Wales Trip, Early Feb worth it?

[Overlag]

Hi there,


Im just posting about a planned Roadtrip I would like to do 8th-12th of Feb. General Idea is to drive to Wales Monday 8th, head towards Brecon Beacons, do the A4069 and other roads (which?) then spend a night there. Tuesday Head up to Elan valley, then drive upto the Main Destination, Snowdonia (Porthmadog). Other choice would be to forget Brecon Beacons, stay In England for the night somewhere near Hereford and head upto Elan valley.

I know the weather wont be fantastic, but whats worrying me is the possibility of Snow closing some of the "driving roads" i plan to do along the way, or even making it impossible to drive Elan to Porthmadog within 6hours. I know we cant predict the weather. Im also aware that alot of the attractions will be closed, IE the Snowdon Mountain railway, and the Welsh Highland Railway will be closed. Would there be anything to do at all at this time of year? I could get away with 100% driving+views, however the girlfriend will want other things to do!

[Chris71]

Hi,

It can be superb.

I went for a road trip around South Wales in mid February last year and it was blue skies, dry roads and some awesome driving.

Some random babble about it in my blog: http://chriscarblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/run-to-hi...

I'm sure it can be wall-to-wall blizzards and road closures, so I'd leave it as a last minute thing, but it can be great. If the car wasn't laid up at the moment I'd be looking to do the same thing again.

Chris

[Don]

It is all going to depend on the weather.

If it's grim - then it will be very, very grim in February.

BUT - it will be quiet. You cannot know just how great that makes North Wales. During the summer it's as bad as Cornwall - heaving. When it's quiet and you can have the scenery to yourself it's just brill.

Also: as with any tourist destination some things close over the winter season. What is guaranteed to remain open is the great outdoors.

I'd book last minute if it's scheduled not to piss down the entire while. And research the girlfriend things to do so you know they'll be open. Lonely Planet and Google should sort you out.

[TheBaj]

I say do it!

Me and a few friends did a Wales day trip the weekend just gone, less than a week after the snow chaos but the roads were absolute fine. We checked the weather the day before and decided to go for it.

We only managed around North Wales, there was snow on the hills but all the roads were easily passable - Llanberis Pass, Horseshoe Pass, Evo Triangle etc.

Actually, any chance for a pic hey

[Overlag]

yeh i did North Wales Oct 2009, great trip and really want to go back. Thats why this trip ends up back at Porthmadog. I really want to see snowcapped Snowdonia, but at the same time nice clear roads, best of both worlds. I wonder if it can happen.





Monday I plan to arrive at the Severn crossing around 11pm, Brecon roads i plan on doing are A4069 (must), A4067 (any good?) A4059 (any good?), I wonder if theres enough daylight to do this? (sunset 1715).

Rough route from Brecon Tuesday morning would be: B4520, B4519, B4358, A470 to Elan valley, A470 to llanidloes, B4518 through staylittle then main roads (A470?) to Porthmadog, unless its still light in which case i may pop off down to Barmouth for the sunset. I think this day may be alittle long and may be pitch black before i even get half way? (if the avg speeds are right down).

Wednesday/Thursday I hope to do as many of the roads ive done on my last trip:


Friday home via horseshoe, M54,M6,M1 etc

Edited by Overlag on Tuesday 19th January 12:55

[snorkel sucker]

if you could leave it as late as poss that would be the best in terms of assessing the weather. of course, its best done when it is dry, but ive been out many a time when it wet and its just as entertaining, in a different way.

There wont be great deal to do, but then again, even in summer the majority of the attraction is getting your walking gear on and enjoying some of the great countryside. Places like Llangollen and Betws y coed are worth a visit for something a bit more touristy.

I live 10mins from the horseshoe pass and even last weekend the roads were fine - if you ignore the 6 foot piles of snow on the side of the road! there arent really any poor roads as such but take a look at some of the threads on here for some advice. It a bit different in winter as it is generally more quiet anyway, but ive spent many a summer morning up at the crack of dawn to do "my" 100 mile route - particularly remember the time i was sharing some of it with a ferrari and a maclaren slr....mmmmmmmmm...