South to North Wales linking route & a couple of Q's
Discussion
I couldn't find complete answers to some of this, so apologies for creating another new Wales thread!
I'm off to Wales on Monday for a few days camping, and will be staying in the south around Brecon (as advised in the Holidays section) and have some nice routes mapped out around there. However, I am also intending on heading up to the EVO triangle, Elan etc for a day to see what North Wales has to offer and have found some nice looking routes around there using the search.
What is the best route to take to link them up? I've seen a route that uses the A470 that links up to the A487 via the B4518 using the search, which seems good, but the main thing I'm concerned about are the road width etc.
I'll be taking the GTO over there which isn't the most svelte of vehicles and is pretty low, so what are the roads to avoid? Should I even chance the Devils Staircase? Is there a better direction to take to reduce the chances of meeting someone else?
The plan is to take a large map with some routes marked out on it, along with some Google map printouts coupled with my sat nav/mobile Google maps to ensure we don't get too lost (I will thankfully have a navigator) and provide a decent amount of flexibility.
Cheers
I'm off to Wales on Monday for a few days camping, and will be staying in the south around Brecon (as advised in the Holidays section) and have some nice routes mapped out around there. However, I am also intending on heading up to the EVO triangle, Elan etc for a day to see what North Wales has to offer and have found some nice looking routes around there using the search.
What is the best route to take to link them up? I've seen a route that uses the A470 that links up to the A487 via the B4518 using the search, which seems good, but the main thing I'm concerned about are the road width etc.
I'll be taking the GTO over there which isn't the most svelte of vehicles and is pretty low, so what are the roads to avoid? Should I even chance the Devils Staircase? Is there a better direction to take to reduce the chances of meeting someone else?
The plan is to take a large map with some routes marked out on it, along with some Google map printouts coupled with my sat nav/mobile Google maps to ensure we don't get too lost (I will thankfully have a navigator) and provide a decent amount of flexibility.
Cheers
I have done this a couple of time this year - it adds about 5 hours and 150 miles to my journey from Surrey but well worth it on occasion.
I think because the roads from South to North are relatively quiet there are a lot of routes you can't go wrong with but some of my favourties.
A4069 from Brynamman to llangadog on the edge of the Brecons.
Then I do a483 and a470 to Rhayader which is pretty boring by Welsh standards.
then the B4518 from Rhayader to Llanidleos which is brilliant on a sunny day.
Then I normally get to Dolgellau somehow..north of there the turning off the a470 on to a4212 and then looping back to Ffestiniog is a great road but twice this year there has been a camera van on the junction of the road back to Ffestiniog.
There are so many good roads after that to the triangle I think you can't go wrong whatever you choose. Fantastic part of the UK for driving.
I did this in my Elise and the road widths are all sensible
I think because the roads from South to North are relatively quiet there are a lot of routes you can't go wrong with but some of my favourties.
A4069 from Brynamman to llangadog on the edge of the Brecons.
Then I do a483 and a470 to Rhayader which is pretty boring by Welsh standards.
then the B4518 from Rhayader to Llanidleos which is brilliant on a sunny day.
Then I normally get to Dolgellau somehow..north of there the turning off the a470 on to a4212 and then looping back to Ffestiniog is a great road but twice this year there has been a camera van on the junction of the road back to Ffestiniog.
There are so many good roads after that to the triangle I think you can't go wrong whatever you choose. Fantastic part of the UK for driving.
I did this in my Elise and the road widths are all sensible
The A470 is a bit boring, and can get busy. I prefer the A483 as it's (usually) faster, twister, and quieter.
However, taking the A483 means you miss the opportunity to get off the A470 at Rhayader and go through the Elan valley to B4574 at Devil's Bridge and on to the A44.
If you turn west on the A44 you'll head towards Aberystwyth, and you can then get on to the A487 all the way up to Dolgellau.
Then you have the choice of the A470 to Betws-y-coed, or the A494 to Bala. Both of which join the A5, which is one side of the Evo Triangle.
Something along THESE lines.
Almost everything on the route is fine for coaches so will be fine for cars, except for the Elan Valley bit which is narrower (though smooth), and prone to sheep attacks, but we've had no problem in a high-speed convoy of M5s, M3 CSLs and Z4Ms.
However, taking the A483 means you miss the opportunity to get off the A470 at Rhayader and go through the Elan valley to B4574 at Devil's Bridge and on to the A44.
If you turn west on the A44 you'll head towards Aberystwyth, and you can then get on to the A487 all the way up to Dolgellau.
Then you have the choice of the A470 to Betws-y-coed, or the A494 to Bala. Both of which join the A5, which is one side of the Evo Triangle.
Something along THESE lines.
Almost everything on the route is fine for coaches so will be fine for cars, except for the Elan Valley bit which is narrower (though smooth), and prone to sheep attacks, but we've had no problem in a high-speed convoy of M5s, M3 CSLs and Z4Ms.
Edited by mmm-five on Thursday 7th July 20:56
Cannot recommend Rhayader to Devils bridge route via Elan Valley enough, its a tad narrow in places but visibility is usually good, just got to be a little aware of the sheep.
Devils bridge to Aberystwyth via A44 is a waste though, the A4120 is much quieter, and has some fantastic sections, I'm lucky enough to live along it when I'm in the UK.
Alternatively there is the Abergwesyn-Tregaron road, best known for the Devils staircase, which has recently been resurfaced and isn't quite as narrow and sketchy as it was in the past. The road up past Llyn Brianne(awesome in its own right) from the south connects to it, giving you the choice to head to either Tergaron or Abergwesyn(down Devils staircase).
