Dragon Loop - Scenic Driving Road Circuit in Wales
Discussion
NomadicTurbo said:
Is it possible to export the Google Maps route as a gpx file into a TomTom?
I want to force the route on a Satnav, that won't try and re-route me based on live traffic, like Google does. I want to have Waze open on my phone at the same time
The problem I had with OP's link is it's not even "google maps" it's a route planner, which is very limiting, but also allows more functions for exact roads etc. I want to force the route on a Satnav, that won't try and re-route me based on live traffic, like Google does. I want to have Waze open on my phone at the same time
I had to pick towns of the route I wanted in sections. I think you'd have to do that then export it to GPX, there are sites that'll convert: https://mapstogpx.com/#
illmonkey said:
The problem I had with OP's link is it's not even "google maps" it's a route planner, which is very limiting, but also allows more functions for exact roads etc.
I had to pick towns of the route I wanted in sections. I think you'd have to do that then export it to GPX, there are sites that'll convert: https://mapstogpx.com/#
Thanks IMI had to pick towns of the route I wanted in sections. I think you'd have to do that then export it to GPX, there are sites that'll convert: https://mapstogpx.com/#
Im going to try use the TomTom route planner and manually copy the routes and waypoints.
Thankyou all for putting these routes together.
As I live just over the border, in Cheshire, I was looking for a route that I could do in an afternoon.
So, on Monday, with the sun shining, I took the afternoon off work and headed out.
This was the section of route that I used:
Heading over from Cheshire I opted to join the 'Dragon Loop' at Welshpool, heading up to A490, over the B4391, towards Bala, round the Evo Triangle and then home via a pitstop at the Rhug Estate Farm Shop.
Total Route from my house, round the Loop and home again was 168 miles, 4hrs40
Only one photo, as I didn't want to stop driving to take photos as I was having too much fun.
As I live just over the border, in Cheshire, I was looking for a route that I could do in an afternoon.
So, on Monday, with the sun shining, I took the afternoon off work and headed out.
This was the section of route that I used:
Heading over from Cheshire I opted to join the 'Dragon Loop' at Welshpool, heading up to A490, over the B4391, towards Bala, round the Evo Triangle and then home via a pitstop at the Rhug Estate Farm Shop.
Total Route from my house, round the Loop and home again was 168 miles, 4hrs40
Only one photo, as I didn't want to stop driving to take photos as I was having too much fun.
Google Maps has an annoying limit of 10 waypoints. Fortunately there is a way round it.
Create several succesive legs and stitch them togther using this - https://www.morethan10.com/
Then send it to your phone. I use it extensively for planning run outs.
Create several succesive legs and stitch them togther using this - https://www.morethan10.com/
Then send it to your phone. I use it extensively for planning run outs.
Red Devil said:
Google Maps has an annoying limit of 10 waypoints. Fortunately there is a way round it.
Create several succesive legs and stitch them togther using this - https://www.morethan10.com/
Then send it to your phone. I use it extensively for planning run outs.
I'm trialling using my other phone as a dummy satnav, as suggested in another thread. Create several succesive legs and stitch them togther using this - https://www.morethan10.com/
Then send it to your phone. I use it extensively for planning run outs.
I signed up for TomTomGo - £20 per year, currently on offer for £13.99
Use the Plan.TomTom website to plan the route, using waypoints and then sync it to your phone. It does exactly what I wanted, and I don't mind the £13.99 fee for this year.
Now that the traffic will be busy all summer, do you think it's worth going on a Friday night to camp near Welshpool, getting up very early like 4am to do half of the route with no traffic, then the next day do the same thing for the other half?
Probably better places to camp to do a hike in the afternoon, but would have to look into it.
Probably better places to camp to do a hike in the afternoon, but would have to look into it.
I'd say you'd need to be up early on a weekend to make the most of the roads, 4am might be a little early though. Depends on how far you want to go. Traffic should be relatively light until 9am and most of the roads on this loop are less travelled.
Alternative is to try a weekday before the school holidays kick in during July. I was on the B roads around Brecon/Builth Wells/Abergavenny/Hay-on-Wye today and the traffic was relatively light. This was from around 11am-2pm.
Alternative is to try a weekday before the school holidays kick in during July. I was on the B roads around Brecon/Builth Wells/Abergavenny/Hay-on-Wye today and the traffic was relatively light. This was from around 11am-2pm.
