Best roads in Wales? (and places to stay)

[Claude455]

Adrien, I've shamelessly pinched your Day 1 route and modified it a little - cheers!

I'm planning this for late March and appreciate it's a lengthy one but there are plenty of options to cut corners if progress is steady and it starts to get dark.

https://goo.gl/maps/ryPdnt3pu3y

I'd appreciate any feedback or suggestions in case there's anything special I'm missing out on or tweaks that could be made.

I'm not familiar with the section going west to Tregaron then north from there towards Ponterwyd on the A44, is that a better option than what I've got (east to Beulah, up to Rhayader and beyond)?

Whatever I don't cover on the way up I can always tick-off on the way back the following day, I just wanted a solid plan for day 1. Day 2 will be a much more fluid return leg, probably planned over breakfast.

Thanks

[Adrien2207]

Thanks all for the suggestions!

@Claude455 - No worries at all!

FYI below is our updated Day 1

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/The+Bear+Hotel,+Hi...

Re. your routes - I would maybe...:
- add a run around the reservoirs of Elan Valley
- On the way back include the B4520 / B4519 south of Builth Wells

Let me know your feedback once you've done it!

[Red Devil]

Adrien2207 said:

FYI below is our updated Day 1

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/The+Bear+Hotel,+Hi...

I can still vividly recall my introduction to the Tregaron - Abergwesyn mountain road.
Way back in the pre Forestry Commission days when competetive rallies were held on public roads.
A twelve and a half mile stage in the middle of the night with a very tough target time.
Only two (Welsh) crews (local knowledge helps considerably) managed to clean it.
Needless to say we didn't. We came perilously close to having an 'off' more than once!

https://goo.gl/maps/tY2x8vGQZ1k
Start - https://goo.gl/maps/mCrUCYgZhdR2
Finish - https://goo.gl/maps/bZMm6iWXpZD2
That building hadn't been converted to living space back then.

Going down the Devil's Staircase with somewhat marginal brakes was er, 'interesting'...
https://goo.gl/maps/aTmsScxBG172

The other end (looking west).
https://goo.gl/maps/BDVmzZrjbeR2

[Claude455]

Adrien2207 said:

Thanks all for the suggestions!

@Claude455 - No worries at all!

FYI below is our updated Day 1

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/The+Bear+Hotel,+Hi...

Re. your routes - I would maybe...:
- add a run around the reservoirs of Elan Valley
- On the way back include the B4520 / B4519 south of Builth Wells

Let me know your feedback once you've done it!

Thanks Adrien, I think I'll copy your route even further and also head towards Tregaron then north from there instead of missing that road out altogether and heading east.

As for the Elan Valley and the B4520, they will be saved for Day 2

My route now looks like this:

https://goo.gl/maps/wxsQuKGJnXs

Edited by Claude455 on Tuesday 15th January 15:12

[Kewy]

Claude455 said:

Thanks Adrien, I think I'll copy your route even further and also head towards Tregaron then north from there instead of missing that road out altogether and heading east.

As for the Elan Valley and the B4520, they will be saved for Day 2

My route now looks like this:

https://goo.gl/maps/wxsQuKGJnXs

Edited by Claude455 on Tuesday 15th January 15:12

So close to Black Mountain Pass (A4069) and yet you're not going to check it out? Unless you've already driven it or decided against it in which case ignore me

[nfcf]

s70rmp said:

This is a great place, really nice rooms and excellent food

http://www.crossfoxes.co.uk/

Brithdir, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2SG

The Cross Foxes is a good choice but I prefer Mawddach. The food is fantastic and it has a very nice view the only possible issue is the car park which is quite small and has an abrupt change in gradient at the entrance (my old TVR was fine though).

http://www.mawddach.com

Llanelltyd, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 2TA

[bennno]

Kewy said:

Claude455 said:

Thanks Adrien, I think I'll copy your route even further and also head towards Tregaron then north from there instead of missing that road out altogether and heading east.

As for the Elan Valley and the B4520, they will be saved for Day 2

My route now looks like this:

https://goo.gl/maps/wxsQuKGJnXs

Edited by Claude455 on Tuesday 15th January 15:12

So close to Black Mountain Pass (A4069) and yet you're not going to check it out? Unless you've already driven it or decided against it in which case ignore me

The A4069 is about the best road in the uk imho, especially heading east from Bethlehem. Used as a rally stage....

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.8612617,-3.833036,...

Upper Chapel to Lower chapel good.

A4059 a blast.

Elan Valley

Devils Staircase

Decent run back in to UK via Craven Arms

Brecon's much better than North Wales for a hoon.

[Kewy]

bennno said:

The A4069 is about the best road in the uk imho, especially heading east from Bethlehem. Used as a rally stage....

https://www.google.com/maps/@51.8612617,-3.833036,...

Upper Chapel to Lower chapel good.

A4059 a blast.

Elan Valley

Devils Staircase

Decent run back in to UK via Craven Arms

Brecon's much better than North Wales for a hoon.

Yeh its a very special road, I actually made an hour detour on my way back from Pembrokeshire the other month just so I could drive down it whilst I was 'in the area'. The only problem is that most of it is not NSL, but on the south side there is so much visability that it's not really an issue.

