Dragon Loop - Scenic Driving Road Circuit in Wales

[V8 Animal]

tropicalpalmtree said:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1KlgzIP...

Bangor to Porthmadog on that map is rather narrow. I would use the other route.

[c4gts]

silentbrown said:

Those two sections really aren't single track. The Dylife road is practically a motorway.

hehe wasn't that bit, im not that bad! i think a bit further west.

it's not so much that the road is too narrow to drive on, if it was one-way i'd have no issues. it's just i end up stressing thinking a van is going to come bombing round every bend from the other side, so drive at 2mph.

[c4gts]

Red Devil said:

You're welcome.

Be prepared for those palpitations though: Dylife is on the the unclassified section of the Rhayader-Machynlleth route.
The single track section starts half a mile after Dylife - https://maps.app.goo.gl/VUEbM48v33KH95iC9
It's well worth it though, if only for the cracking view at the superb downhill sweep here - https://maps.app.goo.gl/f4xFAssF6DgeHamP7
If you need a breather, pause at the Cadair Viewpoint/Vaughn-Thomas memorial above the clump of trees

that view does look pretty awesome tbf

[c4gts]

tropicalpalmtree said:

This route will avoid both of those sections and will be 2 solid lanes all the way

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1KlgzIP...

You could also turn off at Cemmaes Road and follow the A470 all the way to Rhayader through Caersws and Llangurig.

cheers for this mate, will have a look !!

[V8 Animal]

c4gts said:

that view does look pretty awesome tbf

Pretty scary in winter that road but a blast up to Llyn Clynog reseviour.

[P675]

Thanks for putting this together, I had a lot of fun with this on my bike today. Got to Welshpool from the Midlands at 9am and went counter-clockwise. Got as far as Dolgellau around 2.30pm and decided to call it a day as it was 3 hours home from there. Cut through the middle back to Welshpool and then home.

I was looking forward to the coastal road so next time perhaps cut through to there again and resume where I left off. If doing the Northern part again I might skip out evo triangle and the scenic touristy bits as it was a bit slow until Llanberis. Amazing places though.

[ARHarh]

P675 said:

Thanks for putting this together, I had a lot of fun with this on my bike today. Got to Welshpool from the Midlands at 9am and went counter-clockwise. Got as far as Dolgellau around 2.30pm and decided to call it a day as it was 3 hours home from there. Cut through the middle back to Welshpool and then home.

I was looking forward to the coastal road so next time perhaps cut through to there again and resume where I left off. If doing the Northern part again I might skip out evo triangle and the scenic touristy bits as it was a bit slow until Llanberis. Amazing places though.

The answer is don't go on a weekend and avoid Llanberis and Betws-y-Coed, if possible go on a sunny winters day and you will pretty much be on your own out in those hills.

I am lucky as I live only a few miles from Welshpool and retired so get to visit a lot of these parts when everyone else is at work.

[pherlopolus]

I did a bit at the top end while on Anglesey, but added caernarfon to pwllelli - porthmadog - beddgelert Caernarfon in. Was a good run

[P675]

Oh I've also got a question about speed cameras. I cant remember seeing any traditional yellow box ones. The average cameras with yellow poles stick out like a sore thumb, but there was another type which came up on Google Maps and I hadn't seen before.

It's a black/grey pole with what appears to be 2 black/grey cameras, pointing opposite directions, circular shaped. I would see one but then not see another one, so no idea when the average zone ended. If that's even what it was?? Are all the cameras yellow and these things were something else?

[ARHarh]

Not sure what the black grey cameras are but sure they are not average speed cameras. You really cant miss the average speed cameras, they are yellow on big poles with some quite big signs.

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.0487775,-3.6772147...

Much more likely to be caught by a camera van as they are everywhere, especially the roads people like to use as race tracks. Plenty of unmarked police cars and bikes as well. The Welsh do like to make some cash from the speeding motorist.

[P675]

Ah found it, this is what I mean. Just traffic cams?

[silentbrown]

P675 said:

Ah found it, this is what I mean. Just traffic cams?

Dolgellau? Just traffic cameras, I think. There's been a few bad accidents on that stretch in the past.

[wanacoop]

Hello all. This is perfect for my mates and I this year, as we're going to do our first Welsh driving holiday in May!

I've used the OP's route as a good guide and location for our trip. We've seen a good Airbnb in Barmouth, do you think that would be a good base location? We'll be driving up from Devon.

Also, are we right to go that far up into Wales? Or could we find some equally good roads in the south?

I'm assuming the roads that are suggested by the OP will be quieter than some in the south in May?

Any advice would be brilliant!

Thanks

[ARHarh]

Barmouth will be as good a place as any to over night. It is one of the busiest places in North Wales, especially on a sunny day, but then if you are used to coastal towns in Devon, it will feel deserted.

Well worth taking in the whole of Wales if you can, it will be a long drive but worth it. Read what I wrote earlier as there are a few busy places but not many.

[wanacoop]

We've ended up booking a cottage near St Harmon.

It's just touching the bottom part of the route suggested by the OP. Hopefully we can do the full loop from there.

Thanks for the advice, no doubt I'll be back for more help closer to the time.

[wanacoop]

I have another question about this route, as we're heading off soon!

How keen are the police on this part of Wales? Will this be a big concern?

Many thanks

[ARHarh]

Yep.You will.see a lot of camera vans. On the popular routes through north Wales you will come across unmarked cars and bikes as well.

[wanacoop]

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a little worried about this yo be honest, as we'll be driving quickly if the roads look safe.

[markiii]

its the same as driving anywhere

[ARHarh]

wanacoop said:

Thanks for the reply.

I'm a little worried about this yo be honest, as we'll be driving quickly if the roads look safe.

Well that's the problem if you came to roads just to drive quickly the locals will demand the police do something about the people using roads as racetracks, just like you would do if a load of Welsh people came and used your road as a racetrack. The most popular roads with the racers are already restricted and more will follow.