I have been out from Oswestry over to Bala and down the Mach loop then on to Tywyn today. Set off at 9:30 roads were empty till about 11am when the camper vans came out. Back home by 5pm. Overall it's not too busy this time of year during the week, not sure about weekends, I don't venture out there at the weekend You will be caught behind tourists so don't expect to make progress. At 4am it will be deserted apart from bored policemen.
I tried doing it back in October '23 I believe it was a Sunday with oddly good weather but not that warm, left the house early it's about 1.5 hours to Welshpool, got there for about 9. Found it frustrating to get through as it was so busy in places, got as far as Dolgellau and ran out of time, took the direct route back to Welshpool and then home feeling like it hadn't been an amazing outing just hard work (on motorcycle).
Might be better in nicer weather and not having to worry about completing the whole route or going home the same day, but early morning is going to be a compromise of temperature and awakeness. Cant really take a weekday at the moment unfortunately.
Might be better in nicer weather and not having to worry about completing the whole route or going home the same day, but early morning is going to be a compromise of temperature and awakeness. Cant really take a weekday at the moment unfortunately.
Hi folks, great thread. I’m trying to build a route over a 2 days later in the year and this is all helpful. I’ve route planned for about 20 years, and built routes for my group of mates all over the UK and Europe. Many of the posts on this thread relate to the challenges of using google maps to route plan. We don’t bother with any of this faffing, and use MyRouteApp: https://www.myrouteapp.com. Create and share routes, load them into your sat nav app, it works on CarPlay and Android Auto, and if you wanted you could export to any format for whatever satnav kit you have. It works in offline mode too, for when you are out in the wilds. No limits on waypoints, maybe worth a look? Takes all the hassle out of the routing, so we can enjoy the driving more. There are loads of public routes to view and use too, in lazy mode. Many years ago the MyRouteApp software was called Tyre to Ride, a bikers app. I have no affiliation with the company, but when I had a couple of Caterham 7s, and was in the owners club, they partnered with MyRouteApp, so all members could share their routes. From that club work, I know how good the lads are that run the MyRouteApp company, a small Dutch team of cool dudes
Edited by Mucus72 on Wednesday 18th June 07:41
Red Devil said:
Google Maps has an annoying limit of 10 waypoints. Fortunately there is a way round it.
Create several succesive legs and stitch them togther using this - https://www.morethan10.com/
Then send it to your phone. I use it extensively for planning run outs.
This is what I did and it worked fine, see page 6 of this thread for my Google maps route links (Jun24)Create several succesive legs and stitch them togther using this - https://www.morethan10.com/
Then send it to your phone. I use it extensively for planning run outs.
I spent a week in North Wales recently and again found this a useful resource. I stayed at the Oakley Arms Hotel, which turned out to be a very good base for exploring most of the Dragon Loop. It was the week before schools broke up, so not much in the way of holiday traffic and most of the roads were very quiet in the evenings. I was actually working during the day, but managed to get out and drive every evening. Day 1: B4391 Ffestiniog to A4212, then up to the Evo triangle. Actually got lost in the Evo triangle area and found some lovely roads without the average speed cameras on the A544. Ended up doing all routes in all directions there. Day 2: Returned to the B4391 again before heading down to Barmouth to meet a friend and look around Barmouth. Day 3: Headed out to Porthmadog and on to Black Rock Sands to drive on the beach. Great photo opportunities there. Then took the A470 up to Betws-y-coed to have dinner at Hangin Pizzeria, which was great. Got a second wind after dinner and went on to Bangor on the A5. Great views through the mountains. Day 4: Headed out to Bala and on to the B4391 towards Llangynog. Remember to get a photo at Lake Bala by going to the Leisure Centre car park. B4391 is an epic road. Nice to have to return to do do it in both directions. Then I headed back towards Porthmadog hoping to catch the sunset at Black Rock Sands, but the weather closed in and I ended up having dinner at Spooner’s Bar at the Ffestiniog Railway Harbour Station which was bustling with train spotters. Day 5: Heading back towards home via Barmouth and on to the Penmaenpool Toll bridge, another good photo opportunity. Then on to the Mach Loop just in case. From Machynlleth, onto Forge Road and then the lovely mountain road and on to the B4518 towards Llanidloes. Sadly at that point it was all over and I headed for home by the quickest possible route, but will most definitely be back before too long!
