Dragon Loop - Scenic Driving Road Circuit in Wales

[tropicalpalmtree]

Hello. I have compiled a driving route that i think is the best is North/Mid Wales. This takes in the best roads and best scenery this part of the country has to offer. I live in this area and have tried and tested to find the best roads to create a full circuit for people to enjoy. This is the finished product. It's approximately 300 miles long.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1nl9trE...

If this post garners enough interest i can go into more detail on the route layout, some diversions and suggestions, but for now i will leave you the map and hope you get chance to drive it.

Edited by tropicalpalmtree on Sunday 2nd July 22:06

[pherlopolus]

Nice, any reason you missed out llanberis to capel curig via pen y pass and went via Bethesda instead?

[Krikkit]

As above I think I'd disagree in parts, but a great effort to put it together nonetheless!

[tropicalpalmtree]

Krikkit said:

As above I think I'd disagree in parts, but a great effort to put it together nonetheless!

Which parts?

[tropicalpalmtree]

pherlopolus said:

Nice, any reason you missed out llanberis to capel curig via pen y pass and went via Bethesda instead?

Because Ogwen valley is a faster and far better road to drive on imo. And pen-y-pass is a nightmare in any holiday season or Sunny weekend. It's always clogged up with traffic and inconsiderate parking (so is Ogwen but definitely less so than Pen-Y-Pass). Potentially you could cut out Ogwen and just go (anti-clockwise direction on loop) down the A4086 from Capel Curig then down Pen y Pass and pick up the route again.

Edited by tropicalpalmtree on Monday 3rd July 00:12

[Riley Blue]

Thanks for that, I feel a Welsh Weekend brewing...

[pherlopolus]

Taking my bike to Anglesey early September so will definitely try some of this. My perception of roads is skewed by generally not being their in peak season 😀

[Krikkit]

tropicalpalmtree said:

Krikkit said:

As above I think I'd disagree in parts, but a great effort to put it together nonetheless!

Which parts?

Well the north end is where I'd suggest a slight change, instead of turning left onto the A543 to Pentrefoelas, turn right, then left at Bylchau onto the A544. Follow that all the way down to Llanwryst, then resume your route.

It's not as scenic, but a much nicer road to drive imho (being a bit quieter), and cuts out an average speed camera section.

I'd also extend the loop slightly to get the Ruthin and Denbigh side in, but that's a more difficult choice while not overdoing the length. The A494 from the A5 up to Ruthin is a great road, and it's also fabulous from Bala at a quiet time.

[tropicalpalmtree]

I had to get both roads of evo triangle in. Also I wanted to include the b5513 for its amazing view across snowdonia peaks.

[tropicalpalmtree]

I have decided to include Pen-Y-Pass on the map. Please be aware though that during peak season the road to nant gwynant is hassle if the illegal Parking is still really bad. If you drive the route outside of holiday season, you will have no problems. I have also swapped the A470 at Mallwyd for the A493 coastal road. I want to make this as complete as possible. I just found that my OG route was all mountains and no water (besides lakes)

Edited by tropicalpalmtree on Monday 3rd July 23:36

[pherlopolus]

Awesome, 300 miles is a bit much for 51 year old me, on a 42 year old superdream but will give as much of it a go as I can in September.

[Mr Roper]

My house is on this route.

As it happens i'm doing a road trip around Mid Wales this Sat with my son....He's bought a new toy so we're taking the cars out early for some fun.

I've done most of the roads on your route at one point or another..Quite fancy doing the whole lot. I followed your link which brought up the route but how do I store it on my device? I'm a total nugget with this stuff.

Cheers.

[Riley Blue]

Mr Roper said:

My house is on this route.

As it happens i'm doing a road trip around Mid Wales this Sat with my son....He's bought a new toy so we're taking the cars out early for some fun.

I've done most of the roads on your route at one point or another..Quite fancy doing the whole lot. I followed your link which brought up the route but how do I store it on my device? I'm a total nugget with this stuff.

Cheers.

