13. Turn left and climb this lane into the trees. Stay on this lane as it descends then
goes through a right hand bend to cross a short plateau. Climb the lane a short way to
the crest on the other side. After the crest descend the steep tarmac a short way to a
gated track on the left hand side of a right hand bend (GR650186).
14. Go left through the gate to follow the signed BW. The trail soon splits at a drystone
wall. Stay to the right of the wall and descend the singletrack. The track bears left then
right and comes to a gate. Go through the gate and up a short climb for a great view
across the Mawddach Estuary. After the crest the trail bears left and descends to a gate
This is a mountain bike route of 29.6miles on the western edge of the Snowdonia National Park. It starts from just
outside Dolgellau with a gentle warm up and beautiful views on the Mawddach Trail before heading into the mountains
behind Barmouth for some long, hard climbs and technical, rocky descents.
1. Start from the car park at the head of the Mawddach Trail, near Dolgellau (GR714183). Go over the cattle grid to
the next car park. Go straight on through the gate at the start of the Mawddach Trail. Follow this wide, flat trail to the
car park at the toll bridge. Go straight on through the car park and across the road, keeping the toll bridge on the
outside Dolgellau with a gentle warm up and beautiful views on the Mawddach Trail before heading into the mountains
behind Barmouth for some long, hard climbs and technical, rocky descents.
1. Start from the car park at the head of the Mawddach Trail, near Dolgellau (GR714183). Go over the cattle grid to
the next car park. Go straight on through the gate at the start of the Mawddach Trail. Follow this wide, flat trail to the
car park at the toll bridge. Go straight on through the car park and across the road, keeping the toll bridge on the
right. Continue along the Mawddach Trail on the left hand bank of the
Mawddach Estuary for 4.5miles until it eventually comes to the railway station
car park (GR628140). At this point the trail bears right through the trees, with
the car park and station on the left. After the station continue along the trail as
it travels parallel to the railway line and goes across the estuary on Barmouth
Bridge. At the far side pay the toll then climb a short way to the main road in
Barmouth (GR619156).
2. Turn right and climb a short distance to the next junction with a lane on the
left, where the main road turns right. Turn left and climb the steep lane to the
next junction. Go straight up the very steep lane and climb to the junction at
the top (if you don’t fancy this bit the lane that goes right at the bottom is the
one you rejoin at the top). Follow the lane left and continue climbing. Go
straight on at the next junction then, at the following forked junction, take the
less steep lane to the right. Stay on this lane and ignore any junctions to either
side and climb up the left hand side of a small valley. At the end of the valley
the lane kicks up left then follows the line of the mountain through a long open
right hand bend past a light scattering of farm buildings. Near the end of the
tarmac the lane kicks up through a left then right bend to a junction at Slyfean
farm (GR631185).
3. Turn left and climb the wide rocky track to a gate. Go through the gate and
follow the trail as it bears left then right around the contour of the mountainside.
Mawddach Estuary for 4.5miles until it eventually comes to the railway station
car park (GR628140). At this point the trail bears right through the trees, with
the car park and station on the left. After the station continue along the trail as
it travels parallel to the railway line and goes across the estuary on Barmouth
Bridge. At the far side pay the toll then climb a short way to the main road in
Barmouth (GR619156).
2. Turn right and climb a short distance to the next junction with a lane on the
left, where the main road turns right. Turn left and climb the steep lane to the
next junction. Go straight up the very steep lane and climb to the junction at
the top (if you don’t fancy this bit the lane that goes right at the bottom is the
one you rejoin at the top). Follow the lane left and continue climbing. Go
straight on at the next junction then, at the following forked junction, take the
less steep lane to the right. Stay on this lane and ignore any junctions to either
side and climb up the left hand side of a small valley. At the end of the valley
the lane kicks up left then follows the line of the mountain through a long open
right hand bend past a light scattering of farm buildings. Near the end of the
tarmac the lane kicks up through a left then right bend to a junction at Slyfean
farm (GR631185).
3. Turn left and climb the wide rocky track to a gate. Go through the gate and
follow the trail as it bears left then right around the contour of the mountainside.