JAC05 said:
I spent a week in North Wales recently and again found this a useful resource. I stayed at the Oakley Arms Hotel, which turned out to be a very good base for exploring most of the Dragon Loop. It was the week before schools broke up, so not much in the way of holiday traffic and most of the roads were very quiet in the evenings. I was actually working during the day, but managed to get out and drive every evening. Day 1: B4391 Ffestiniog to A4212, then up to the Evo triangle. Actually got lost in the Evo triangle area and found some lovely roads without the average speed cameras on the A544. Ended up doing all routes in all directions there. Day 2: Returned to the B4391 again before heading down to Barmouth to meet a friend and look around Barmouth. Day 3: Headed out to Porthmadog and on to Black Rock Sands to drive on the beach. Great photo opportunities there. Then took the A470 up to Betws-y-coed to have dinner at Hangin Pizzeria, which was great. Got a second wind after dinner and went on to Bangor on the A5. Great views through the mountains. Day 4: Headed out to Bala and on to the B4391 towards Llangynog. Remember to get a photo at Lake Bala by going to the Leisure Centre car park. B4391 is an epic road. Nice to have to return to do do it in both directions. Then I headed back towards Porthmadog hoping to catch the sunset at Black Rock Sands, but the weather closed in and I ended up having dinner at Spooner s Bar at the Ffestiniog Railway Harbour Station which was bustling with train spotters. Day 5: Heading back towards home via Barmouth and on to the Penmaenpool Toll bridge, another good photo opportunity. Then on to the Mach Loop just in case. From Machynlleth, onto Forge Road and then the lovely mountain road and on to the B4518 towards Llanidloes. Sadly at that point it was all over and I headed for home by the quickest possible route, but will most definitely be back before too long!
I haven't been round there for a while. Are those roads generally still 60mph or have they been restricted now?JAC05 said:
I spent a week in North Wales recently and again found this a useful resource. I stayed at the Oakley Arms Hotel, which turned out to be a very good base for exploring most of the Dragon Loop. It was the week before schools broke up, so not much in the way of holiday traffic and most of the roads were very quiet in the evenings. I was actually working during the day, but managed to get out and drive every evening. Day 1: B4391 Ffestiniog to A4212, then up to the Evo triangle. Actually got lost in the Evo triangle area and found some lovely roads without the average speed cameras on the A544. Ended up doing all routes in all directions there. Day 2: Returned to the B4391 again before heading down to Barmouth to meet a friend and look around Barmouth. Day 3: Headed out to Porthmadog and on to Black Rock Sands to drive on the beach. Great photo opportunities there. Then took the A470 up to Betws-y-coed to have dinner at Hangin Pizzeria, which was great. Got a second wind after dinner and went on to Bangor on the A5. Great views through the mountains. Day 4: Headed out to Bala and on to the B4391 towards Llangynog. Remember to get a photo at Lake Bala by going to the Leisure Centre car park. B4391 is an epic road. Nice to have to return to do do it in both directions. Then I headed back towards Porthmadog hoping to catch the sunset at Black Rock Sands, but the weather closed in and I ended up having dinner at Spooner’s Bar at the Ffestiniog Railway Harbour Station which was bustling with train spotters. Day 5: Heading back towards home via Barmouth and on to the Penmaenpool Toll bridge, another good photo opportunity. Then on to the Mach Loop just in case. From Machynlleth, onto Forge Road and then the lovely mountain road and on to the B4518 towards Llanidloes. Sadly at that point it was all over and I headed for home by the quickest possible route, but will most definitely be back before too long!
