4 day road trip around Wales - ideas?

[Phaser]

I'm planning a trip over to Wales next month and was looking for some pointers on routes to drive. I'll be coming from Sheffield / Manchester entering at the north of Wales.

I've had a look through some forums and websites and put the following route together but I'm open to suggestions from people who have done this before.

Day 1: Sheffield > Caernarfon
Taking in the Evo Triangle and Llanberis Pass

Sheffield
Chester (Lunch)
Denbigh
Llyn Bran, Nantglyn
Cerrigydrdion
Pentrefoelas
Llanberis
Capel Curig
Caernarfon

http://goo.gl/maps/9GtRU


Day 2: Caernarfon > Aberystwyth
Llanberis Pass again, Snowdonia & Coed y Brenin, evening at Aberystywyth

Caernarfon
Llanberis
Beddgelert
Porthmadoc
Dolgellau
Machynlleth
Aberystwyth

http://goo.gl/maps/yBRfC


Day 3: Aberystwyth > Llandrindod Wells

Aberystwyth
Tregaron
Llandovery
Sennybridge
Llandrindod Wells
Pontneddfechan
Merthyr Tydfil
Pontsticill
Brecon
Llandrindod Wells

http://goo.gl/maps/qDsZh


Day 4: Llandrindod Wells > Bangor > Sheffield

Llandrindod Wells
Rrayader (Explore Elan Valley)
Bala
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Bangor
On to Colwyn Bay for lunch / a couple of hours break then the journey home

http://goo.gl/maps/92GOY

The idea is to experience some good driving roads whilst still having the opportunity for a few breaks / scenic routes. The above should cover that, and not be too much of a rush for 4 days?

 

[-Ad-]

Do Scotland instead, it makes Wales look like a flat boring old field

Pop on Pistonheads, there's a highland thread in the roads section.

 

[Phaser]

Scotland is definitely on the agenda, just thought I'd squeeze in a quick trip to Wales too.

Will check out the threads on Pistonheads.

 

[L1J]

Day 2 - Add the B4391 from Ffestiniog to the A4212, follow that to Bala and A494 to Dolgellau

Day 4 - Add the B4518 from Llanidloes to Llanbrynmair

Have fun

 

[Clarkey]

I'm planning a trip over to Wales next month and was looking for some pointers on routes to drive. I'll be coming from Sheffield / Manchester entering at the north of Wales.

I've had a look through some forums and websites and put the following route together but I'm open to suggestions from people who have done this before.

Day 1: Sheffield > Caernarfon
Taking in the Evo Triangle and Llanberis Pass

Sheffield
Chester (Lunch)
Denbigh
Llyn Bran, Nantglyn
Cerrigydrdion
Pentrefoelas
Llanberis
Capel Curig
Caernarfon

http://goo.gl/maps/9GtRU

A451 instead of 51, Mold up to Abergele. 458>544>Move point E to point F.


Day 2: Caernarfon > Aberystwyth
Llanberis Pass again, Snowdonia & Coed y Brenin, evening at Aberystywyth

Caernarfon
Llanberis
Beddgelert
Porthmadoc
Dolgellau
Machynlleth
Aberystwyth

http://goo.gl/maps/yBRfC

I just changed the map http://goo.gl/maps/2ICrh Ffestiniog to Bala is in fact driving nirvana.

Day 3: Aberystwyth > Llandrindod Wells

Aberystwyth
Tregaron
Llandovery
Sennybridge
Llandrindod Wells
Pontneddfechan
Merthyr Tydfil
Pontsticill
Brecon
Llandrindod Wells

http://goo.gl/maps/qDsZh

Try to take in The B4574, also pretty amazing, take in Devils Bridge, Elan Valley, nice Cafe in Rhayader.

Day 4: Llandrindod Wells > Bangor > Sheffield

Llandrindod Wells
Rrayader (Explore Elan Valley)
Bala
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Bangor
On to Colwyn Bay for lunch / a couple of hours break then the journey home

http://goo.gl/maps/92GOY

Definitely Elan valley if you didn't chose the above.

The idea is to experience some good driving roads whilst still having the opportunity for a few breaks / scenic routes. The above should cover that, and not be too much of a rush for 4 days?

Try to avoid the main routes at this time of year, they will be rammed with slow drivers and aren't that great anyway.

 

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Some images to sway you back up here

http://www.itr-dc2.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=98413&hilit=tour

 

[Clarkey]

That be a login screen.

 

[-Ad-]

Need to register then

 

[unrealrocks]

As above - I would be careful with main routes, if you are after any kind of spirited driving it will be busy. That said there are plenty of roads that don't really 'go anywhere' which will be prime for plenty of fun

 

[-Ad-]

Some shots from Tour d-Ecosse last year in the blazing sunshine.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

After leaving Skye

Applecross

Post-Descent pit stop

Durness Stop

Another stop after an epic run on the way to Thurso!!!

Sunday

Dunnet Head Stop (most Northerly point on in the UK)

The remains of the Abz group ontop of the Lecht

 

[scratch]

Just a few pics then

OP - I'd echo Clarkey's tip and try to avoid the main roads. I got fed up of being stuck behind slow drivers last year on a drive up to Snowdonia and decided to take my own route through the mountains. It turned out to have some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen and loads of twisty single carriageway. Best bit was there wasn't a car in sight for miles.

 

[Rimsy]

that descent towards applecross is a clutch killer. hate driving down there but the inn is great and there's some amazing scenery nearby

 

[sovietspybob]

pretty good choices, i only know north Wales really thought so can't comment on anything south. It can get busy on weekends on the trunk routes, A470, A5 but generally not too bad. Last thursday around 2pm i went from Trawsfynydd - Penrhyndeudraeth - Beddgelert - Llanberis pass - Bangor. Was hardly held up by anything and it was an amazing day, i was however in the works van with all of 80bhp but it was still great fun!

 

[Phaser]

Cheers all. I've rejigged things around with your suggestions. Added in B4560, B4391, A4212.

Day 1: http://goo.gl/maps/wmpSk (Coming in via Mold and then to Denbig instead of A55)
Day 2: http://goo.gl/maps/TL0E0
Day 3: http://goo.gl/maps/dNW2b
Day 4: http://goo.gl/maps/1rLc9

Clarkey - on day 3, would you advise skipping points E & F and going straight onto Brecon to allow longer exploring Elan Valley in the afternoon? I'll be fitting it in on the morning of day 4 but wondering whether there is lots to see / drive?

Also what's the A5025 like around the coast? Thought it might make a nice drive out on the evening of day 1, seems like there's a good selection of B roads linking up?

It works out at around 150 miles which should fill each day nicely along with a few breaks...

 

[Will]

Brecon Beacons needs to include the A4069 from Llangadog to Brynamman, in both directions.

Also include the B4560 from Garnlydan to Llangyndir, again both directions will be fun...starting at Llangyndir its uphill most of the way, probably more fun on the way up but more blind crests near the top of this road, which make it harder to sight some of the corners.

You are likely to recognise both if you watch Top Gear, or (even more frequently) watch Chris Harris's videos for Pistonheads/Drive.

Pics from my drive on these roads about 3 years ago:

Fantastic driving roads

 

[rangor gubbins]

I used to drive up to north wales regularly when i was a teenager. The B4391 to B4212 and back onto B4391 going from Bala to Ffestiniog around Afon Tryweryn are ace roads and well worth a small detour if you're in the area. Just watch out for caravans!

http://goo.gl/maps/x9xTy