Cycling in Snowdonia (Eryri)
Covering 823 square miles, Snowdonia National Park (now known by its Welsh name of Eryri) has a dramatic natural landscape that encompasses nine mountain ranges and huge swathes of pine forest, peppered with tranquil lakes, steep-sided valleys, waterfalls and pretty rural villages. Cycling in Snowdonia is one of the best ways to explore the park, and our range of routes for road cyclists, families and mountain bikers includes everything from a legendary road climb to a long-distance adventure, off-road tracks and gentle lakeside paths. Which will you choose?
Road cycling routes
Ffordd Brailsford Way
Distance: 75 miles (120km)
Difficulty: Challenging
Time: 5 hours+
The testing 75-mile loop of the Ffordd Brailsford Way, one of the best road cycling routes in Snowdonia, is named in honour of the former performance director of British Cycling, renowned coach Dave Brailsford, who grew up and learned his trade in and around Eryri.
Starting and finishing in Caernarfon, it travels through the heart of the national park and perfectly encapsulates everything that Snowdonia has to offer, taking in tough hill climbs at Drws Y Coed and Pen y Pass, exhilarating descents, Caernarfon and Dolwyddelan castles, and historic sites that typify the region's industrial heritage.
If you’d like to get a flavour of the route (which also offers a shorter 50-mile (80km) option), take a look at Visit Snowdonia's downloadable leaflet and promotional YouTube video. A downloadable GPS file is essential, and you can find one on Komoot or Ridewithgps.
The Llanberis Pass
Distance: 8 miles
Difficulty: Intermediate
Time: 1 hour
Between the Glyderau and Snowdon mountain ranges, the Llanberis Pass has a justified reputation as one of the most beautiful climbs in the UK, and is an absolute must. Depending on your energy and experience, you can choose from numerous routes that include the pass, but for simplicity’s sake, and a pure experience, we’d suggest starting out by trying this eight-mile loop on Komoot.
Trans Snowdonia (Traws Eryri) cycle route
Distance: 122 miles (196km)
Difficulty: Challenging (experienced cyclists only)
Time: Usually 4-5 days
You’ll have to leave your road bike at home if you’re planning to take on this adventurous long-distance route across Snowdonia. Created by Cycling UK and Natural Resources Wales and launched in August 2023, the Trans Snowdonia cycling route (Traws Eryri) runs north from Machynlleth all the way to Conwy, following off-road routes, forest tracks, byways, trails and Roman roads. taking in open hillsides, wooded valleys, historic sites and, of course, mountains, with over 4,000 metres of climbs. A hardtail mountain bike (with a wide gear range and suspension) is recommended, and will also allow you to visit the MTB trail centres in Coed y Brenin, Dyfi Forest and Gwydir Forest along the way.
Needless to say, the trip requires a high level of fitness, stamina and careful planning. You’ll need bikepacking bags, clothing for all weathers, tools and spares, a GPS file and backup maps, plus camping equipment and/or a plan for where to stay overnight. There are plenty of accommodation options along the route (including budget-friendly Snowdonia campsites), and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t break the trip down into as many manageable stages as you like – there’s no hurry, after all. We can assure you that it will all be worth it, and if you like a challenge there couldn’t be a better way to discover the park.
If you’re finding this hard to resist, there are full details of the route, a downloadable GPS file and lots of useful advice on the excellent Cycling UK website, and this article answers some common questions.
Leisure and family rides
There are plenty of options for family cycling in Snowdonia, and Visit Snowdonia has some great suggestions. Here are two of our favourites.
Mawddach Trail
Distance: 9 Miles (15km)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 45 mins to 1 hour
A great choice for a family ride, the Mawddach Trail is a flat, even and almost entirely traffic-free trail following the south shore of the Mawddach estuary along the former railway line from Dolgellau to Barmouth. Suitable for any age or ability, it’s clearly marked and easy to follow, with great views of the estuary, Y Garn mountain and the foothills of Cadair Idris. It passes the Mawddach Valley – Arthog Bog RSPB reserve along the way, and finishes with a real treat, crossing over the old railway bridge over the mouth of the estuary.
Bikes are available to rent from Dolgellau Cycles, open 7 days a week in spring, summer and autumn, and moments from the start of the trail.
Lôn Gwyrfai
Distance: 4.5 miles (7km) one way
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 2 hours, out and back
This easy, well-signposted route between Rhyd Ddu and Beddgelert is suitable for hybrid, mountain and gravel bikes, and has great views of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) and the Gwyrfai Valley. Along the way, it passes through the edge of Beddgelert Forest, and runs parallel to the Welsh Highland Railway, so watch out for steam trains.
This trail leaflet has a useful map and pictures of the route.
Mixed terrain adventures
Coed y Brenin; Yr Afon Trail
Distance: 6.75 miles (11 km)
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 1-3 hours
Coed y Brenin is Wales’ most famous mountain biking centre, but if you’d like a taste of cycling in the forest, its low-level, riverside Yr Afon trail is passable on a gravel bike or a hardtail mountain bike, waymarked all the way, and billed as family friendly. It’s more of a challenge than riding on the road, with a couple of short climbs and one steep descent, but it passes through some of the prettiest parts of the forest and you’ll be rewarded with views of two waterfalls on the Gain and Mawddach rivers.
If you have energetic teenagers and a sense of adventure, this is the one for you. You can download the trail’s leaflet before setting off. For more information and advice, contact the on-site bike shop, Beics Brenin, which has hardtail bikes available to rent.
If you’d like to know more about mountain biking in Coed y Brenin and the rest of Snowdonia, take a look at our Eryri mountain biking guide.
Lôn Eifion Cycleway
Distance: 12.5 miles (20km)
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 3.5 hours
Part of the National Cycle Network’s Route 8 (the 250-mile Lôn Las Cymru that runs the length of Wales), the popular Lôn Eifion trail skirts the edge of Eryri along the route of the restored Welsh Highland Railway, so there’s every chance you’ll spot a steam train. It’s traffic-free all the way, with the added bonus of a visit to Caernarfon Castle or the beautiful Glynllifon Country Park en route, so it’s a great option for a leisurely family trip. You’ll also get some great coastal views of the Llŷn Peninsula, Caernarfon Bay and Anglesey, and the countryside and mountains of Snowdonia to the east.
Bikes are available to hire from Beics Antur Bikes in Caernarfon, and there’s a handy map on the Visit Snowdonia website.
Cycling is healthy, environmentally friendly, and one of the best ways to discover the beauty of Snowdonia. Whether you’re a road cyclist, a mountain biker or a family looking for a gentle leisure ride, there’s a place to pedal out there for you. Take a look at the resources below for more ideas and tips.