The Wales Coast to Coast ride which we did in 1997 is based around the Sustrans Route 8 Lon Las Cymru Wales coast to coast route, however the beginning and end sections are entirely our own route and have are a substitute for the actual route, for logistical reasons only. You will find that a lot of the route was covered by minor roads as the offroad alternatives were not always suitable for heavily laden bikes, however, if you plan your route in conjunction with this guide and the Sustrans guide you can vary the quantity of offroad riding to suit your needs.
This Route is split into several 1 day long sections, which is the way that we chose to tackle the route. At the end of each section is the Hostel base that we used for that night.
We started on the Bristol side of the Severn Bridge, early on a cold summer morning, the wind was moderate, but in our favour. This was to be our first big Offroad Adventure, and as we sped across the Severn we wondered what the next week was going to hold in store for us, little did we know the reality of what was to come.
The route to begin with was along minor roads leading into the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, the exact route we took from Chepstow to Goetre I cannot remember but I do remember that when we reached Goetre, a small village 5 miles north of Pontypool, we crossed the railway and joined the towpath of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. This, as you will see from the map, is a footpath and so not entirely the legal route for mountain bikers, the offroad alternatives are few and far between so either take the risk or go on road. On reaching Gilwern we realised we would need to get a move on to get to the hostel for tea so we dropped down on to the A4077 and followed this until it becomes the B4558. We followed this as far as Llangynidr, at which point we turned off for Bwlch. When you have climbed up into Bwlch (this requires some effort) you must then descend on the A40(T) for a short distance before taking the B4560 off to the right and then first left onto a minor road. At Pennorth take the road for Talyllyn and then from Talyllyn take the road around to Groesffordd and on 1 mile to the youth hostel.
After a good rest we were keen to get on, so setting off in the early morning sunshine we headed north on the same road we arrived on. After passing under the A470(T) the route we took is unclear but somehow we managed to get to Upper Chapel along minor roads and bridleways from Llanddew.
On reaching Upper Chapel we took the B4519 in a northbound direction through the artillery range. This is a superb road that is very quiet and has got excellent sweeping downhill bends. This road is one of the best, on this, one of the best days of the ride. The road climbs, bends, descends, and winds through the bleak artillery range before you reach the final peak overlooking a superb valley (Banc y Cwm) This makes an ideal stop for lunch as you are about halfway at his point. After leaving the picnic site there are two options, either take the very steep bridleway down to Llangammarch Wells, or take the superb road descent which is steep, straight with a few bends and over a mile long - then you hit a sharp bend! I can only advise you take the road option because we have not yet attempted the offroad route because both times we have done this part of the route we have been heavily laden with panniers.
Whichever way you go, you need to go into Llangammarch Wells and probably buy food if you are intending to stay in Dolgoch Youth Hostel. You will see a little shop on the road parallel with the river. If you go under the railway you have gone too far. The shop at Dolgoch sells a limited range of food, so only rely on getting food when you get there if you are desperate not to carry food for the afternoon. Remember you will need to negotiate the Devils Staircase with whatever you buy so go for the lightest food available, perhaps pasta.
Head on to Beulah along the very long, boring Roman road. Follow the A483(T) around to the left until you reach a minor road on your right, signposted to Abergwesyn, you will stay on this road until you reach the hostel.
This is a very quiet and scenic road, which becomes more scenic after you have passed Abergwesyn, with its fair share of small but steep climbs and descents. These small hills are all forgotten when you reach the Devils Staircase which is by far the challenge of the day, especially after 40 odd miles of riding, a 1 in 4 climb which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't for the hairpin bends. It has to be experienced, as does the descent on the other side, which is not quite as steep, but very rough and bumpy making for a slower descent than preferred. By the way you need to take the right fork as you descend.
The youth hostel is now in sight and only 2 miles away, you will need to ride upriver to cross and then down river along the wet track leading to the hostel.
This was a rest day during which we visited the local village of Tregaron
You awake in a tranquil valley with the gentle trickle of water accompanying quiet birdsong. Then you realise you've got a hard day of mountain biking ahead of you, in actual fact the hardest day of the ride, lunch to prepare and breakfast to eat, as well as bags to pack and maps to read.
We set off with plastic bags around our feet in an attempt to stop our feet getting wet in the first mile. You will know exactly what I mean if you visit Dolgoch. Surprisingly the plastic bag trick was a complete failure.
You will now find yourself following the Sustrans route for most of the day, first of all by winding through the Tywi Forest, after a rough start, on wide fire roads. Although it is a little complex to start with, you cannot go wrong with an OS map, the Sustrans map and a bit of common sense!
All being well after about one and a half hours you should emerge from the forest in Strata Florida Abbey. If you do, carry on to the main road and then take the uphill turning in the direction of Pont-rhys-y-groes. If you don't you either haven't got there yet or you are lost!
When you reach Ysbyth Ystwyth I suggest you continue on to Pont-rhys-y-groes rather that follow the Sustrans route to Devils Bridge. On reaching Pont-rhys-y-groes go through the village and tackle the long climb out on the other side, when it begins to get level take the road which doubles back on the left, it should be the B4343, to Devils Bridge. The last 10 miles for us were in pouring rain so we actually stopped in a little gift shop / café just after the river crossing in Pont-rhys-y-groes however there is another café at the campsite in Devils Bridge where we stopped again for a baked potato, highly recommended. This is almost the last shop on the route for the next 20 miles, which are in pretty bleak country, so I would stock up on snacks just in case you have problems on the next stretch of the route.
By the time we left the campsite shop the rain had subsided and it was beginning to brighten up for the afternoon. We took the road to the reservoir from Ponterwyd, which is on the Sustrans route, which soon becomes a gravel track, which soon becomes a rough rocky track, which is difficult to negotiate with a laden bike. At one point there is a stream crossing which is a little deep and wide, but there is a bridge 50 metres up stream, it'll involve a bit of clambering but you'll get across dry!
The rough track continues for some time before becoming smoother and much more rideable, there are a few complex turnings to be negotiated but with the aid of an OS map you can't go far wrong, eventually hitting the road again before descending into Machynlleth.
On reaching Machynlleth you are only about 5 miles off Corris which is reached by following the minor road parallel to the A487(T) out of Machynlleth in a northerly direction.
This days ride follows the Sustrans route entirely from Corris to Garreg, from which point the route you should take follows the Beddgellert road before joining the road to Capel Curig, which calls past the Bryn Gwynant Youth Hostel.
The only advice I can give for this section of the ride is "Don't get lost in Coed-y-brenin like we did"
This was a rest day during which we visited Bedgellert and Walked halfway up Snowdon
I haven't got the maps for this section so I cannot describe the route at the moment. Basically take the road to Capel Curig, at the bottom of the hill go up a steep one into the forest area, part of the Snowdonia Forest and before joining the B5106 at Llanrwst and then continue northwards to Conwy. Take this road and you will arrive in Conwy, the end of the Wales Coast to Coast Ride.
I'm sorry for the lack of detail in Days 5 and 7 but I have had trouble getting hold of the maps for this section of the route so I am working from memory of the ride, which we rode nearly 3 years ago.
Last Updated 05-09-2000
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