Trawsfynydd Lake Cycle Route

Region:
Ceiriog Valley, North Wales

Difficulty:
Family
(Suitable for Inexperienced Riders)

Distance:
9 miles

Map:
OS Landranger 124

Route Text Download:
Trawsfynydd Lake Cycle Route

GPS Download:
GPX and KML
(available via the full MapMyRide page for this route, on the right hand side of the page)

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Trawsfynydd Lake Cycle Route

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This mountain bike route of 9 miles follows a well sign posted route around the picturesque Trawsfynydd Lake in the Snowdonia National Park. It starts from the Trawsfynydd Lake Centre at the northern end of the lake. While the riding is quite easy there is a relatively big hill just after crossing the dam. If you can’t ride it pushing up doesn’t take too long and the views at the top are worth it.

1. Start from the café car park on the edge of Trawsfynydd Lake (GR697383). Follow the exit road away from the lake to the second trail on the left leading into the trees, just before the exit road ends at a junction. Turn left and descend the singletrack trail underneath the cycle trail sign that marks the start of the route. When the track becomes a paved path continue straight ahead in the direction of the power station buildings. When the path comes to a road follow it left to a junction with a singletrack trail (GR695382). Bare right and climb the trail to the pyramidal shelter at the view point. Continue straight on underneath the shelter and follow the trail to where it ends at a gate by a road (GR691380).

2. Go through the gate then straight across the road using the crossing. Follow the track straight ahead on the other side of the road to where it ends at a road by the boundary fence of the power station. Turn left and follow the road to a junction just after the end of the fence. Go straight on and follow the lane for some time along the edge of the lake. After a while the lane becomes gravel double track just before reaching a junction (GR675378). Take the left hand fork and follow the track to the edge of the lake. At the lake follow the track right then left to a dam. Go across the dam on the concrete track to a gate on the other side. After the gate go straight ahead on the gravel track. The track soon starts climbing before bearing right to a junction (GR671375).

3. Turn left in the direction of the marker and follow the winding track over a number of low wooden bridges to cross a number of boggy sections. After a while the track bears right to start the big climb of the route. The loose, gravel track climbs steeply for a short time before turning left and flattening off then leading to a gate (GR674371). After the gate the loose gravel track kicks up again for a long, steep climb to the top. At the top follow the track straight ahead for a winding, loose gravel descent down the other side of the hill. After a gate the track descends straight ahead for a while before becoming a steep lane that ends at a gated junction at the bottom (GR683360).

4. After the gate go straight on and follow the lane around the edge of the lake, on the left. The lane mostly descends gently with a few short uphills. After a while the lane bears left to a junction (GR696347). Turn left, continuing along the edge of the lake on the left, and follow the lane until it ends at a junction with the main road (GR710345).

5. Turn left and follow the cycle track along the path to the left of the main road. Continue along the cycle track to a junction with a road leading into Trawsfynydd village on the left (GR710350). Turn left then follow the road right across a stone bridge. A short distance later climb the road straight on through the village to a junction very near the top (GR707355). Stay on the road as it bears right for the final gentle climb over the top of the hill. Continue straight on between the houses and descend to where the lane ends at a junction with the main road (GR708361).

6. Turn left and follow the cycle track on the path to the left of the road. Continue ahead along the cycle track to where it ends not long after going past a layby (GR708371). Turn left and descend the singletrack away from the road to a gate. Go through this gate and the next one just after. After the second gate follow the track right towards a bridge. Go across the bridge then continue following the grassy track ahead along the edge of the lake on the left. After a while the track bears right, away from the lake, and becomes a straight tarmac lane that can be seen to kick up steeply ahead. Just before reaching the steep section the lane comes to a junction with a gated track on the left marked with a cycle way sign (GR701376).

7. Turn left through the gate then follow the winding and undulating singletrack through the trees. After quite a while the trail comes to a three-way junction (GR699381). Turn right and follow the track that soon widens. Continue following the track straight on. At the end it goes up a short, steep climb past the right hand side of the Trawsfynydd café to return to the car park to complete the ride.