I reckon you picked the right roads mostly. I'd include the A4085 Penrhyndeudraeth to Beddgelert (past my front door 
) then the A498 Beddgelert to Pen-y-Gwryd, then the A4086 Pen-y-Gwryd to Capel Curig. Most roads are national speed limit except the 20mph sections through villages.JAC05 said:
I spent a week in North Wales recently and again found this a useful resource. I stayed at the Oakley Arms Hotel, which turned out to be a very good base for exploring most of the Dragon Loop. It was the week before schools broke up, so not much in the way of holiday traffic and most of the roads were very quiet in the evenings. I was actually working during the day, but managed to get out and drive every evening. Day 1: B4391 Ffestiniog to A4212, then up to the Evo triangle. Actually got lost in the Evo triangle area and found some lovely roads without the average speed cameras on the A544. Ended up doing all routes in all directions there. Day 2: Returned to the B4391 again before heading down to Barmouth to meet a friend and look around Barmouth. Day 3: Headed out to Porthmadog and on to Black Rock Sands to drive on the beach. Great photo opportunities there. Then took the A470 up to Betws-y-coed to have dinner at Hangin Pizzeria, which was great. Got a second wind after dinner and went on to Bangor on the A5. Great views through the mountains. Day 4: Headed out to Bala and on to the B4391 towards Llangynog. Remember to get a photo at Lake Bala by going to the Leisure Centre car park. B4391 is an epic road. Nice to have to return to do do it in both directions. Then I headed back towards Porthmadog hoping to catch the sunset at Black Rock Sands, but the weather closed in and I ended up having dinner at Spooner’s Bar at the Ffestiniog Railway Harbour Station which was bustling with train spotters. Day 5: Heading back towards home via Barmouth and on to the Penmaenpool Toll bridge, another good photo opportunity. Then on to the Mach Loop just in case. From Machynlleth, onto Forge Road and then the lovely mountain road and on to the B4518 towards Llanidloes. Sadly at that point it was all over and I headed for home by the quickest possible route, but will most definitely be back before too long!
I'll be looking for somewhere to shake down a new car in the next couple of months and that looks like it'll be the perfect route!Just back from my own Welsh road adventure with the wife and other family. First of would like to thank the original post author for the loop and everyone else who has made suggestions.
I had originally started to make plans for earlier on in the year as 40th birthday celebration but when I found out my brother was coming over from the states I moved the dates to combine the two. This did mean we didn’t follow the route fully but used it as a way of traveling to get to a location to meet up for an activity. We go north Wales a fair amount for mountain biking so know the area well but it’s more fun to take something more interesting and without bikes on the roof.
Started at Welshpool and headed north along the route before having to cut the day short and head over the Penmacho pass to do a food shop for all at Porthmadog - passed a group of Belgians on the narrow parts consisting of 911 981, 944, serria cossie, bmw z8 and e30 m3, think they were impressed with the tt…maybe
Drove B4391 both ways as it was so good before heading up the A5 and on to Anglesey to see south slack light house. With it getting later in the day we returned to Barmouth vie Snowdonia and A498 (A4085 is a bit more narrow but still fun) with a late dinner at Bristo Hebog (great food and worth planing in a stop there).
Lastly we travelled in one day north to south along the A487, past Dylife and on to a stop of at Elan valley and dams. Next was the B4520 to Becon before heading along to A4069 - probably the most disappointing bit of road of the trip with very poor surface, low speeds (though average speed cameras were cut down) and not great roads to get back to Becon. There was a road closure on the A4215 which meant we decided to cut the driving and head to the hotel in Blackwood before heading home. Just over 1250miles for the week away. Traffic was not bad considering it was 6 week holiday, some of the other road users were great with waving you on to over take but there were others that blocked you on purpose on open straight roads (so take care).
2 peoples clothing for a week and a bike in there too
I had originally started to make plans for earlier on in the year as 40th birthday celebration but when I found out my brother was coming over from the states I moved the dates to combine the two. This did mean we didn’t follow the route fully but used it as a way of traveling to get to a location to meet up for an activity. We go north Wales a fair amount for mountain biking so know the area well but it’s more fun to take something more interesting and without bikes on the roof.
Started at Welshpool and headed north along the route before having to cut the day short and head over the Penmacho pass to do a food shop for all at Porthmadog - passed a group of Belgians on the narrow parts consisting of 911 981, 944, serria cossie, bmw z8 and e30 m3, think they were impressed with the tt…maybe
Drove B4391 both ways as it was so good before heading up the A5 and on to Anglesey to see south slack light house. With it getting later in the day we returned to Barmouth vie Snowdonia and A498 (A4085 is a bit more narrow but still fun) with a late dinner at Bristo Hebog (great food and worth planing in a stop there).
Lastly we travelled in one day north to south along the A487, past Dylife and on to a stop of at Elan valley and dams. Next was the B4520 to Becon before heading along to A4069 - probably the most disappointing bit of road of the trip with very poor surface, low speeds (though average speed cameras were cut down) and not great roads to get back to Becon. There was a road closure on the A4215 which meant we decided to cut the driving and head to the hotel in Blackwood before heading home. Just over 1250miles for the week away. Traffic was not bad considering it was 6 week holiday, some of the other road users were great with waving you on to over take but there were others that blocked you on purpose on open straight roads (so take care).
2 peoples clothing for a week and a bike in there too
Edited by mattvanders on Monday 18th August 14:06
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