With Paul B just back on his
mountain bike after an injury
and Sabine only just getting
into riding off-road I looked at
the map and picked out a
short loop I'd had my eye on
for some time.
The route was to start in
Trefriw, in Cowny valley near
Llanrwst. The route would
take us into the mountains,
around Llyn Cowlyd reservoir.
After dropping into Capel
Curig we would then climb
back over the mountains and
return to Trefriw.
mountain bike after an injury
and Sabine only just getting
into riding off-road I looked at
the map and picked out a
short loop I'd had my eye on
for some time.
The route was to start in
Trefriw, in Cowny valley near
Llanrwst. The route would
take us into the mountains,
around Llyn Cowlyd reservoir.
After dropping into Capel
Curig we would then climb
back over the mountains and
return to Trefriw.
1. After pulling into the car park at Trefriw (GR782630) we had our customary fettle and look at the clouds to work out
what clothes to take. Setting off we headed back towards the main road, turning right over the bridge then almost
immediately left at the cafe. Low gears were engaged as the road climbed steeply straight away. Following this road
directly ahead we climbed to the junction with the cemetery sign and turned right (GR777633). The climb continued,
skirting Coed Creigiau which was on our right. We regrouped at a sharp left turn in the road. It had been steep till this
point, or so we thought. As the woods were left behind the road only got steeper, throwing in a good few switch backs to
keep things interesting. With words of encouragement and promises that most rides didn't have this hard a start I was
doing my best to help Sabine up the hill. She was doing well on her own though, gritting her teeth and getting on with it.
The pain was worth it as the views across Conwy valley were stunning. 2.5miles later we made the top (GR758641) and
Pauls celebratory wheelie was followed by looking at the snow capped peak in the distance.
what clothes to take. Setting off we headed back towards the main road, turning right over the bridge then almost
immediately left at the cafe. Low gears were engaged as the road climbed steeply straight away. Following this road
directly ahead we climbed to the junction with the cemetery sign and turned right (GR777633). The climb continued,
skirting Coed Creigiau which was on our right. We regrouped at a sharp left turn in the road. It had been steep till this
point, or so we thought. As the woods were left behind the road only got steeper, throwing in a good few switch backs to
keep things interesting. With words of encouragement and promises that most rides didn't have this hard a start I was
doing my best to help Sabine up the hill. She was doing well on her own though, gritting her teeth and getting on with it.
The pain was worth it as the views across Conwy valley were stunning. 2.5miles later we made the top (GR758641) and
Pauls celebratory wheelie was followed by looking at the snow capped peak in the distance.
2. We then descended on the road to a gate
just before crossing a stream, where the road
turned to a wide gravel track. We took a small
break at the derelict building on the
crossroads then headed straight on, climbing
up underneath the large pipeline and turning
left (GR743642).
3. Passing an uninhabited house we went
through a gate which led onto a grassy double
track climb and started to get our first views of
the reservoir. Just after the track levelled out
we followed it left at the junction and down to
the dam.
just before crossing a stream, where the road
turned to a wide gravel track. We took a small
break at the derelict building on the
crossroads then headed straight on, climbing
up underneath the large pipeline and turning
left (GR743642).
3. Passing an uninhabited house we went
through a gate which led onto a grassy double
track climb and started to get our first views of
the reservoir. Just after the track levelled out
we followed it left at the junction and down to
the dam.
4. Turning right at the hut we set off down the trail which (GR737635) followed
the edge of the reservoir. This started out as an easy grassy trail but as we
progressed further the sides of the valley got steeper. The trail became
gradually more rocky with the scree from the slopes. The going became difficult,
a very technical pick your way through affair. A great challenge if you like that
kind of thing, which I do, butas Sabines number of outings on her bike hadn't
reached double figures I was worried she would not be enjoying herself as she
was having to walk a lot of sections. Fortunately the sun was out and the views
were good and she gave it a go. Even me and Paul had to admit it was tough.
We finally made it the length of the reservoir and pushed the short section to
the edge of the reservoir. This started out as an easy grassy trail but as we
progressed further the sides of the valley got steeper. The trail became
gradually more rocky with the scree from the slopes. The going became difficult,
a very technical pick your way through affair. A great challenge if you like that
kind of thing, which I do, butas Sabines number of outings on her bike hadn't
reached double figures I was worried she would not be enjoying herself as she
was having to walk a lot of sections. Fortunately the sun was out and the views
were good and she gave it a go. Even me and Paul had to admit it was tough.
We finally made it the length of the reservoir and pushed the short section to
the saddle between Pen Llithrig y Wrach and
Craigiau Gleision where we found a nice spot
for lunch. We then set off up the trail and
turned left over the bridge where the streams
met (GR716609).
5. The track turned a bit boggy in places at
this point. After a little right left we came out
onto a wide grassy descent that was a bit soft
in a lot of places and had quite a few drainage
ditches but this didn't last.too long. There was
a marker post on the way down even though
Craigiau Gleision where we found a nice spot
for lunch. We then set off up the trail and
turned left over the bridge where the streams
met (GR716609).
