with oncoming cars if you're pushing on. The views as you gain altitude are good but with visibility also being a challenge at some points my eyes were focused mostly on the road ahead and not out of the window.
B4501 beginning at Cerrigydrudion and terminating at the A543 T junction
Those in the know will recognise this as the first section of the revered (or infamous, depending on your perspective) EVO Triangle, so named for being a section of road which the staff of EVO Magazine would regularly use during road car tests. As of June, it's in need of a good resurfacing - no major potholes are present but the top layers of tarmac are showing lots of cracking and erosion. This isn't bad enough to stop you from enjoying the road though and it is thoroughly worth a visit - most of the road is set on an incline, which made things challenging for the Clio (160lb of torque will do that I guess) and it's worth noting that the entire section is dotted with average speed cameras set to the national speed limit for an unlit single carriage way road - 60mph. Plenty of fun can still be had well below this speed though with lots of undulations, elevation changes and one particular twisty section which jumps out at you as come toward Pont yr Alwen.
A543 beginning at T junction with B4501 and terminating at the A5/Pentrefoelas
This is the second leg of the EVO Triangle, forming the left flank of the route when looked at on a map. It's a complete contrast to the first leg; the A543 is set amongst wide open heathland and farmland, offering views for miles at many points and fantastic visibility, helping you safely plan any exuberant driving ahead of time. It's a little bumpy on occasion with one gnarly compression zone immediately after the short stone bridge that crosses Afon Alwen. Like the B4501, the entire road is monitored by average speed cameras but there's still plenty of fun to be had below the speed limit.
Parked up to admire the view before pushing on down to PentrefoelasA494 beginning at the A5 and terminating at the A470
This wasn't a road I had pegged for a visit before heading to Wales but I used it in exchange of the B5401 after wanting a smoother and wider commuting road in and out of Bala. I would use the section south of Lake Bala later in the week when visiting the Mach Loop. This road holds a special place in my heart. I expected a relatively dreary A road full of traffic. Whether it be luck or just the time of day (mostly afternoons and evenings) I had the section of road North of Bala to myself on multiple occasions. I got to know it well enough to extract all of the Clio's ability at multiple points and fell in love with its combination of long sweeping bends, tighter sections, mellow gradient and good visibility, all of which was paired with a buttery smooth surface. The section heading South out of Bala shares the same fantastic surface (on the whole), long sweeping bends and some twistier sections towards the end but is more characteristic of a traditional A road with far more straights. Still absolutely worth a drive.
A487 beginning at Cross Foxes Bar and Grill and terminating at Mach Loop/Cad East/Cad West layby parking
I only drove the very first portion of the A487 but it can be taken all the way to Aberystwyth if desired. The surface is fantastic and the views are open for miles around. Driving between the peaks of Cad East and Cad West will have you feeling like you've been transported to mountainous europe. I hit a very short but enjoyable twisty section just before pulling off for the Mach Loop layby parking. I've done some street views of the sections further on and everything I've seen looks very promising. I can vouch for the start and I think the rest definitely warrants further investigation.
A542 (Horseshoe Pass) beginning at LLangollen and terminating at T junction with A525
The A542 reminded me a lot of the B4391 - it's an uphill climb all the way to the fantastic Ponderosa Cafe with some pretty steep gradients at points. Stunning views greet you as you exit the Horseshoe section and continue your climb. Watch out for sheep, though you'll likely not be going too fast - the road is speed limited to 40mph presumably due to its reputation and the unguarded steep drop offs to your right. It's a popular road with visitors to the summit so expect plenty of other cars, bikes and motorhomes if you're travelling on a weekend. It's well worth experiencing though. The food, staff, views and company at the Ponderosa Cafe were all fantastic. The descent begins a lot like the ascent ends with some great views and drop offs to your left but becomes more tame as you continue on down.
Heading up and away from the Horseshoe. Parked up at the Ponderosa Cafe.A525 beginning at T junction with A542 and terminating at Ruthin
Things get very exciting very quickly on the A525. The opening section, labelled on Maps as the 'Nant Y Garth Pass', is tight, twisty and almost completely enclosed by mature woodland. I spent most of my time in second and third gear, rolling up and down through the revs between corners (all within the 40mph speed limit of course), with the road entirely to myself. The corners come at you one after another so stay on your toes. The fun comes to an end at Llynfasi where the road becomes very tame, but no less enjoyable, and takes you the rest of the way to Ruthin. Road surface is a little poor in places but that won't take away from your enjoyment of the cracking opening section.
