A ride around the highest mountain in Wales
Distance 32 miles
Time 3.5 hours
From Graianfryn you can either ride straight down the A4244 (or its adjoining multi-user path) towards Llanberis or turn right and ride through the village of Penisarwaun then at the crossroads near the end of the village, turn left down the hill and follow the road which brings you out on the A4244. From the A4244 turn left through the small village of Brynrefail, the road taking you to the head of Llyn Padarn where there is a much photographed view of Snowdon behind the lake. Follow the old road through the bridle gates, this is a cycle path which doubles back a short way alongside the A4086 then crosses it to join the trackbed of the former Llanberis railway branch line. Continue through the tunnel, the track follows the western bank of the lake and emerges on the Llanberis by-pass which was also built on the old trackbed. On your right you will pass “Llanberis Art and Craft” which is the old station.
The A4086 takes you past the terminus of the Snowdon Mountain Railway and through Nant Peris with the disused Dinorwic quarry to your left, rising steadily to Pen y Pass where there is a café and a car park for the start of the Miners Track and Pyg Track walks up Snowdon.
Continue down the pass to the Pen y Gwryd hotel, where you turn right along Nant Gwynant, an “A” class road but quite narrow and twisting with lovely views to your right. Continue past the lakes of Llyn Gwynant on your right and Llyn Dinas on your left and into Beddgelert. There’s a famous ice-cream parlour here as well as pubs and cafes.
Take the A4085 Caernarfon road at Beddgelert and follow it as far as Waunfawr, where you turn right to Ceunant. Keep on this minor road until it meets the A4086 at Llanrug, which you cross and ride on to Penisarwaun. The road forks at the far end of the village, take the left fork and follow the road until just before the junction with the A4244. Turn left down the track where you will find Graianfryn on your left.