Devils bridge to Aberystwyth via A44 is a waste though, the A4120 is much quieter, and has some fantastic sections, I'm lucky enough to live along it when I'm in the UK.
Alternatively there is the Abergwesyn-Tregaron road, best known for the Devils staircase, which has recently been resurfaced and isn't quite as narrow and sketchy as it was in the past. The road up past Llyn Brianne(awesome in its own right) from the south connects to it, giving you the choice to head to either Tergaron or Abergwesyn(down Devils staircase).
In general, the further north you go the more likely you are to find a fun road with an 'A' prefix! Some of the ordinary main roads are in fact pretty spectacular by the time you get into Snowdonia.
You've already got the first road that sprang into my head when you mentioned going up the middle of Wales - the B4518. It does have a few narrow-ish bits towards the northern end - nothing that you'll have any difficulty physically driving through, but places where you'll have to ease off. Most of it, though, is well-sighted and wide enough to be driven enthusiastically.
Where are you entering Wales? If you're coming over the bridge (or anywhere in that sort of area) it's worth taking the B4235 from Chepstow to Usk. It puts you onto a proper driving road within minutes of crossing the border. Then take your pick of the routes across the Beacons (well documented on here) and north from Brecon along the B4520.
Wish I was there myself now.
You've already got the first road that sprang into my head when you mentioned going up the middle of Wales - the B4518. It does have a few narrow-ish bits towards the northern end - nothing that you'll have any difficulty physically driving through, but places where you'll have to ease off. Most of it, though, is well-sighted and wide enough to be driven enthusiastically.
Where are you entering Wales? If you're coming over the bridge (or anywhere in that sort of area) it's worth taking the B4235 from Chepstow to Usk. It puts you onto a proper driving road within minutes of crossing the border. Then take your pick of the routes across the Beacons (well documented on here) and north from Brecon along the B4520.
Wish I was there myself now.
Cheers all! I'm now back and had a great time, and even the barge of a GTO handled herself with aplomb!
We did the Devils bridge route via the Elan Valley, and tbh, that was the highlight of the trip for me. Not only were the roads pretty quiet so it was safe to put your foot down, the scenery was fantastic and the weather was great. Stopped a few places for pictures and I hope I got some great ones.
Unfortunately, on the Monday we were running late and so ended up going via Gloucester to get there and went straight to the campsite, so no interesting route in. Tuesday was much better, headed all over the place and went to the Pendeyrn distillery (and took that awesome road to it - A4059, which was pretty much empty except for some suicidal sheep), then to Port Talbot and Swansea and took the scenic route getting there.
Wednesday was a packed day, Elan Valley, Bala, Betws-y-coed (had dinner in the Bistro there, fantastic food and very pretty waitresses!) and the EVO Triangle (good, however there were nicer roads, but I was blessed with it being very very quiet on the direction we took, 1 car that turned off about 30 seconds after we caught it, and 1 cyclist) as well and then back to Brecon via the B4518, which was awesome especially late at night, as there was nobody else on it.
We did do parts of the A4120, but not all of it unfortunately, as we had spent a bit too much time in Elan and were running pretty late to do the EVO Triangle, as it was we didnt get back to the campsite on Wednesday till midnight and we had set off from Brecon at 9am! Have a few ideas on where to go for my next visit though, but will wait till after the summer holidays/out of season for another visit.
I did find marking out the intended routes on the O/S tour travel maps to be very helpful, since I only have a basic sat nav and is a PITA to programme in a route, and also having a navigator made life easier as well.
We did the Devils bridge route via the Elan Valley, and tbh, that was the highlight of the trip for me. Not only were the roads pretty quiet so it was safe to put your foot down, the scenery was fantastic and the weather was great. Stopped a few places for pictures and I hope I got some great ones.
Unfortunately, on the Monday we were running late and so ended up going via Gloucester to get there and went straight to the campsite, so no interesting route in. Tuesday was much better, headed all over the place and went to the Pendeyrn distillery (and took that awesome road to it - A4059, which was pretty much empty except for some suicidal sheep), then to Port Talbot and Swansea and took the scenic route getting there.
Wednesday was a packed day, Elan Valley, Bala, Betws-y-coed (had dinner in the Bistro there, fantastic food and very pretty waitresses!) and the EVO Triangle (good, however there were nicer roads, but I was blessed with it being very very quiet on the direction we took, 1 car that turned off about 30 seconds after we caught it, and 1 cyclist) as well and then back to Brecon via the B4518, which was awesome especially late at night, as there was nobody else on it.
We did do parts of the A4120, but not all of it unfortunately, as we had spent a bit too much time in Elan and were running pretty late to do the EVO Triangle, as it was we didnt get back to the campsite on Wednesday till midnight and we had set off from Brecon at 9am! Have a few ideas on where to go for my next visit though, but will wait till after the summer holidays/out of season for another visit.
I did find marking out the intended routes on the O/S tour travel maps to be very helpful, since I only have a basic sat nav and is a PITA to programme in a route, and also having a navigator made life easier as well.
Nice one, glad you enjoyed it.
There are so many amazing roads around here, I still haven't discovered everything and I live right in the middle of it all!
Its certainly amusing to be flicking through american car mags in the states and come across a Ferrari road test shot on that Elan Valley road!
There are so many amazing roads around here, I still haven't discovered everything and I live right in the middle of it all!
Its certainly amusing to be flicking through american car mags in the states and come across a Ferrari road test shot on that Elan Valley road!
Edited by FisiP1 on Monday 18th July 16:41
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