B5105 beginning at Ruthin and terminating at Cerrigydrudion
IMPORTANT: If you're in a wide/GT car (or are just a little precious about your motor, like my good self) do not take the cut through road 'Lon Speiriol-Isaf' to get across to the the B5105 and avoid the town roads of Ruthin - it's one car wide and passing spots aren't much wider either! I'd recommend just heading through the town anyway and seeing what it has to offer.
The B5105 stands out in my mind for a series of awesome corners which begin as soon as you leave Ruthin. This opening section is set on an incline so soaking it up will require a slightly heavier right food to fight against gravity. It's totally worth it though, with one buttery smooth flowing corner blending into the next, wrapped with overhanging trees and woodland. The other highlight of this road for me is a series of corners that begin when you reach Clocaenog Forest. Visibility is good so you can take advantage of these bends. Overall, the surface of the B5105 ranges from poor in some places to sublime. It's a great way to continue a blast through the Welsh countryside. The really great aspect of the B5105 is that it links with the B4501 at Cerrygydrudion meaning, if the mood takes you, an opportunity for another lap of the EVO Triangle lands at your feet, which I happily took advantage of.
Part of the twisty section just on from Clocaenog Forest.A4212 beginning at Fron-goch terminating at T junction with B4391
The A4212 is a lot like the southern section of the A494 - being an A road, it's wide with great visibility and lots of long sweeping bends. The cherry on top of the A4212's cake are the views you get driving around Afon Tryweryn. You're on a slight uphill gradient most of the way which gives you the elevation needed to really appreciate your surroundings. The U bend at Capel Celyn is wide and allows you to appreciate the view from the front before you continue up and around the bend towards the B4391. I was sad not to get the chance to explore more of the A4212. It's another road I will have pinned for my next visit as I think the remaining stretch down to Trawsfynydd could be very rewarding.
B4391 (not to be confused with the earlier section of B4391) beginning at T junction with A4212 and terminating at Ffestiniog
A jaw dropping section of road, the B4391 is set against a back drop of wide open heathland and farmland. It's a literal ribbon of tarmac stretching out ahead of you for miles. Being so open, you'll have the visibility to see approaching sections from a long way off, plan ahead and push on if you'd like. Be aware that as the road climbs around the halfway point things get very tight and twisty; I'd recommend backing off here. I did lean on the car on a few occasions but most of my time was spent trying to pick my jaw up off my floor mat. It's a breathtaking part of the world culminating at the Cwm Cynfal view point. I drove it on a relatively clear day and had a view all the way to the Sea at Bae Ceridigion. You also get spectacular panoramas of Snowdon and the National Park around it. I hear it's a rarely used piece of road and as I only saw four other cars along the entire stretch, I'd have to agree. The surface is fantastic albeit a little bumpy at times. Keep an eye out for compression zones if you're in a lower car.
No Officer, I'm not drunk, I'm just using the racing line. Approaching Cwm Cynfal where the road tightens up.B4410 beginning at the Oakeley Arms, linking with the A4085 at Garreg, terminating at Pont Aberglaslyn
I've linked these two roads together as they both share similar features. Mainly, that they are both glute tighteningly narrow in multiple places, very bumpy (one particular compression zone threw my foot off the throttle) and flanked by rock walls, woodland and heathland. I'm sure the views were very nice in other places too, but I don't recall much other than the stress of making sure I didn't end up sandwiched between some Welsh stone mason's beautifully hand crafted wall and an oncoming car. On two wheels this road could be really enjoyable. Two riders on BMW 1250GS's flew past me (during a cold sweat) early on and seemed to be having a great time (that was the first and last time I saw them!). I can't honestly recommend it for us four wheel petrol heads though, even in something small. If you're in a GT car, I'd simply turn around at Ffestiniog and head back up the B4391. I don't think it's worth the risk in a wide car. My recommendation would be to pick up the A487 after the B4391. Sadly, the views of the Snowdonia National Park area won't be quite the same from the A road, but it will take you all the way to Caenarfon, where you can pick up the start of the Llanberis Pass, which I will tell you about shortly.
Yeah. THAT narrow...The A4085 beginning at Beddgelert and terminating at Caethro
The A4085 was a sight for sore eyes after the tense experience of the previous two roads. It's not unlike the B4410 or A4085 in terms of its layout, but it's (slightly) wider with far better visibility and some incredible views of the Snowdonia National Park region. This road really epitomises Wales, carving between mountains and lakes before heading into more dense civilisation. Be sure to save your Maps to your phone or have a paper one to hand - I drove for around 45 minutes with no signal in this area. The road surface is very bumpy and is best taken at a leisurely pace, which was good, as I was stuck behind a bus taking tourists from Beddgelert to Caenarfon!