Interesting about BB being better than N.Wales, I've done Brecon 3 times in the last 12 months, and was planning to check out mid and north Wales in the next couple of months as I've not explored those yet (hence me keeping an eye on this thread).

Some of the roads that head north out of the Beacons are also very good. The B4520 inparticular. Heres one of its crazy sections:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BithXm4HEp8/?utm_sourc...

[kiethton]

Kewy said:

Yeh its a very special road, I actually made an hour detour on my way back from Pembrokeshire the other month just so I could drive down it whilst I was 'in the area'. The only problem is that most of it is not NSL, but on the south side there is so much visability that it's not really an issue.

Interesting about BB being better than N.Wales, I've done Brecon 3 times in the last 12 months, and was planning to check out mid and north Wales in the next couple of months as I've not explored those yet (hence me keeping an eye on this thread).

Some of the roads that head north out of the Beacons are also very good. The B4520 inparticular. Heres one of its crazy sections:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BithXm4HEp8/?utm_sourc...

One of the best bits, pic of me (Exige) enjoying the road, taken by a friend behind

[Kewy]

kiethton said:

One of the best bits, pic of me (Exige) enjoying the road, taken by a friend behind

Take me backkkkk! I think I need to start planning the next trip.

Car is currently having some work done on it so waiting to know its back in one piece before planning

[Claude455]

Cheers Kewy (and all), I've done the A4069 a few times in the past, and while there's no denying it's an absolute belter of a road, the speed limit puts me off a little as does the profile it gets as a road that's policed by marked and unmarked vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

As for the discussion around south, mid and north Wales, of course that's down to personal preference and what vehicle you're in but my votes go firmly to north and mid Wales, with special mentions for the B4391 east from Ffestiniog, all the way to Penybontfawr and beyond, and the route from Machynlleth south-east to Llanidloes (which I've heard is better in the opposite direction - I'll let you know at the end of March). The Llanberis Pass never fails to impress with the scenery, but I've never been able to time it right and get a decent run without being stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle. One day...

[Kewy]

kiethton said:

One of the best bits, pic of me (Exige) enjoying the road, taken by a friend behind

I've just realised that this is the exact same piece of road that I posted a picture of from my Insta a few posts back, just coming the opposite direction? Is that what you meant?

[kiethton]

Kewy said:

kiethton said:

One of the best bits, pic of me (Exige) enjoying the road, taken by a friend behind

I've just realised that this is the exact same piece of road that I posted a picture of from my Insta a few posts back, just coming the opposite direction? Is that what you meant?

Exactly that - was the opposite of the view you posted above

[Adrien2207]

Claude455 said:

Cheers Kewy (and all), I've done the A4069 a few times in the past, and while there's no denying it's an absolute belter of a road, the speed limit puts me off a little as does the profile it gets as a road that's policed by marked and unmarked vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

As for the discussion around south, mid and north Wales, of course that's down to personal preference and what vehicle you're in but my votes go firmly to north and mid Wales, with special mentions for the B4391 east from Ffestiniog, all the way to Penybontfawr and beyond, and the route from Machynlleth south-east to Llanidloes (which I've heard is better in the opposite direction - I'll let you know at the end of March). The Llanberis Pass never fails to impress with the scenery, but I've never been able to time it right and get a decent run without being stuck behind a slow-moving vehicle. One day...

100% agree! I also drove the A4069 last time I visited Wales, but the 40mph speed limit and extra "attention" kinda dampen the fun... Same comment re. EVO Triangle. Totally agree they are cracking roads, but victims of their popularity..

This year am looking forward to the old Military Rd to Tirabad which looks good + Llanidloes > Machynlleth (which I did in the pouring rain in a Caterham last time..)... not forgetting the Rhayader > Devils Staircase and B4391

[RJG46]

I don't know much about the local area as I was there with work, the Knighton Hotel in Knighton really was quite nice. Got some great reviews on Trip Advisor

[Red Devil]

Claude455 said:

...with special mentions for the B4391 east from Ffestiniog, all the way to Penybontfawr and beyond, and the route from Machynlleth south-east to Llanidloes (which I've heard is better in the opposite direction - I'll let you know at the end of March).

B4391 FTW!

Llanidloes -> Machynlleth is indeed better. Especially this bit - https://goo.gl/maps/PuR6e6Vv2s92 - if you're not careful you can get air going over the crest.
The subsequent left hander tightens more and more then culminates in this fabulous downhill sweep - https://goo.gl/maps/2FBaSZrkAt42
Don't get distracted by the stunning view or you'll end up visiting the scenery...

[ShampooEfficient]

B4391 is one of my favourite roads ever. Last time MrsSE and I were on it, we ended up having a brief powwow with a couple of journalists testing the then new I30N. Brilliant day!

[Kewy]

Just exploring Street View to plan some routes through Wales for my trip in a couple of weeks, and come across this

[ShampooEfficient]

Kewy said:

Just exploring Street View to plan some routes through Wales for my trip in a couple of weeks, and come across this

"Remember where we parked"

[Kewy]

ShampooEfficient said:

Kewy said:

Just exploring Street View to plan some routes through Wales for my trip in a couple of weeks, and come across this

"Remember where we parked"

'Satnav said make a right turn here!!!'