Lôn Las Ogwen from Bangor to Llyn Ogwen
Lôn Las Ogwen is a superb ride offering excellent mountain views as you climb south from the coast at Bangor (Porth Penryn) via a railway path through mature broadleaf woodland alongside the River Cegin to the village of Tregarth. The ride continues on up through the spoils of the slate quarry on a well-designed path with ever better views of the mountains of Snowdonia ahead. The path joins a minor road that runs parallel with the busy A5 and therefore carries very little traffic. A final climb takes you to the shores of Llyn Ogwen where there is a cafe and normally several groups of outdoor enthusiasts either walking, climbing or cycling. The mountains rise to over 3000ft on either side of the road.
The Penrhyn quarries that produced the slate in Bethesda were started in 1770 by Richard Pennant, the 1st Baron Penrhyn, and was the biggest opencast system in the world, forming a vast amphitheatre one mile long and 1200ft deep. The quarry works railway that the trail follows was constructed between 1870 and 1879. Before this the slate from Bethesda was transported by pack horse or mules and carts and by a tramroad constructed in 1801. The line was closed in 1962. With the fortune they made from the slate trade they had the mock-Gothic Penrhyn Castle built which now houses a doll museum, a collection of industrial locomotives and a variety of stuffed animals.
NB. There is a climb of almost 1000ft from Bangor to Llyn Ogwen so it will be considerably slower on the way up than on the way back down. For a more gentle ride, go only as far as Tregarth, which involves a climb of less than 300ft.
Natural attractions:
-
Views of Snowdonia
-
Llyn Ogwen
Visitor attractions:
-
Porth Penrhyn
Route submitted by: Sustrans
Tags
Route map
View Larger Map
Comments (0)
Key route details
- Region/Area:
North West Wales
- Distance:
11 miles
- Time needed:
2 hours
- Classification:
Hard
- Traffic:
Traffic-free to Tregarth (8 miles) then mix of traffic-free and quiet lanes
- Surface:
Mixed
- NCN Route:
National Route 85
- Start:
Porth Penrhyn, northeast of Bangor
- Finish:
Ogwen Cottage, Llyn Ogwen
- Cycle hire:
None in Bangor, nearest are in Caernarfon
- Access:
Train station at Bangor
- Maps and guides:
-
Lôn Las Cymru North Map NN8B £6.99
Lôn Las Cymru Guidebook – £6.99
Conwy County Borough Leaflet – Free PDF - Links with:
The nearest traffic-free trails start in Llangefni (Anglesey) or from Caernarfon
Choose another route