A4086 (Llanberis Pass) beginning at Llanrug and terminating at Capel Curig
The Llanberis pass was rumored from my research to be one of the premier driving roads in North Wales. I had high expectations when I started the ascent up to Pen y Pass and all of those expectations were met. During the lower sections you drive around Llyn Padarn and Llyn Peris, two large and beautiful lakes that are bordered by the deep grey excavasion from Dinorwig Slate Quarry. Once you pass through Gwastadnant, the views open up and are framed by the sheer rock faces either side of you. The surface is buttery smooth and I got lucky enough to really soak up a couple of bends with nothing holding me up. With the road bordered by stone walls and hugging the contours of the steep slopes, it felt to me like some kind of European WRC tarmac stage than somewhere only a three hour drive from where I live. Be sure to stop off at Pen y Pass to savour the view from the top properly - I blew right through not anticipating that it might be nice to stop and instead had to sneak a few glances out of the window whilst soaking up the technical and very exciting descent.
Heading up towards Pen y Pass.The lower section of the A4086, where it meets the A498, is much more mellow but no less enjoyable as you pass by lakes, rivers and rolling hills. The road surface is good, as is visibility which, combined with downhill long sweeping curves, means you can really get a move on..!
Last, but certainly not least, the A5...
The stretch of the A5 I can vouch for runs from Capel Curig to Llangollen. Knowing very little about the A5 heading into my roadtrip I assumed it would be a relatively boring commuter road that is regularly congested and only used to get from point A to point B. However, though it may well be the main commuter road and regularly congested, it is the furthest thing from boring. The best section I experienced ran from Capel Curig to Pentrefoelas. Do not miss out on this section. Twisty bends, one after another, plunge through lush green woodland. High stone walls border the road as the way ahead winds in front of you. I assume that as the A5 is so often used for commuting, the road surface is regularly maintained - this was some of the best tarmac I came across throughout my entire trip and gave me the confidence to really push on and enjoy it. That, and I'd just left dinner at Hangin' Pizzeria it Betwys y Coed (highly recommend by the way) - it was 8pm on a warm, sunny, summer Monday evening and I had the road to myself for miles. I feel truly lucky to have experienced that drive. After the twisties, the road ahead opens up and carves through farmland with long sweeping bends. If you do keep going beyond Cerrigydrudion to Llangollen, expect speed and excitement to get dialed back with more congestion from the surrounding towns being introduced. There are still some interesting points worth experiencing though, including the hair pin just before you hit Llangollen. I also have zero doubt that the section of the A5 I didn't get to experience, from Capel Curig towards Anglesey, could be very good fun.
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That's a breakdown of all the roads I drove during my stay in Bala and my experience of them. All in all, around 250 miles of driving (not including the 160 up and back). I really hope this helps anyone visiting the area in need of some help with planning what roads you'd like to drive.
A couple of non-essential points I'd like to mention as I write this:
- On the rare chance that staff of the Wales Highway Maintenance team see this post, whether you be behind a desk or laying the tar, I'd like you to know that I really appreciate the effort you go to in order to maintain the roads in your area to such a high standard. They give people like me the opportunity to admire your beautiful country and spend money in your local businesses whilst doing something I love. Many thanks to you all.
- I left home on a Saturday morning and returned on a Tuesday afternoon. Whether I got lucky or Welsh roads are just not as congested as what I'm used to, I didn't experience much traffic at all. Whether the time be morning, midday or evening, rarely did I have anyone ahead of me who wanted to drive at a speed slower than what I wanted to. Whenever I did, I was often on a stretch of road I was quite happy to gently cruise on.
- If approaching Wales from the South East I'd highly recommend using the M6 toll over the original M6. Although pricey, it's far less busy and the road surface is like marble compared to the current M6 surface (as I found out on the way back when I got a taster of the spine shattering M6 after missing my turn for the toll!).
- Bala is central to all of the roads I have mentioned and therefore serves as a great base camp to operate from. The vibe and community were great during my stay. The lake is also stunning and well worth checking out with watersports and fishing opportunities.
On the A487 don't stop on the mach loop layby, carry on down, turn right towards Tywyn, then at Bryncrug turn right and follow the coast road to Dolgellau.
Be prepared as how ever much you know the jets are going to fly overhead it still scares the s
t out of you when they do.
Watch out through Bala, as the camera vans like it there.
Try to do these roads outside of holiday season, they are almost deserted in march, April, May and September. Don't bother during winter as there will be far too much mud
Be prepared as how ever much you know the jets are going to fly overhead it still scares the s
t out of you when they do.Watch out through Bala, as the camera vans like it there.
