Lon A499 Cycle Path – Llanwnda to Llanaelhaearn
By Dave Roberts
on April 30, 2015 No ratings yet.
Posted as a walk in –
Lon A499 Cycle Path – Llanwnda to Llanaelhaearn
Route Essentials
Route Summary
See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.
Distance
16.57 kmAscent
217 mTime
Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Start Location
Difficulty
Hazards
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Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Lon A499 Cycle Path – Llanwnda to Llanaelhaearn Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download
Lon A499 Cycle Path – Llanwnda to Llanaelhaearn
This route starts in Llanwnda, where it connects to Lon Eifion, and ends just before the village of Llanaelhaearn – ending in a narrow verge as you enter the village and the speed limit reduces to 30. There’s a number of country lanes that branch off to turn this route into a circuit.
The initial section is along what’s essentially a wide pavement, but it’s a vast and welcome improvement on the previous arrangement of nothing. I actually bought my current house partially on the development of this cycle path as it literally connects my drive to the Lon Eifion route, and onwards into Caernarfon.
There are few to no facilities on the way, barring a garage in Clynnog – the pub has unfortunately closed. You can divert from the track into Glynllifon for a café, or to the Ty’n Llan at Llandwrog that also do lunches and is only a few minutes diversion.
Route Description.
1 From the small car park at Llanwnda, follow the minor road into the village and onto a traffic free track at the far end of the village. Keep onto this track – there’s a right of way to bikes from the drives, but you still need to take care. Some also seem to think it’s acceptable to park across this path along this section, which through the hamlet of Bethesda Bach is narrow enough as it is. Diverting onto the A499 is hardly welcome.
2 After 2 Km, you cross a minor road and begin to follow the Glynllifon wall. Keep an eye out for a junction for Llandwrog if you want to visit the pub. The path remains parallel, and too close to the road, but does begin to separate with a fence as you follow the old road in places.
3 The track continues in this vein, following the old road in sections and a wide pavement in others, but always parallel to the main road. You can access the shore at Pontllyfni or Aberdesach, though there are no facilities to be seen!
4 Clynnog marks the 10km point – The track at this point enters the village and takes to the quiet road. The pub’s now shut, but there’s a garage with a well stocked Londis attached. You pick up the track again as the village road rejoins the busy A499
5 Gyrn Goch – The next section has some spectacular views up towards Gyrn Goch, and as well as the rapidly approaching Yr Eifl hills. It’s worth doing this section in reverse (or just turn around!), as the views towards Ynys Mon (Anglesey) and the sea are impressive.
6 Final Pull to Llanaelhaearn. The final 4km sees a decent 100m in ascent, but is never steep.
There are a number of minor tracks that can be used to connect to Lon Eifion from Llanaelhaearn which take you to Bryncir and a 15km return leg along a traffic free route. We’ve not explored these lanes yet, but we’ll post the route as soon as we have!
Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks
Route Summary:
Route Start Location:
Distance |
Ascent |
Time |
16.57 km | 217 m |
Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.
Activivity Type:
Summits and Places on this Route
Facilities
Check out the businesses nearby for more places to stay and drink.
Hazards
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.
Parking :
Public Transport:
Guidebooks: