Hi
I am finally at the point to book our 5 nights in North Wales. After reading all the information here it looks like Comwy would be a good base. We do have a car. My question is if we are looking to bike for a day in Snowdonia is there a different place we should stay a night or so? We are driving up from Cardiff.
Thank you
I am not denying that Conwy is a nice and very historic place to stay, but so many people go there because it is on at least one of Rick's itineraries,
But if you have a car and are there for the walking in Snowdonia it would be good to stay in one of the villages/small towns which are more centrally located in Snowdonia, rather than on the north coast.
Llanberis, Beddgelert, Llanwrst and Betws-y-Coed all spring to mind. All are attractive small towns geared to walkers with lots of accommodation and eating options.
For cycling the western edge of the National Park is probably better- around Dolgellau and Barmouth. Barmouth is something of a seaside resort so one of the quieter seaside towns further up the coast like Tywyn or Harlech (with it's wonderful castle) may be a preferable option. The Mawddach trail (an old railway line) is a well established cycle trail between Dolgellau and Barmouth.
If you like them there are a whole host of steam railways in the area, all of which are great fun.
There is also a Wurlitzer theatre organ at Tywyn which hosts regular concerts, so other things to do than walking/cycling.
This is great information. We are looking at mountain biking and hiking. As well want to see the other sites the North has to offer. I will definitely take a look at Dolgellau as it supposed to be close to Coed y Brenin which has mountain biking. Perhaps 2 nights there and then another closer to Conwy.
It is very kind of you to be so helpful!
You have been offered sound advice by isn above. Dolgellau has a cycle trail that is in fact a former railway and is also right by the Coed-Y-Brennin Mountain Bike trails. Barmouth is also another possible place where you might like to stay. Both these towns are also a shorter drive up from Cardiff than trying to reach Conwy on the north coast. People on RS all seem to head to Conwy because RS says that it the place to go. That may be so if you don’t have a car but being as you are driving, you have the freedom to choose a wide choice of locations. Even for people without car, I would suggest that Porthmadog makes a good base for Snowdonia.
Be warned that some of the ‘A’ roads in the Snowdonia National Park can get very busy with traffic, they also have some very steep hills and are narrow. You would not want to be riding a bike on these roads with a load of cars wanting to overtake and when they do be breathing in the fumes.
Be sure to visit Harlech Castle & Portmeirion whilst in south Snowdonia. Conwy is not such a good base as it is so far north.
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/find-a-route-on-the-national-cycle-network/mawddach-trail-dolgellau/
https://www.beicsbrenin.co.uk
