Dragon Loop - Scenic Driving Road Circuit in Wales

[Weeebz]

Just done 98% of the loop in a Polestar 2 dual motor was great fun thanks so much

Only had to charge twice in Abergavenny and just outside Porthmardog

[Stan the Bat]

Welcome......

[Josemartinez]

Fantastic route, 2nd most fun I've ever had in a car. I did the top half today, saw quite a few nice cars and the sun came out to give amazing views over the hills.

Tempted to get out earlier and do the whole thing in one day, has anyone done it in a day? I only live about 30 mins from the Evo triangle.

[InlineSix]

We have just booked a two night stay in Llandderfel at the end of December to repeat the fun we had last April. Roads should be even quieter, if darker and greasier and Snowdonia should look interesting in mid winter!

We sort of did the whole route in a day: one half in six hours the first day, after driving to Llandrindod Wells from Plymouth and eight hours for the second half the following day back to Llandrindod before driving another four hours back home (this includes plenty of breaks). That made the second day very long. However I would not try it in one day; I would not have enough breaks and stops to appreciate the scenery and route, getting tired and not concentrating enough to drive the roads "properly". It would be a challenge that would make me impatient if stuck in traffic. Much better to chill and enjoy it:driving. .

[Frimley111R]

Josemartinez said:

Fantastic route, 2nd most fun I've ever had in a car. I did the top half today, saw quite a few nice cars and the sun came out to give amazing views over the hills.

Tempted to get out earlier and do the whole thing in one day, has anyone done it in a day? I only live about 30 mins from the Evo triangle.

Judging by the post above, prob not a good idea but it may depend on whether you want to stop or just hoon it all the way, but even then, it's a quite a drive.

[mattvanders]

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Zy3CiG-tzf...

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1Gq7lxMuNQ6...

Afternoon all, after my plans to do a late October NC500 fell through with a mate, we rearranged our plans to do a South Wales trip. With a bit of background knowledge from my Summer previous trip to North Wales (and the dragons loop) and then drive down south, i started to do a bit more research into South Wales route for 3 days driving. Due to there only being 2 of use but also 2 cars (due to traveling from different locations), a plan was had to drop a car off at the hotel mid day and then split the fun driving over the next few day.

I've add 2 of the days routes to this post for refencing a route - this was with use based just South of Bacons so route might not suit everyone. Will post up some photos later on. From the research i have done i couldn't find many options worth doing from the bridge into Wales (did do a different route out of Wales along the B4521 and then down the B4228 but defiantly wasn't anything special so won't post it up). Will also be looking for other options heading more to South West Wales coast, and then further up the cost line (while trying to avoid the traffic heavy routes).

[Josemartinez]

I did a decent chunk of this route today, the roads were pretty clear but the views of the hills with anow on were incredible. I got as far as Welshpool, got fleeced for fish and chips (£13) then headed over to Dolgellau, through Capel Celyn, up to the Evo triangle and home with a very dirty car.

My phone photography doesn't really do it justice. Please don't clone my plate

[TheFungle]

I normally do one or trips home to Scotland each year from Yorkshire where I bolt on a couple days of driving, I've done the majority of route variations in the Highlands thread and this year I fancy a change.

Many years ago I spent happy weekends visiting the various trail centres (Afan, Coed y Brenin, Cwmcarn) but have never driven there for the sake of driving.

I'm thinking a trip from Yorkshire to Cardigan (via Hiut denim) with an overnight stay and back the next day would allow me a solid drive out, thoughts?

[tropicalpalmtree]

Would anyone like me to add markers for interesting places to visit on the loop, like Castles, quarries, viewpoints, historical areas etc? If you would let me know.

[soad]

Don’t see why not? Always useful.

[mattvanders]

Yes please, when I did it with the wife there was lots of bribery of seeing interesting stops or activities that would make driving the road worthwhile

[ARH]

If taking the Wife, or anyone not so interested in just driving a for a day or 2, around this trip. I can help with some places in the northern half.

A stroll around the town of Dolgellau.
A stroll around the town of Betws-y-Coed.
A stroll around the village of Beddgelert.
Stop for a ice cream at Bala Lake.
Detour to a beach, Barmouth, Harlech, or my favourite Tywyn which may not be for everyone as there is very little there which means its never busy even in midsummer.
If in Tywyn check out Holgates Ice Cream Shop, great Ice cream but very busy and difficult to park on a warm summers day.
Check out Swallow Falls, Conwy Falls or Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall.

Do not bother stopping in Llanberis, Bethesda or Bala.

[RESSE]

ARH said:

If taking the Wife, or anyone not so interested in just driving a for a day or 2, around this trip. I can help with some places in the northern half.

A stroll around the town of Dolgellau.
A stroll around the town of Betws-y-Coed.
A stroll around the village of Beddgelert.
Stop for a ice cream at Bala Lake.
Detour to a beach, Barmouth, Harlech, or my favourite Tywyn which may not be for everyone as there is very little there which means its never busy even in midsummer.
If in Tywyn check out Holgates Ice Cream Shop, great Ice cream but very busy and difficult to park on a warm summers day.
Check out Swallow Falls, Conwy Falls or Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall.

Do not bother stopping in Llanberis, Bethesda or Bala.

Barmouth is one our favourite beaches (we go on New Years Eve and celebrate the day we met with a few hours on the beach) - The Last Inn is a good pub.

[ARH]

RESSE said:

ARH said:

If taking the Wife, or anyone not so interested in just driving a for a day or 2, around this trip. I can help with some places in the northern half.

A stroll around the town of Dolgellau.
A stroll around the town of Betws-y-Coed.
A stroll around the village of Beddgelert.
Stop for a ice cream at Bala Lake.
Detour to a beach, Barmouth, Harlech, or my favourite Tywyn which may not be for everyone as there is very little there which means its never busy even in midsummer.
If in Tywyn check out Holgates Ice Cream Shop, great Ice cream but very busy and difficult to park on a warm summers day.
Check out Swallow Falls, Conwy Falls or Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall.

Do not bother stopping in Llanberis, Bethesda or Bala.

Barmouth is one our favourite beaches (we go on New Years Eve and celebrate the day we met with a few hours on the beach) - The Last Inn is a good pub.

I like Barmouth in the winter, far too busy on a nice summers day though. There are far nicer beaches as well else where, even if Barmouth beach is stunning when the tide is out. But if you want a cafe or shop for a drink or lunch Barmouth will be a far better bet, than most other beaches around there.

This is how a walk on the beach should be. Tywyn in July.

.

[tropicalpalmtree]

Ok i will do it. I will put it on it's own layer on the map so it can be toggled on and off as required