Llanberis pass

[JurassicGTS]

Starting to formulate a 3 day trip to Wales staying in Portmeirion for several cars.
Is there much difference driving the Llanberis pass South to North or North to South?

[JurassicGTS]

The people on the tour are looking for interesting roads, but not single track and this will be more of a touring trip rather than a hooning trip.
My first day looks like this:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qkY2Cmt9HNjCohs78?g_st=ac

This allows people just to go via Ffestiniog if they want to take the train or do the Zip wires and Caernarfon for the Castle.

[robinh73]

I am based on Anglesey and know the roads like the back of my hand. I would say either way is good but the only change I would make is from Llanrug to Porthmadog isn't the most inspiring of roads. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't very exciting.

[robinh73]

One road I would recommend is the B4391 which runs from Ffestiniog to the Bala road. Properly brilliant road. Could easily add this on to your day one.

[JurassicGTS]

robinh73 said:

I am based on Anglesey and know the roads like the back of my hand. I would say either way is good but the only change I would make is from Llanrug to Porthmadog isn't the most inspiring of roads. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't very exciting.

Great thanks, would you then come down the A4085 via Beddgelert?

[JurassicGTS]

robinh73 said:

One road I would recommend is the B4391 which runs from Ffestiniog to the Bala road. Properly brilliant road. Could easily add this on to your day one.

Planning on that day 2.
Portmeirion-Barmouth-Dolgellau-Bala-B4391 back to Ffestiniog.
Will look at timings but maybe down to Corris and Machynlleth would that be worthwhile or would you look to go elsewhere within about 100 mile and 4 hours driving?

[robinh73]

JurassicGTS said:

robinh73 said:

I am based on Anglesey and know the roads like the back of my hand. I would say either way is good but the only change I would make is from Llanrug to Porthmadog isn't the most inspiring of roads. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't very exciting.

Great thanks, would you then come down the A4085 via Beddgelert?

The A4085 is a cracker, tight and bumpy but a great road. From Beddgelert, head to Tremadog as a possibility, but the road from Beddgelert through the Glaslyn pass is stunning. Hook a left over the small bridge and aim for Penrhyndeudraeth. Absolute belter.

[robinh73]

JurassicGTS said:

Planning on that day 2.
Portmeirion-Barmouth-Dolgellau-Bala-B4391 back to Ffestiniog.
Will look at timings but maybe down to Corris and Machynlleth would that be worthwhile or would you look to go elsewhere within about 100 mile and 4 hours driving?

Corris and Machynlleth are great, aim for the Cross Foxes Inn which takes you to the Mach Loop if you are into plane spotting. Another great road which goes from the A470 down to Tonfanau and then Tywyn, which will in turn lead to the Mach Loop and Cross Foxes. I will try and find the road number.

[robinh73]

The A493 is the one that goes from the A470 to Tonfanau. To be fair, most of the roads around Snowdonia are great.

[JurassicGTS]

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zazCGd33GNUdDPXv7?g_st=am
Day 2, for some reason Google Maps won't let me start the B4391 and keeps routing me via Trawsfyndd
Need to find out why!

[robinh73]

JurassicGTS said:

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zazCGd33GNUdDPXv7?g_st=am
Day 2, for some reason Google Maps won't let me start the B4391 and keeps routing me via Trawsfyndd
Need to find out why!

Looks like a good route and a good mix of roads in there. Enjoy it all and feel free to send any questions or ideas over, more than happy to give recommendations.

[JurassicGTS]

robinh73 said:

Looks like a good route and a good mix of roads in there. Enjoy it all and feel free to send any questions or ideas over, more than happy to give recommendations.

[Pica-Pica]

robinh73 said:

JurassicGTS said:

robinh73 said:

I am based on Anglesey and know the roads like the back of my hand. I would say either way is good but the only change I would make is from Llanrug to Porthmadog isn't the most inspiring of roads. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't very exciting.

Great thanks, would you then come down the A4085 via Beddgelert?

The A4085 is a cracker, tight and bumpy but a great road. From Beddgelert, head to Tremadog as a possibility, but the road from Beddgelert through the Glaslyn pass is stunning. Hook a left over the small bridge and aim for Penrhyndeudraeth. Absolute belter.

As I local, I would agree. The original route proposed is a 'functional' road. The Beddgelert route suggested is a better route through Eryri. Be warned that Beddgelert is very flood-prone just now, we are having a lot of areas that have never flooded before.
Also be aware of the bends, a while back some lads came off the road on a tight bend near that bridge, ended up in the river and drowned.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c20p7nr7exgo

Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 8th December 17:26

[JurassicGTS]

Pica-Pica said:

robinh73 said:

JurassicGTS said:

robinh73 said:

I am based on Anglesey and know the roads like the back of my hand. I would say either way is good but the only change I would make is from Llanrug to Porthmadog isn't the most inspiring of roads. Nothing wrong with it but it isn't very exciting.

Great thanks, would you then come down the A4085 via Beddgelert?

The A4085 is a cracker, tight and bumpy but a great road. From Beddgelert, head to Tremadog as a possibility, but the road from Beddgelert through the Glaslyn pass is stunning. Hook a left over the small bridge and aim for Penrhyndeudraeth. Absolute belter.

As I local, I would agree. The original route proposed is a 'functional' road. The Beddgelert route suggested is a better route through Eryri. Be warned that Beddgelert is very flood-prone just now, we are having a lot of areas that have never flooded before.
Also be aware of the bends, a while back some lads came off the road on a tight bend near that bridge, ended up in the river and drowned.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c20p7nr7exgo

Edited by Pica-Pica on Monday 8th December 17:26

Thanks, remember that sad story. I am planning early for the Spring so hoping for good weather.

[benjipeg]

also local, would find a way to include A5 ogwen valley, capel curig to bangor one stop or the reverse, its epic with plenty of overtaking opportunities

Edited by benjipeg on Monday 8th December 18:33

[JurassicGTS]

benjipeg said:

also local, would find a way to include A5 ogwen valley, capel curig to bangor one stop or the reverse, its epic with plenty of overtaking opportunities

Edited by benjipeg on Monday 8th December 18:33

[mattvanders]

Have a look on here for “dragon loop” thread on here, lots of useful information and advice to make a lovely driving holiday. It’s more of a large loop of north and mid wales but as I did I used it as a base to plan a days drive linked in with a destination/activity/purpose for the day.

I would say the Llanberis pass is worth driving either very early or late. We rode mountain bikes on Snowdonia a few year ago but had to be on and off the mountain before the voluntary biking ban so go to drive it at 6 in the morning with no one else and rolling clouds on the lakes. Beautiful.

[JurassicGTS]

mattvanders said:

Have a look on here for dragon loop thread on here, lots of useful information and advice to make a lovely driving holiday. It s more of a large loop of north and mid wales but as I did I used it as a base to plan a days drive linked in with a destination/activity/purpose for the day.

I would say the Llanberis pass is worth driving either very early or late. We rode mountain bikes on Snowdonia a few year ago but had to be on and off the mountain before the voluntary biking ban so go to drive it at 6 in the morning with no one else and rolling clouds on the lakes. Beautiful.

Yes I have had a good read of this thread thanks

[JurassicGTS]

Okay next question.
Lakeside Classics (where I bought my 991.1GTS from) will host us for a tour of their facilities.
From Shrewsbury to Portmeirion do we:
A5-A495-B4396-B4391 up to Bala then Portmeirion
Or:
A458-Welshpool-A470-Dolgellau which I understand is old Top Gear roads.

[robinh73]

Both good options but I think the Welshpool to Dolgellau option is slightly better