Discussion
I always seem to plan my road trips well in advance and this one will be no different. I'm going to do a week in Wales next year (around May/June), I did France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg this year on a huge tour over 19 days and Scotland over a week the year before that and now I'm planning next years road trip and I've decided to do Wales. To get there I'm going over Buttertubs and Snakes Pass and will probably stop somewhere around Shrewsbury (this can very easily be changed to somewhere else, it's just a random choice close to where I want to start into Wales) so on my first day into Wales I can take in Horseshoe Pass, The Evo Triangle and the Llanberis Pass easily. I've no real idea about the rest of Wales and while I don't mind spending 7 or 8 hours in the driving seat after my Euro trip I'd probably rather it was around 5 hours each day so plenty of stops and photos can be taken. Accomodation will be a tent so no real problems with where the routes are to and from but what I need are 5 routes, each around 5 hours around Wales. I've got one route pretty much sorted as stated above (Horseshoe, Evo and Llanberis), I just need another 4 days worth of routes now but I've no real idea of where I definitely shouldn't be missing. Something like the route below for the first day (tweaks will be made over the coming months)
http://goo.gl/maps/O3leU (I know, I know, I said around 5 hours and that's over 6 but sometimes I can't help myself)
http://goo.gl/maps/O3leU (I know, I know, I said around 5 hours and that's over 6 but sometimes I can't help myself)
Where to start.
Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
beeblebrox said:
Dblue said:
Yes, absolutely. See route above.
FWIW your link goes to the bog standard Google Maps page, not a specific route.https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Shrewsbury&am...
Dblue said:
Where to start.
Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
It's Ruthin Peter, and it's pronounced Rithin.Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Whilst chatting with a Welsh mate a few years ago, I mentioned I was heading down to Pumsaint. (I pronounced it as it reads)
"No you're not" he said
"I am"
"You're not, and do you you know why you're not ?"
"Do tell"
"Because Pumsaint doesn't exist" he replied
"Really, what's this then scotch mist ?" I said pointing to it on the map.
"That my dear fellow is Pimsaint . . . "
As you were
Dblue said:
Where to start.
Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
It's Ruthin Peter, and it's pronounced Rithin.Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Whilst chatting with a Welsh mate a few years ago, I mentioned I was heading down to Pumsaint. (I pronounced it as it reads)
"No you're not" he said
"I am"
"You're not, and do you you know why you're not ?"
"Do tell"
"Because Pumsaint doesn't exist" he replied
"Really, what's this then scotch mist ?" I said pointing to it on the map.
"That my dear fellow is Pimsaint . . . "
As you were
For your day 1, the A55/Anglesey combo isn't too interesting as has been pointed out.
After the evo triangle, instead of heading to Betwys-y-Coed on the A5 turn right onto the B5113 which is a fantastic single-track road (switching to single carriageway about two-thirds of the way up). Cut across to the B5106 at Conwy and head south on this road rather than north as per your current route, to pick up the A5 and Llanberis Pass.
I second the B4391 which in combination with the A4212 west of Bala is a must-drive if you are in North Wales.
After the evo triangle, instead of heading to Betwys-y-Coed on the A5 turn right onto the B5113 which is a fantastic single-track road (switching to single carriageway about two-thirds of the way up). Cut across to the B5106 at Conwy and head south on this road rather than north as per your current route, to pick up the A5 and Llanberis Pass.
I second the B4391 which in combination with the A4212 west of Bala is a must-drive if you are in North Wales.
Slippydiff said:
Dblue said:
Where to start.
Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
It's Ruthin Peter, and it's pronounced Rithin.Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Whilst chatting with a Welsh mate a few years ago, I mentioned I was heading down to Pumsaint. (I pronounced it as it reads)
"No you're not" he said
"I am"
"You're not, and do you you know why you're not ?"
"Do tell"
"Because Pumsaint doesn't exist" he replied
"Really, what's this then scotch mist ?" I said pointing to it on the map.
"That my dear fellow is Pimsaint . . . "
As you were
Good info on the proper pronunciation of Ruthin though, didn't know that.
Dblue said:
Slippydiff said:
Dblue said:
Where to start.
Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
It's Ruthin Peter, and it's pronounced Rithin.Your route over the Horseshoe pass is good but you should also include the nearby A525 towards Ruffin, then come back on it and continue on your route to the EVO triangle.
The llanberis pass is worthwhile but Anglesey is Ho hum. Personally I wouldn't bother crossing the straights at all.
Do Day 1 like this
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&tab=wl
Whilst chatting with a Welsh mate a few years ago, I mentioned I was heading down to Pumsaint. (I pronounced it as it reads)
"No you're not" he said
"I am"
"You're not, and do you you know why you're not ?"
