Lon Gwyrfai Rough Route

By Dave Roberts   

on May 29, 2011    No ratings yet.

Lon Gwyrfai Rough Route

Route Essentials

Route Summary

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

16.04 km

Ascent

284 m

Time

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Difficulty

Moderate Walk, Mountain Biking, Trail or Fell Runs

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
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 Gwyrfai Rough Route Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Lon Gwyrfai Rough Route

This is a pleasant run or cycle from Caernarfon to Waunfawr and back again.. It’s mainly on country lanes, but there’s one stretch over the flanks of Moel Smytho that takes you over a pleasant green lane that’s almost easy enough for a hybrid. Back through Waunfawr, where you may well stop off at the pub seeing as you’re passing, and back via the Lon Gwyrfai cycle track (mainly lanes).

Distance, Ascent and Time  16km, 2200m, 13hrs

OS Map Required Explorer 017BMC MapLandranger 115

Difficulties  Might be too rough for hybrids

Grading Blue MTB / Moderate Walk / Hard Run

Start / End  Caernarfon

Facilities Plenty, inc Pub, Shop and cafe half way!

Public Transport Buses and WHR available.

1. The route starts by the Anglesey Hotel, or Aber Foreshore bridge, both next to the castle. There is ample paid parking here. Skirt around the castle, aiming towards the hills (if they are visible). Or, with back to the bridge and facing the castle, turn right (this is one way, so you’ll need to push the bike or go around the one way system!).

2. Past the castle, you follow the road between the buildings, and come to the Welsh Highland Raliway station. Pass this, and you arrive at the start of the cycle track to your left. This is obvious as it has a bike-sculpture above the path.

3. Follow this path for about 1km until you come to a pedestrian crossing over the railway. Cross this and then follow the track to your right as opposed to up the steps in front of you (which will also take you where we’re going, but you need to cross a very busy road to do so). You will find yourself now next to the River Seiont. The path will veer off left, taking you to the old main road and over the old bridge. Cross the bridge and you are on the main road.

4. There are now Lon Gwyrfai wayposts that you can follow. They are blue and have the route’s name on them. Turn left along the pavement and take the first left up a small country road. The waypoints now guide the way, as you will need to fork off the road right, a waypoint indicates this.

5. After about 1.5 km the minor road crosses a main road, but it isn’t a busy one, but is national speed limit. Again, look out for the blue signs. A similar minor road leads the way on the opposite side of the road.

6. Contiune along this road, which becomes rougher as you go on. You eventually arrive at a farmyard. Cross this diagonally to your right, towards a large barn, as opposed to directly ahead. The path continues to your left via a gate, there is a large roller in front of it to prevent 4×4 drivers i’d presume, but it is perfectly passable for all other traffic.

7. The path beyond is certainly not suitable for motor traffic, it used to be pretty rough but has recently been brutally tarmacked for bikes. There are views above the treetops of the Gwyrfai to your right, and there is also an information panel along this stretch.

8. Soon, you arrive at a crossroads. Do not go straight ahead, though if you do you can shorten the walk a great deal and reduce the climbing required, instead turn right past a buzzing pumping station. Cross a bridge and follow the track uphill to your right. It’s a straightforward track to follow, bringing you to the level crossing in less than 1km. Turn right here, not left to the private road, until you reach another minor road. Turn left here.

9. It is straightforward now. Follow the road, until you arrive at a farm. Follow the track left, which soon becomes a narrow path with some gorse along it’s sides. This section involves a steep climb, but it’s worth it. The path will then contour the hillside, providing views over to Caernarfon and Anglesey.

10. All too soon, this section is over, and all that’s left is to follow the road down to Waunfawr. Here you can catch a train to Caernarfon, and wait in the Snowdonia Park pub with a good pint (CAMRA listed) of bitter brewed on-site, a choice of five handpumps and decent food.

11. Follow the main road over the bridge towards Caernarfon (caution – this is narrow and can be busy!)

12. Once through the village, you’ll see a tarmac path on the left that takes you to a left hand junction that’s waymarked Lon Gwyrfai.

13. Follow this lane and you’ll soon find yourself at the crossroads 8 and a mostly downhill trip back to the start.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Route Start Location:

Distance
Ascent
Time
16.04 km 284 m

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Moderate Walk, Mountain Biking, Trail or Fell Runs

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:

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps

Guidebooks:

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Dave Roberts

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