The track eventually comes to a junction with a track down to a farm building on the right.
Go left and follow the main track to a junction with a wide grassy track straight ahead and
a rocky track through a gate in the wall on the right (GR636200).
4. Go through the gate and follow the rocky track as it descends to cross a stream. Go
past the boulders and the wide grassy track on the right and climb to a gate. After the
gate continue straight on for a muddy, rocky singletrack descent. Go through the gate at
the bottom and follow the trail right, keeping to the drystone wall on the right, and climb
across the face of the hill. Eventually the trail kicks up to the left and comes to a gate
Go left and follow the main track to a junction with a wide grassy track straight ahead and
a rocky track through a gate in the wall on the right (GR636200).
4. Go through the gate and follow the rocky track as it descends to cross a stream. Go
past the boulders and the wide grassy track on the right and climb to a gate. After the
gate continue straight on for a muddy, rocky singletrack descent. Go through the gate at
the bottom and follow the trail right, keeping to the drystone wall on the right, and climb
across the face of the hill. Eventually the trail kicks up to the left and comes to a gate
halfway up. After the gate climb to the top and go through
the left hand gate in the wall on the right. The trail then
bears left and drops through a couple of bends to a
junction at a drystone wall, marked by a large stone carved
with ‘4M Tal-y-Bont’ (GR655202).
the left hand gate in the wall on the right. The trail then
bears left and drops through a couple of bends to a
junction at a drystone wall, marked by a large stone carved
with ‘4M Tal-y-Bont’ (GR655202).
5. Turn left for a loose, rocky and steep singletrack climb. After a short distance go
through the small gate and continue the climb on a shallower rutted, grassy track that
keeps to the wall on the left. After the next gate, where the ground kicks up straight
ahead, bear right to follow the wall on the right. At the end of the wall go straight on and
climb a few rocky sections to a drystone wall that appears ahead. Bear right and
continue climbing the trail to keep the wall on the left. After the next gate the trail bears
away form the wall then goes through a section of boulders before coming to gap in a
drystone wall ahead (or gate if it’s been fixed). Go straight on through the wall then just
before the main trail kicks up take a grassy singletrack off to the left. Follow the
through the small gate and continue the climb on a shallower rutted, grassy track that
keeps to the wall on the left. After the next gate, where the ground kicks up straight
ahead, bear right to follow the wall on the right. At the end of the wall go straight on and
climb a few rocky sections to a drystone wall that appears ahead. Bear right and
continue climbing the trail to keep the wall on the left. After the next gate the trail bears
away form the wall then goes through a section of boulders before coming to gap in a
drystone wall ahead (or gate if it’s been fixed). Go straight on through the wall then just
before the main trail kicks up take a grassy singletrack off to the left. Follow the
singletrack to a gate in the wall on the left (GR645220). Once through the gate
turn right for a steep grassy and muddy climb that follows the drystone wall,
now on the right. Fortunately this doesn’t last for long before turning left and
flattening off for a traverse across the top of the bowl in the mountainside. If
the weather is nice there is a fantastic view to be had of the Mawddach
estuary. Near the end of the climb the trail steepens before coming to a gate in
the drystone wall at the top (GR638223).
6. After the gate go straight on, past the cairn on the right, to start the
descent. Initially the track bears right for a fast grassy blast but the lower it
gets the more it becomes loose, rocky and rutted. The trail eventually turns left
turn right for a steep grassy and muddy climb that follows the drystone wall,
now on the right. Fortunately this doesn’t last for long before turning left and
flattening off for a traverse across the top of the bowl in the mountainside. If
the weather is nice there is a fantastic view to be had of the Mawddach
estuary. Near the end of the climb the trail steepens before coming to a gate in
the drystone wall at the top (GR638223).
6. After the gate go straight on, past the cairn on the right, to start the
descent. Initially the track bears right for a fast grassy blast but the lower it
gets the more it becomes loose, rocky and rutted. The trail eventually turns left
through a hairpin and the boulders soon disappear but
they are replaced by some large uneven slabs. Bear right
on these slabs all the way down to Pont Scethin and cross
the stream by the waterfall on the right (GR634235).
they are replaced by some large uneven slabs. Bear right
on these slabs all the way down to Pont Scethin and cross
the stream by the waterfall on the right (GR634235).
