Wales on Tue 19th Aug

[430Devil]

Hi All!

I just decided to take a few days off with my gf and do a small road trip to see the sights around Wales.

Having only ever been there once I don't really know anything about this area.

We'd really like to drive some mountain routes and see some spectacular scenery.

Can anyone point me in the direction of some good roads/routes?

Also any recommendation's on hotels would be welcomed.

I'm taking a Jeep Grand Cherokee with road tyres so this is a cruising trip.

I'll be setting off from London.

Thanks

[EvoBarry]

If its a cruising trip then I can recommend the Llanberis Pass, and Nany Gwynant/Beddgelert area, some nice tight roads and great views if the weather allows. Failing that, anywhere round Bala should be good, assuming you head into NWales. Mid Wales wise I think pretty much anywhere is worth a trip tbh, once past Newtown and heading towards the coast its quite lovely.

[smiller]

Some random Celtic goodness from a Taff ex-pat:

Easy to start off by heading down the M4 towards Swansea, then following the signs for the Gower Peninsula and having a bimble 'round there (head towards Oxwich / Port Einon / Oldwoods / Reynoldston etc etc). See here: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geoc...

Then I'd head back to the M4, go westbound right to the end of the motorway and follow the signs for Ammanford. From there, follow the signs for Brynaman (should be the A474). Once in Brynaman, look for signs for either Cwmllynfell or Cefnbrynbrain and you should see signs for the A4069. Take this road. It. Is. Fantastic. This will connect you to the A40 / A483 where you should turn right towards Llandovery.

Once in Llandovery you've got options. Either follow the A40 to Brecon (then follow signs for Builth Wells which is a gateway to the roads of North Wales), or just over the river bridge in Llandovery, hang a left on to the A483 towards Llanwrtyd Wells (this would be my choice). After Llanwrtyd, you'll come into the village of Treflys. Look for a left hand turn (B4358). Spectacular road that eventually joins the A470 which takes you into Rhayader which is the gateway to the roads of the Elan Valley.

Just a small precis really.

HTH

[theboyfold]

Route

Sorry to hijack the thread, but it looks like you might be a specialist on this part of the world. I've got a weekend in Wales coming up and feel it would be rude if I didn't do my bit for the country's CO2 output by dragging the Porker kicking and screaming round the roads.

How does this route look to you? Should I take the A470 back down, or should I take the B roads that go roughly the same way?

Cheers
tbf

[smiller]

I'm not familiar with the roads between Crumlin & Merthyr, but the rest of it looks absolutely bang on for some Porker hoonery The only thing I would say is that the roads around the Elan Valley dams, especially up to the Pen-Y-Garreg Dam, are single track and v narrow.

Apart from that, happy days!

[430Devil]

Thanks guys...I'm off on my travels now!

I'll let you know how it goes!

[theboyfold]

smiller said:

I'm not familiar with the roads between Crumlin & Merthyr, but the rest of it looks absolutely bang on for some Porker hoonery The only thing I would say is that the roads around the Elan Valley dams, especially up to the Pen-Y-Garreg Dam, are single track and v narrow.

Apart from that, happy days!

So are you saying the loop to go round the dam are narrow and I'd be better off spending time on some other local roads? I'm not that interested in seeing a dam unless the roads there are great!

[mjp_001]

theboyfold said:

smiller said:

I'm not familiar with the roads between Crumlin & Merthyr, but the rest of it looks absolutely bang on for some Porker hoonery The only thing I would say is that the roads around the Elan Valley dams, especially up to the Pen-Y-Garreg Dam, are single track and v narrow.

Apart from that, happy days!

So are you saying the loop to go round the dam are narrow and I'd be better off spending time on some other local roads? I'm not that interested in seeing a dam unless the roads there are great!

I would do the road past the dams - a bit tight at first but very picturesque and then opens up later on into some really nice bends - in particular there's a big, wide left-right that was used in an evo article, m3 vs. lexus. When you get to the junction (just after the all those hairpins pictured in the Elan Valley thread - should be fun in the porker!) try going left towards Aberystwyth instead of back towards Rhyader. Starts off nice and open, a bit quicker than the earlier road. You go past the old slate mines, to Devils Bridge. You can link up with the A44 to go back across to Rhyader - nice road with great scenery but you often get stuck behind slow traffic. Or you could just head back the way you came...

I've decided I'm heading out tomorrow myself, though I haven't decided if I'm gonna head North or South yet!

Have a good'un, and if you find any hidden gems let us know!

[smiller]

What I'm saying is most of the road on your route between Rhayader through points B & C are narrow single tracks in most places. It's very picturesque though, and you'll see Pen-Y-Garreg dam whether you want to or not as it's right next to point B on the route

[mjp_001]

smiller said:

What I'm saying is most of the road on your route between Rhayader through points B & C are narrow single tracks in most places. It's very picturesque though, and you'll see Pen-Y-Garreg dam whether you want to or not as it's right next to point B on the route

Yeah it is a bit tight at times. Not a problem if you get a clear run, and most bits a fairly well sighted, but I tend to take the first bit pretty easy and enjoy the views - you never know what's around the next bend after all!

Whoever put down the centre line on the run along the reservior was a bit of an optimist, I can't help but breathe in when I pass someone coming the other way!