Name this welsh road

[Allyc85]

Been up to the brilliant roads around Bala a couple times recently, and both times done this very fun bit of road to Lake Vyrnmwy, and was wondering if it had a proper name?

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bS9nNEhRDQ8

I also did the nearby Hellfire Pass, which even in the shocking weather was brilliant

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9UOLjuvLyQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eycTYM85ZU

[mmm-five]

Don't think it has a name (can't see one on my OS map or by Philips large scale map), but have used it a few times and just call it the Bala-Vyrnwy road.

[AdiT]

When we did it a few years ago on a cycling weekend, my mate (who isn't built for going up hill) called it "a bd"... which was quite tame compared to what he called those of us who were route finding that day.

[Slippydiff]

Allyc85 said:

Been up to the brilliant roads around Bala a couple times recently, and both times done this very fun bit of road to Lake Vyrnmwy, and was wondering if it had a proper name?

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&...

I've checked on my OS map, it's not named. I prefer the B4391, wider, faster and a lot less dangerous. . . . .

If you want a real challenge, take the Lake Vyrnwy to Dinas Maddwy road. approach the lake using your unnamed road, at the lake, turn right onto the B4393 and take a right at Pont Eunant. Plenty of blind crests with no indication as to which way the road goes the other side of the crest . . .
I tried to drive it at speed approximately eight years ago (and failed in no uncertain terms) When some kindly folk winched my car from it's resting place (some 40ft off the road) they informed me "it's used for road rallies, it helps to have a navigator with local knowledge if you want to drive it quickly . . . . )

You've been warned

[Red Devil]

Slippydiff said:

If you want a real challenge, take the Lake Vyrnwy to Dinas Maddwy road. approach the lake using your unnamed road, at the lake, turn right onto the B4393 and take a right at Pont Eunant. Plenty of blind crests with no indication as to which way the road goes the other side of the crest . . .
I tried to drive it at speed approximately eight years ago (and failed in no uncertain terms) When some kindly folk winched my car from it's resting place (some 40ft off the road) they informed me "it's used for road rallies, it helps to have a navigator with local knowledge if you want to drive it quickly . . . . )

You've been warned

That brings back memories. Did that exact route Bala->Lake Vyrnwy->Dinas Mawddy on a road rally back in the seventies. Quite an interesting experience for my first foray to Wales.

Fortunately you can't really see the extent of the drop offs at night. In daylight it's a bit sobering to see how far it is to the bottom if you pick the wrong spot to go agricultural on the descent to Lake Vyrnwy. We kept it on the black stuff though, despite going considerably quicker than in the Youtube clip!

[Allyc85]

Slippydiff said:

I've checked on my OS map, it's not named. I prefer the B4391, wider, faster and a lot less dangerous. . . . .

If you want a real challenge, take the Lake Vyrnwy to Dinas Maddwy road. approach the lake using your unnamed road, at the lake, turn right onto the B4393 and take a right at Pont Eunant. Plenty of blind crests with no indication as to which way the road goes the other side of the crest . . .
I tried to drive it at speed approximately eight years ago (and failed in no uncertain terms) When some kindly folk winched my car from it's resting place (some 40ft off the road) they informed me "it's used for road rallies, it helps to have a navigator with local knowledge if you want to drive it quickly . . . . )

You've been warned

That would be Hellfire pass, which is in the other videos I linked to! Brilliant piece of road id love to do again when the weather isnt quite so bad! On a road rally it must have been something else though!

[Slippydiff]

Red Devil said:

Slippydiff said:

If you want a real challenge, take the Lake Vyrnwy to Dinas Maddwy road. approach the lake using your unnamed road, at the lake, turn right onto the B4393 and take a right at Pont Eunant. Plenty of blind crests with no indication as to which way the road goes the other side of the crest . . .
I tried to drive it at speed approximately eight years ago (and failed in no uncertain terms) When some kindly folk winched my car from it's resting place (some 40ft off the road) they informed me "it's used for road rallies, it helps to have a navigator with local knowledge if you want to drive it quickly . . . . )

You've been warned

That brings back memories. Did that exact route Bala->Lake Vyrnwy->Dinas Mawddy on a road rally back in the seventies. Quite an interesting experience for my first foray to Wales.