"Do tell"
"Because Pumsaint doesn't exist" he replied
"Really, what's this then scotch mist ?" I said pointing to it on the map.
"That my dear fellow is Pimsaint . . . "
As you were
Good info on the proper pronunciation of Ruthin though, didn't know that.
I did a weekend trip around mid-North Wales two years ago and used it as the basis for a feature in TotalBMW magazine.
We took in some fantastic roads and stumbled across some by accident which put the triangle in it's place. I can't remember the exact routes off the top of my head but I could dig out the editorial which covers everything if it's any use to you?
We took in some fantastic roads and stumbled across some by accident which put the triangle in it's place. I can't remember the exact routes off the top of my head but I could dig out the editorial which covers everything if it's any use to you?
Great timing for this thread - I'm in a hotel in Wales this weekend.
They rang me shortly after booking to say there was an issue they needed to make me aware of - a rally will be passing nearby on Saturday night 1am to 3am. No problem at all - I'll get some beers if I can find out what it is!
They rang me shortly after booking to say there was an issue they needed to make me aware of - a rally will be passing nearby on Saturday night 1am to 3am. No problem at all - I'll get some beers if I can find out what it is!
SmilerFTM said:
Cheers people, info much appreciated. I won't just be sticking to north Wales either. I've got 5 days of driving planned around the country so will be heading all over.
I can recommend the following:From the B4403 at Llanuwchllyn to Bwlch-y-Groes (aka Hellfire Pass).
From there you can either go south to Dinas Mawwdwy or east to Lake Vyrnwy.
Devils Bridge -> Rhyader (Aberystwyth Mountain Road).
Then go back again and turn left here.
Turn right across the bridge between Garreg-dhu and Caban-coch here.
Continue on this road all the way past Claerwen reservoir to the Teifi Inn.
Turn left onto the B4343 to Tregaron. In the town, go straight ahead here.
This is start of 12 epic miles of mountain road to Abergwesyn including the 1 in 4 Devil's Staircase.
It's also worth taking the detour from here to visit Llyn Brianne.
B4519/B4520 Garth -> Brecon
The highest mountain pass in Wales Bwlch yr Efengyl (aka Gospel Pass) south of Hay-on-Wye.
0a said:
Great timing for this thread - I'm in a hotel in Wales this weekend.
They rang me shortly after booking to say there was an issue they needed to make me aware of - a rally will be passing nearby on Saturday night 1am to 3am. No problem at all - I'll get some beers if I can find out what it is!
Pretty sure it was Le Jog.They rang me shortly after booking to say there was an issue they needed to make me aware of - a rally will be passing nearby on Saturday night 1am to 3am. No problem at all - I'll get some beers if I can find out what it is!
If you're looking for an overnight stop in the Llanberis area on day 1 I can recommend the Snowdon Inn / Cwellyn Arms just outside Ryhd Ddu on the western face of Snowdon. Great pub with good nosebag and usually a good range of ales on, campsite 10 mins walk up the road. Breakfast was pricey last time I was there.
Also... plenty of scameras in Wales in general.
Also... plenty of scameras in Wales in general.
It's very interesting all this as taking my beloved GT3 over to Wales for our debut route trip together.
Was going to stay in Dolgellau on the 1st night and then hit the route mentioned above in Snowdonia Park but perhaps may change the route to the much closer to me South/South West area.
My question is: does anyone know how I enter the short URL code (previously saved) back into the Google maps app on my iPhone? I've tried saving it to 'my saved trips' from main computer but when I open it up on my phone/map app it just c ock's it up right at the end when I should see the route again displayed in maps.
I want full commitment with Google Maps as my co driver so wanna get this sorted.
If you can understand the above and help many thanks!
Was going to stay in Dolgellau on the 1st night and then hit the route mentioned above in Snowdonia Park but perhaps may change the route to the much closer to me South/South West area.
My question is: does anyone know how I enter the short URL code (previously saved) back into the Google maps app on my iPhone? I've tried saving it to 'my saved trips' from main computer but when I open it up on my phone/map app it just c ock's it up right at the end when I should see the route again displayed in maps.
I want full commitment with Google Maps as my co driver so wanna get this sorted.
If you can understand the above and help many thanks!
rich40 said:
North Wales is nowhere near as good as the South in my opinion.
Without wanting to give away the gems, the area from central Wales to the South East of Wales is amazing.
That's an interesting viewpoint but I have to say I disagree whole-heartedly. The Brecons and the area around Monmouth indeed have some very nice roads, but the riches available in Snowdonia and Denbigh area are on a whole different level.Without wanting to give away the gems, the area from central Wales to the South East of Wales is amazing.
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