5. The track turned a bit boggy in places at
this point. After a little right left we came out
onto a wide grassy descent that was a bit soft
in a lot of places and had quite a few drainage
ditches but this didn't last.too long. There was
a marker post on the way down even though
left, but they seemed to join up again (although I would have to confirm that) and came to a
gate not long after the split. What followed was a sweet bit of grassy trail, with a little slate
bridge on the way, that finished at the main road (GR718589)
6. We turned left and followed the road into Capel Curig. At the junction we turned left
through the gate just before the chapel (GR721582) and climbed the track, following it left
then right around the curve of the hill. The track, which became rocky, turned left through
a drystone wall and then right to the top of the climb. We followed the flagstones off to the
right and onto a gate leading to a nice bit of singletrack through a wood. Near the end of
the wood the trail started climbing and we found it getting increasingly technical again.
gate not long after the split. What followed was a sweet bit of grassy trail, with a little slate
bridge on the way, that finished at the main road (GR718589)
6. We turned left and followed the road into Capel Curig. At the junction we turned left
through the gate just before the chapel (GR721582) and climbed the track, following it left
then right around the curve of the hill. The track, which became rocky, turned left through
a drystone wall and then right to the top of the climb. We followed the flagstones off to the
right and onto a gate leading to a nice bit of singletrack through a wood. Near the end of
the wood the trail started climbing and we found it getting increasingly technical again.
7. When I got to the junction in the trail, just after the stream crossing,
(GR732581) I was feeling increasingly guilty as I could see Sabine walking again.
The short loop in the mountains was turning into a real trek. At the junction we
turned left and climbed to the head of the small valley, tackling one technical rock
section after another. The trail hugged the right hand side of the valley and
tracked the bottom of the hills to the saddle (GR738596).
8. We regrouped at the top tired, but the views in the late golden sunlight gave
us all the lift we needed. We set off down the BW, down the slope on the far side
of the saddle, not the track off up to the right which is a footpath. The top part of
the descent quickly came out onto the top of a very steep boulder field which then
(GR732581) I was feeling increasingly guilty as I could see Sabine walking again.
The short loop in the mountains was turning into a real trek. At the junction we
turned left and climbed to the head of the small valley, tackling one technical rock
section after another. The trail hugged the right hand side of the valley and
tracked the bottom of the hills to the saddle (GR738596).
8. We regrouped at the top tired, but the views in the late golden sunlight gave
us all the lift we needed. We set off down the BW, down the slope on the far side
of the saddle, not the track off up to the right which is a footpath. The top part of
the descent quickly came out onto the top of a very steep boulder field which then
gave way to some fast double track as
the trail turned left. We followed the
main double track gaining speed and
bouncing down the little earth steps and
through a number of turns as it twisted
back on itself through a steep 'S' bend
then continued down some more little
steps to a gate.
the trail turned left. We followed the
main double track gaining speed and
bouncing down the little earth steps and
through a number of turns as it twisted
back on itself through a steep 'S' bend
then continued down some more little
steps to a gate.
9. We turned left through the gate at the bottom and rode across the grass
towards the house. On the houses far side we then turned right and rode down a
gravel track to a gate (GR740603) where the track became a tarmac road (tocontinue on the MBR Killer Loop jump to
paragraph 10 below). Once through the gate we followed the road all the way back to Trefriw and the car park where we
started.
This route can be plotted on OS Landranger 115. The loop is just over 13 miles but it is very tough going. Our average
speed before the final road section was just 4mph, about half what it usually is. If you want to practise your slow speed
riding technique in some great scenery you should have a good ride. For those who get tired and hungry halfway round
there are some shops in Capel Curig and a nice little cafe by the Capel Curig YHA.
paragraph 10 below). Once through the gate we followed the road all the way back to Trefriw and the car park where we
started.
This route can be plotted on OS Landranger 115. The loop is just over 13 miles but it is very tough going. Our average
speed before the final road section was just 4mph, about half what it usually is. If you want to practise your slow speed
riding technique in some great scenery you should have a good ride. For those who get tired and hungry halfway round
there are some shops in Capel Curig and a nice little cafe by the Capel Curig YHA.
| (extension) |
After a plea for help from Emma and some hasty organising by me and Tom Locke a decision was made to make this a
Killer Loop by adding in the Marin Trail. This is something I had been thinking of doing for a while so it was a good kick up
the arse to get it done. A spooky drive on my own through Gwydyr Forest, the night before, allowed me to finalise my
route choice. I was looking forward to the ride the next day. The Sunday saw me, Maca, Emma, Paul P, Neil, Tom and
Geoff (the photographer) setting off from the car park in Trefriw at 9.30am as we had a long day ahead of us. The first
climb got us warmed up, especially Geoff with his pack full of camera bits. I have checked and the climb is equivalent to
riding half way up Snowdon, gaining roughly 400m altitude in 2miles. We then followed the Trefriw - Capel Curig loop, with
plenty of posing for the camera and eating of Toms food stash, till we hit the road by Llyn Crafnant.