Fortunately you can't really see the extent of the drop offs at night. In daylight it's a bit sobering to see how far it is to the bottom if you pick the wrong spot to go agricultural on the descent to Lake Vyrnwy. We kept it on the black stuff though, despite going considerably quicker than in the Youtube clip!

Indeed, a parachute might be useful, or as some other sage once said "It's quite a drop. By the time you hit the ground, your clothes will be out of fashion" . . . .

[Trefy5]

Hellfire Pass - home of the Austin test grounds many many moons ago

I thought for a while the bala - Vyrnwy one was the Hirnant Pass but think i am wrong about that
Great road but not one you take at pace
Very reminiscent of the Abergwesyn Pass

[Red Devil]

Trefy5 said:

I thought for a while the bala - Vyrnwy one was the Hirnant Pass but think i am wrong about that

Au contraire, you're correct.
The Mountain Road in the OP's first Youtube video.

Trefy5 said:

Great road but not one you take at pace

Well we didn't hang about on those '70s rallies...

Trefy5 said:

Very reminiscent of the Abergwesyn Pass

Tregaron to Abergwesyn - another classic rally road which is not for the novice.
14 miles with plenty of blind crests followed by abrupt direction changes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOGXMBWFWjI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO9lPJ3eLhk

Best known for its iconic red telephone and pillar boxes miles from anywhere (at the junction just left of the bridge).

ETA - the correct name for the Hellfire Pass is Bwlch y Groes (English: Pass of the Cross). The cross can be seen here. There is one painted on the road surface as well. It is the second highest public road in Wales, narrowly beaten by the Bwlch yr Efengyl (English: Gospel Pass) in the Black Mountains.

Edited by Red Devil on Sunday 31st March 04:41

[Trefy5]

Thank you for the extra feedback, Red Devil

[heebeegeetee]

I've never heard of Hellfire Pass before, is that Bwlch y Groes?

Either way, isn't Wales a bit wet for anywhere to be termed as Hellfire?

[Red Devil]

heebeegeetee said:

I've never heard of Hellfire Pass before, is that Bwlch y Groes?

See above.

[heebeegeetee]

Red Devil said:

See above.

I did, but not until after I oposted, ahem.

Since when has it been called hellfire pass?

[Allyc85]

Red Devil said:

Trefy5 said:

I thought for a while the bala - Vyrnwy one was the Hirnant Pass but think i am wrong about that

Au contraire, you're correct.
The Mountain Road in the OP's first Youtube video.

Trefy5 said:

Great road but not one you take at pace

Well we didn't hang about on those '70s rallies...

Trefy5 said:

Very reminiscent of the Abergwesyn Pass

Tregaron to Abergwesyn - another classic rally road which is not for the novice.
14 miles with plenty of blind crests followed by abrupt direction changes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOGXMBWFWjI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO9lPJ3eLhk

Best known for its iconic red telephone and pillar boxes miles from anywhere (at the junction just left of the bridge).

ETA - the correct name for the Hellfire Pass is Bwlch y Groes (English: Pass of the Cross). The cross can be seen here. There is one painted on the road surface as well. It is the second highest public road in Wales, narrowly beaten by the Bwlch yr Efengyl (English: Gospel Pass) in the Black Mountains.

Edited by Red Devil on Sunday 31st March 04:41

Greats brilliant info, cheers

Looks like Bwlch yr Efengy will have to be done next. Just dont ask me how to say it

[Will Matthews]

I live next door to the road you mention! All the road signs and maps you need to answer this question fully are on a short video I've posted on Youtube - please see

The Bwlch y Groes is also known as the Hellfire Pass, and was used between and after the wars by the Austin Motor Company and the Standard Triumph Motor Company to test prototype cars and their performance during hillclimbing.

Will

ETA

Deemed to be advertising.

Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 8th June 11:26