About the route

The route starts and finishes in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay (postcode LL29 7SP). It is less than a mile from Junction 22 on the A55 and a 30 minute drive from Queensferry.

80% of the route is on quiet lanes and bike tracks, but 100% on a tarmac surface. From Eirias Park, the ride drops down to the promenade and follows the coast into Llandudno, where it encircles the Great Orme on what can only be described as a ‘shelf’ road. . Here, there are the most incredible views towards Liverpool Bay, then around towards Puffin Island, the Menai Straits, and the Conwy Estuary.

From there, the route passes through Deganwy, over the Estuary into the historical town of Conwy, passing the 700 year old castle. After this, we climb upwards to the Sychnant Pass, with unrivalled views down the North Wales coast, as you crest the summit.

The route will then drop into the coastal town of Penmaenmawr, before picking up the Sustrans Route 5. This takes you over the Pen-Y-Clip headland, which follows the 1826 original coast road, constructed by Thomas Telford.

From here, you will continue through route 5 down to Penrhyn Castle, just outside Bangor, where the route turns south and heads inland towards the Welsh mountains. There we pick up Sustrans route 82, the famous Lon Las bike track , originally built between 1870 and 1879, to ferry slate from Penrhyn Quarry to Porth Penrhyn on the coast. This passes through several tunnels.

We leave Route 82 at Bethesda, and join the A5 to avoid the gravel sections of the trail, rejoining it 2.5 miles later, as it ascends to the top of the climb at Llyn Ogwen. At this point, we will be 38 miles into the ride and will find a feed station and public toilets.

We will then drop down the A5 for 11 miles into Betws-Y-Coed. If you’re looking for a sit down feed, this is your perfect opportunity, as after you leave Betws-Y-Coed, there is very little opportunity for food or water until you finish, (with the exception of feed 2, 20 miles later).

Turning right on the way out of Betws-Y-Coed, the route follows small back lanes, briefly crossing the A470, until we reach the small village of Penmachno. Shortly after this we ascend the main climb of the day, Cwm Penmachno, 2.7 miles long and ascending just under 1,000 feet, averaging a 6.7% incline. This brings you out at the top of the Mignient Moorland and the high point of the ride, at just a little under 1,600 feet.

From here we will turn left and drop down into Ysbyty Ifan. We will then turn right, and proceed to Pentrefoelas for the 2nd feed at 68 miles into the ride. There is again a public toilet block here, along with a cafe and a convenience store.

We then cross straight over the A5 and follow the B5113 for 15 miles. This is a quiet country lane, where you will enjoy some of the best mountain views of the day. After the Holland Arms public house, we take the 3rd right turn and drop down through the village of LLanelian, back into Colwyn Bay and through the gates of Eirias Park, where a hot cup of tea/ coffee and a commemorative slate coaster awaits your return.