7. After crossing
the bridge continue
straight on for a
muddy, rutted and
rocky climb.
Negotiate the small
but rideable bogs
on the way to a
junction with a wide
gravel track
the bridge continue
straight on for a
muddy, rutted and
rocky climb.
Negotiate the small
but rideable bogs
on the way to a
junction with a wide
gravel track
(GR627237). Turn left on the track and descend through a few gates. The
track then goes through a section of bends, with drystone walls on both sides, that ends with a left hand bend leading
onto along straight. Descend through some more gates to a gated junction with a lane (GR602230).
8. After the gate turn left through the other gate to follow the lane on the flat above the woods on the right. The lane
soon descends to a house on the left (GR606226). At this point turn right down the marked BW for a sweet bit of rocky
and rooty singletrack that follows a stream down through the woods. Go through a gate then turn left at the following
junction and drop towards the stream. At the next junction stay left to keep by the stream. The trail then bears away
onto along straight. Descend through some more gates to a gated junction with a lane (GR602230).
8. After the gate turn left through the other gate to follow the lane on the flat above the woods on the right. The lane
soon descends to a house on the left (GR606226). At this point turn right down the marked BW for a sweet bit of rocky
and rooty singletrack that follows a stream down through the woods. Go through a gate then turn left at the following
junction and drop towards the stream. At the next junction stay left to keep by the stream. The trail then bears away
from the stream and comes to a junction just after a bench on the right (GR598223).
Take the wide track on the right and climb a short way to a junction. Follow the track
right between the low stone walls to a junction near the camp site at the edge of the
trees. Turn right and climb gently back into the woods on a wide dirt track. At the next
junction turn left over the stream and go straight on through the gate. This leads on to
another gate at a lane (GR597228).
9. After the gate turn right onto the lane for a gentle climb. At the entrance to the Hall
follow the lane right / left then left / right and climb to the previously visited gated junction
(GR602230). Go through the gate on the right to follow the lane again above the woods.
Descend past the cottage this time and go straight on through a gate and over the stone
bridge. Once over the bridge follow the lane left and climb straight on to the gate at the
top (GR609225).
10. After the gate turn right up the dirt track then go straight on, past the track on the
Take the wide track on the right and climb a short way to a junction. Follow the track
right between the low stone walls to a junction near the camp site at the edge of the
trees. Turn right and climb gently back into the woods on a wide dirt track. At the next
junction turn left over the stream and go straight on through the gate. This leads on to
another gate at a lane (GR597228).
9. After the gate turn right onto the lane for a gentle climb. At the entrance to the Hall
follow the lane right / left then left / right and climb to the previously visited gated junction
(GR602230). Go through the gate on the right to follow the lane again above the woods.
Descend past the cottage this time and go straight on through a gate and over the stone
bridge. Once over the bridge follow the lane left and climb straight on to the gate at the
top (GR609225).
10. After the gate turn right up the dirt track then go straight on, past the track on the
left, to climb a steep grassy and rocky track straight on,
following the wall on the right. Continue straight on when
the incline reduces soon after and climb the grassy track
studded with boulders. The trail then becomes muddy,
rutted and rocky following close to a drystone wall on the
right. After a while it descends over a section of uneven
boulders to a gate at the bottom of the final steep section
of the climb (GR622206). Go through the gate and into a
field. Follow the trail as it heads gradually away from the
drystone wall on the left. Climb through a couple of loose
rocky sections before coming to a gate in a wall on the far
side of the field. After the gate the trail becomes steeper
and covered in loose rocks, following a gully then a
drystone wall on the right. It gets harder as it climbs, with a
few impossible sections, but it's mostly rideable. The trail
following the wall on the right. Continue straight on when
the incline reduces soon after and climb the grassy track
studded with boulders. The trail then becomes muddy,
rutted and rocky following close to a drystone wall on the
right. After a while it descends over a section of uneven
boulders to a gate at the bottom of the final steep section
of the climb (GR622206). Go through the gate and into a
field. Follow the trail as it heads gradually away from the
drystone wall on the left. Climb through a couple of loose
rocky sections before coming to a gate in a wall on the far
side of the field. After the gate the trail becomes steeper
and covered in loose rocks, following a gully then a
drystone wall on the right. It gets harder as it climbs, with a
few impossible sections, but it's mostly rideable. The trail
eventually levels off and comes to a gate in the drystone wall at the top (GR627200).