Try to do these roads outside of holiday season, they are almost deserted in march, April, May and September. Don't bother during winter as there will be far too much mud
mr pg said:
The B4391 from the 4212 is one of the greatest stretches of road in the UK. Used frequently by magazines, car testers, etc. I prefer west to east personally as the twisty section is uphill and is less reliant on braking.
Agreed. It is a stunning stretch of road. I also drove it from West to East during my stay.Andy665 said:
Know most if not all of those roads and would agree that they are wonderful, especially the A525 and both stretches of the B4391.
Also can strongly recommend the B4401 from near the Rhug estate (A5) that brings you out at the A494 just outside Bala
They really were a pleasure to drive. I heard whispers of the B4401 - I'll need to make a return trip to try it!Also can strongly recommend the B4401 from near the Rhug estate (A5) that brings you out at the A494 just outside Bala
ARHarh said:
On the A487 don't stop on the mach loop layby, carry on down, turn right towards Tywyn, then at Bryncrug turn right and follow the coast road to Dolgellau.
Be prepared as how ever much you know the jets are going to fly overhead it still scares the st out of you when they do.
Watch out through Bala, as the camera vans like it there.
Try to do these roads outside of holiday season, they are almost deserted in march, April, May and September. Don't bother during winter as there will be far too much mud
Really appreciate the recommendation and advice AR! I'll give that route a try next time.Be prepared as how ever much you know the jets are going to fly overhead it still scares the s
t out of you when they do.Watch out through Bala, as the camera vans like it there.
Try to do these roads outside of holiday season, they are almost deserted in march, April, May and September. Don't bother during winter as there will be far too much mud
limpsfield said:
I am from North Wales originally and back there every couple of months. Wonderful driving roads - a real pleasure compared to the SE of England. There's a couple of these I don't think I have tried so thanks for the write up.
Couldn't agree more - such a wonderful change to the roads around the South East. So pleased I could help!ARHarh said:
I moved from the Hampshire Surrey border to the start of this route 12 years ago. Nothing better than driving those roads for a walk along the beach and a different route home. Best way to waste 100 odd miles worth of fuel. Don't miss driving in the south east at all.
I am originally from North Wales and now live Hampshire/Surrey border...I was up there last weekend and drove down to Bala and a few roads around there. That B3491 is amazing, can't believe I have never driven that in my nearly 40 years of driving.
So nice to have clear open roads. Totally different to the SE.
Foggy picture from Bala lake from Saturday around 9a.m.
Thanks again for the thread OP - a few more to explore when I am up there next.
limpsfield said:
I am originally from North Wales and now live Hampshire/Surrey border...
I was up there last weekend and drove down to Bala and a few roads around there. That B3491 is amazing, can't believe I have never driven that in my nearly 40 years of driving.
So nice to have clear open roads. Totally different to the SE.
Foggy picture from Bala lake from Saturday around 9a.m.
Thanks again for the thread OP - a few more to explore when I am up there next.
I stopped in almost exactly the same spot when I first arrived and had Lunch at the Cafe there. Great to hear you had a good time. I'm so happy I could help!I was up there last weekend and drove down to Bala and a few roads around there. That B3491 is amazing, can't believe I have never driven that in my nearly 40 years of driving.
So nice to have clear open roads. Totally different to the SE.
Foggy picture from Bala lake from Saturday around 9a.m.
Thanks again for the thread OP - a few more to explore when I am up there next.
I moved here 10 years ago. The roads are always well maintained. You have covered most of them.
The bus you were stuck behind sounds like it was Sherpa’r Wyddfa, it is a regular bus service
https://www.sherparwyddfa.wales
I hope you filled up at Shell in Caeathro, one of the cheapest fuel stations around.
The bus you were stuck behind sounds like it was Sherpa’r Wyddfa, it is a regular bus service
https://www.sherparwyddfa.wales
I hope you filled up at Shell in Caeathro, one of the cheapest fuel stations around.
Pica-Pica said:
I moved here 10 years ago. The roads are always well maintained. You have covered most of them.
The bus you were stuck behind sounds like it was Sherpa’r Wyddfa, it is a regular bus service
https://www.sherparwyddfa.wales
I hope you filled up at Shell in Caeathro, one of the cheapest fuel stations around.
That will be the bus for sure! The little Clio did quite well on fuel in the end - I only needed to fill up on my way back home (having topped up on the way in) but I had the Shell at Caeathro and Betws y Coed pegged should I have needed a top-up! The bus you were stuck behind sounds like it was Sherpa’r Wyddfa, it is a regular bus service
https://www.sherparwyddfa.wales
I hope you filled up at Shell in Caeathro, one of the cheapest fuel stations around.
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