Killer Loop by adding in the Marin Trail. This is something I had been thinking of doing for a while so it was a good kick up
the arse to get it done. A spooky drive on my own through Gwydyr Forest, the night before, allowed me to finalise my
route choice. I was looking forward to the ride the next day. The Sunday saw me, Maca, Emma, Paul P, Neil, Tom and
Geoff (the photographer) setting off from the car park in Trefriw at 9.30am as we had a long day ahead of us. The first
climb got us warmed up, especially Geoff with his pack full of camera bits. I have checked and the climb is equivalent to
riding half way up Snowdon, gaining roughly 400m altitude in 2miles. We then followed the Trefriw - Capel Curig loop, with
plenty of posing for the camera and eating of Toms food stash, till we hit the road by Llyn Crafnant.
10. Once through the gate we followed the road for about 2miles. At the car park, on the left after the road dropped away
from the end of the lake, we turned right on the fire track into the woods (GR717618), shown below. We climbed the fire
track a short way and then followed the hairpin right. It was then a long climb up through the woods to the next junction,
near the top, where we continued straight ahead around the right hand bend (GR754608). The track very soon started
going down hill and at the next junction, on a left hand bend, we turned right (GR756603). We continued descending
around a long left hand bend past the next junction, on the right (GR755602). The fire track then went through a right/left
turn to bring us out by the edge of Llyn Geirionydd where it turned right and, after a short straight, to a junction with a
tarmac lane (GR761603).
from the end of the lake, we turned right on the fire track into the woods (GR717618), shown below. We climbed the fire
track a short way and then followed the hairpin right. It was then a long climb up through the woods to the next junction,
near the top, where we continued straight ahead around the right hand bend (GR754608). The track very soon started
going down hill and at the next junction, on a left hand bend, we turned right (GR756603). We continued descending
around a long left hand bend past the next junction, on the right (GR755602). The fire track then went through a right/left
turn to bring us out by the edge of Llyn Geirionydd where it turned right and, after a short straight, to a junction with a
tarmac lane (GR761603).
11. Turning right onto the tarmac we followed the road as it turned
left up a short sharp climb, that settled down into a long, more
gradual, gradient. The road eventually started descending, and
after just over a mile since the start of the tarmac, came to another
junction (GR771588).
left up a short sharp climb, that settled down into a long, more
gradual, gradient. The road eventually started descending, and
after just over a mile since the start of the tarmac, came to another
junction (GR771588).
12. A right turn would have seen us picking up the Marin Trail,
on the tarmac section just after the Cyffty Tube singletrack.
After the right turn, riding down hill on the road would have
brought us to a fire track off to the right. Climbing this track,
following the Marin Trail marker posts, leads to Dragon's Tail
which was just over the hill. For a while the route finding is easy
with the route following the Marin Trail all the way to the car park
at the end, the main one below the one with the toilets.
on the tarmac section just after the Cyffty Tube singletrack.
After the right turn, riding down hill on the road would have
brought us to a fire track off to the right. Climbing this track,
following the Marin Trail marker posts, leads to Dragon's Tail
which was just over the hill. For a while the route finding is easy
with the route following the Marin Trail all the way to the car park
at the end, the main one below the one with the toilets.
13. Due to fading light we had to turn left and take a
shortcut along the road, which would see us picking up
the planned route at the end of Marin Trail. We came
to the top car park (with the toilets) and cut off right on
the last section of singletrack. Coming to the end of
the trail we turned left and rode to the exit of the main
shortcut along the road, which would see us picking up
the planned route at the end of Marin Trail. We came
to the top car park (with the toilets) and cut off right on
the last section of singletrack. Coming to the end of
the trail we turned left and rode to the exit of the main
car park and then, turning right, followed the tarmac lane down to the junction
(GR793611). All that was left was to turn left and ride the two flat tarmac miles
back to Trefriw and the cars.
(GR793611). All that was left was to turn left and ride the two flat tarmac miles
back to Trefriw and the cars.
Thanks to everyone who turned up that day and made such a great ride. The weather gods had even been kind and
given us one rain free, calm day when the rest of the week was awful. For Toms side of the story go out and buy the Jan
'05 issue of MBR Magazine (or get it on back order) and read the Killer Loop feature. All of this loop can be plotted on OS
Landranger 115. In addition to my previous warning DO NOT use the sketch map for navigation as, along with many other
reasons, it contains the Marin Trail that is subject to changes and diversions. There are pictures of the Marin Trail in the
gallery section of this site.
given us one rain free, calm day when the rest of the week was awful. For Toms side of the story go out and buy the Jan
'05 issue of MBR Magazine (or get it on back order) and read the Killer Loop feature. All of this loop can be plotted on OS
Landranger 115. In addition to my previous warning DO NOT use the sketch map for navigation as, along with many other
reasons, it contains the Marin Trail that is subject to changes and diversions. There are pictures of the Marin Trail in the
gallery section of this site.
the trail was fairly well defined. After some time we came
to a big rock drop but it was easy to see. Once this was
negotiated there was a choice of two tracks, we took the
to a big rock drop but it was easy to see. Once this was
negotiated there was a choice of two tracks, we took the
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