Open PH and this thread in the browser on your phone, click on the link and save the page to your speed dial or bookmarks or whatever.

[tropicalpalmtree]

Mr Roper said:

My house is on this route.

As it happens i'm doing a road trip around Mid Wales this Sat with my son....He's bought a new toy so we're taking the cars out early for some fun.

I've done most of the roads on your route at one point or another..Quite fancy doing the whole lot. I followed your link which brought up the route but how do I store it on my device? I'm a total nugget with this stuff.

Cheers.

Screenshot the entire route for back up. Otherwise just keep the link handy so you can use it for reference. I will make full navigation instructions sometime this week.

You could also open the map and click the star in the top left corner to bookmark it.

[Krikkit]

tropicalpalmtree said:

I had to get both roads of evo triangle in. Also I wanted to include the b5513 for its amazing view across snowdonia peaks.

OK got it, it's more a scenic route not a good driving route

I've done a quick anti-clockwise loop (because that'd be my starting direction), have to break it into multiple legs as I can't remember how to make a sufficient number of waypoints:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Sportsman's+Arms...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tremadog,+Porthm...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Welshpool/Foulke...

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 4th July 17:23

[tropicalpalmtree]

Krikkit said:

OK got it, it's more a scenic route not a good driving route

I've done a quick anti-clockwise loop (because that'd be my starting direction), have to break it into multiple legs as I can't remember how to make a sufficient number of waypoints:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Sportsman's+Arms...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Tremadog,+Porthm...

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/Welshpool/Foulke...

Edited by Krikkit on Tuesday 4th July 17:23

I have tried to get a blend of the two as i wanted it to be great driving but also lots of different scenery too hence i included the A493 coastal road over the A470 between Dolgellau and Machynlleth. As on the map, if the long distance visibility is poor or if it's raining, Avoid the B5113 and just stick to the A5 between Pentrefoelas and Betws Y Coed (if you can't see the mountains the B5113 probably isn't worth doing) I included it because this is the view on a clear day

Edited by tropicalpalmtree on Tuesday 4th July 21:06

[silentbrown]

A490 NW from Welshpool is a much nicer road than the A483.

[tropicalpalmtree]

silentbrown said:

A490 NW from Welshpool is a much nicer road than the A483.

I was worried about people getting lost on the A490 because there are so many roads shooting off everywhere seemingly to all places beginning with Llan-. But i agree it's nicer. I just thought A483 and through Llansantfraid was more straightforward to get onto the B4391. My route does pick up the A490 but near Llanfyllin

Edited by tropicalpalmtree on Wednesday 9th August 19:28

[ARHarh]

tropicalpalmtree said:

silentbrown said:

A490 NW from Welshpool is a much nicer road than the A483.

I was worried about people getting lost on the A490 because there are so many roads shooting off everywhere. But i agree it's nicer. I just thought A483 and through Llansantfraid was more straightforward to get onto the B4391. My route does pick up the A490 but near Llanfyllin

I agree A490 is far nicer but it could be easy to wonder off track and up end up lost if you don't know the road, as their are a few junctions but following the signs to Llanfyllin from Welshpool will keep you on track.

The A490 to Welshpool is my preferred route to the supermarket every Monday.

[Red Devil]

tropicalpalmtree said:

I have decided to include Pen-Y-Pass on the map. Please be aware though that during peak season the road to nant gwynant is hassle if the illegal Parking is still really bad. If you drive the route outside of holiday season, you will have no problems. I have also swapped the A470 at Mallwyd for the A493 coastal road. I want to make this as complete as possible. I just found that my OG route was all mountains and no water (besides lakes).

Each to their own, but I prefer this inland route - https://goo.gl/maps/WFNaRuGauwixUNeM7 - far fewer towns/villages to negotiate.
Superb scenic views from the road over the pass at Bwlch-y-Groes - https://goo.gl/maps/eoieh9N1x2Aj5qzR7 & https://goo.gl/maps/pqbgrYMctx1L5GNZ7