11. After the gate descend the rocky singletrack ahead that bears to the left, the trail on
the right is a footpath. This trail starts fast and rocky then drops through a couple of
loose hairpins. Go through one gate on the way down and on to where the trail ends at a
junction with a wide grassy track, with a drystone wall straight in front. Turn right and ride
a short way to the previously visited junction (GR636200). Turn left through the gate and
follow the wide, rocky track over the stream to the to a junction just after, marked by some
big boulders (GR238201).
12. Turn right and descend the wide grassy track. This soon becomes rutted and goes
through a couple of bends before turning right and coming to a junction, directly after
going through a gap in the drystone walls at the corner of a field. Don’t go straight on
into the next field but turn left and follow the trail between the drystone walls. The trail
descends then bears left to a junction with a footpath and a gate. Go through the gate
11. After the gate descend the rocky singletrack ahead that bears to the left, the trail on
the right is a footpath. This trail starts fast and rocky then drops through a couple of
loose hairpins. Go through one gate on the way down and on to where the trail ends at a
junction with a wide grassy track, with a drystone wall straight in front. Turn right and ride
a short way to the previously visited junction (GR636200). Turn left through the gate and
follow the wide, rocky track over the stream to the to a junction just after, marked by some
big boulders (GR238201).
12. Turn right and descend the wide grassy track. This soon becomes rutted and goes
through a couple of bends before turning right and coming to a junction, directly after
going through a gap in the drystone walls at the corner of a field. Don’t go straight on
into the next field but turn left and follow the trail between the drystone walls. The trail
descends then bears left to a junction with a footpath and a gate. Go through the gate
and descend down the right hand edge of the woods. Where the track comes to a lane go straight on and continue
descending. Follow the lane straight down before going through a couple of tight bends at some the houses. Just after
the houses is a junction with a lane on the left (GR642187).
descending. Follow the lane straight down before going through a couple of tight bends at some the houses. Just after
the houses is a junction with a lane on the left (GR642187).
leading into the trees. Go through the gate for a fantastic
descent through the woods. Continue straight ahead on
the trail and get ready for some rocky riding just after the
trail goes up and over a small rise. Go through the gate at
the end of the trail and onto the main road, the A496
descent through the woods. Continue straight ahead on
the trail and get ready for some rocky riding just after the
trail goes up and over a small rise. Go through the gate at
the end of the trail and onto the main road, the A496
(GR660186).
15. Turn left and follow the main road for a while
to the next turning on the right, signed to the Toll
Bridge (GR690191). Directly after crossing the
bridge turn left through the car park and follow
the Mawddach Trail all the way back to the car
park at the far end to finish the ride.
It had been raining for three days before riding
15. Turn left and follow the main road for a while
to the next turning on the right, signed to the Toll
Bridge (GR690191). Directly after crossing the
bridge turn left through the car park and follow
the Mawddach Trail all the way back to the car
park at the far end to finish the ride.
It had been raining for three days before riding
very draggy it wasn't boggy, even boggy bit after Pont Scethin wasn’t bad. Be careful on the descent to Pont Scethin in
the wet, it is sketchy and very slippery. Me and Paul are quite fit and this ride took us 5hrs, although there was some
stopping for photos. You will need to take £1 or so for the Barmouth Bridge toll but the second Toll Bridge is free for
bikes.
All of this route can be plotted on OS Landranger 124.
the wet, it is sketchy and very slippery. Me and Paul are quite fit and this ride took us 5hrs, although there was some
stopping for photos. You will need to take £1 or so for the Barmouth Bridge toll but the second Toll Bridge is free for
bikes.
All of this route can be plotted on OS Landranger 124.
this route and it was raining on and off the whole day we rode. Although it was
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