Welsh Coast and Mountains

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This is a really challenging route designed to be completed in one day. It could, however, be split into two or even three days. It includes the climb up Fford Pen Llech, reputedly the steepest climb in the world.

Park (or take the train) to Chirk station. Parking is free. From here take the train to Machynlleth (changing at Shrewsbury), where the route begins.

The train to Machynlleth continues around the coast and so the ride can be shortened by getting off at a later stop.

From Machynlleth follow the Dovey valley and then the coast along the A493 to Fairborne. Here be careful with your navigation as you want to join the Mawddach Trail, a gravel track that is nevertheless passable on a road bike.

The Trail follows the pretty River Mawddach to Penmainpool where the River is crossed via a wooden toll bridge. From here join the A496 (careful, it can be busy) to Barmouth and then along the coast to the outskirts of Harlech.

Just outside Harlech a left fork takes you down to the base of the castle mount. Then, across the railway the route goes up Fford Pen Llech (ignoring the no entry sign), a road with a 40% gradient. If you don't fancy this then don't take the left fork, but continue on past the castle on its East side.

Harlech is one of my favourite places and a great place for lunch  - try Llew Glas Cafe.

Leave Harlech on the B4573, which now travels inland and joins the A496 to Llan Ffestiniog, where the climbing really starts. The B4391 out of Lan Ffestiniog takes you through beautiful Snowdonia and then drops down to Bala. A great opportunity for another meal.

Leave Bala on the B4391, then take a left on the B4402 along the River Dee. This then joins the B4401 to Llandrillo. Cross the R. Dee at Corwen and then join B5437 to Llangollen. Through Llangollen cross the R. Dee again at Trevor from where it is a short trip back to Chirk and the station.