Cycling From Glan Conwy to Betws-y-Coed

Cycling the Glan Conwy route to Betws-y-Coed is truly a pleasant experience, taking you on scenic routes through picturesque Welsh Villages to the lush green Snowdonia National Park. This 15 mile journey is truly rewarding, with views and scenery that makes the experience so worthwhile - and you can even make the journey home by train at Betws-y-Coed.

Starting in the historic town of Conwy; here you will be able to visit the castle which gives the town its medieval atmosphere. Here you will also be able to visit the smallest house in Britain which is set on the quayside, right next to the castle. The little red house is a must-visit attraction in the area, although it won't take you very long, given that the house measures just 10 feet by 6 feet. Inside you can hear a short recording of its history while being able to peep upstairs where there is only room for a small bed and a bedside cabinet. Conwy is actually a great place to begin the journey where you can enjoy some scenery and have a great breakfast in one of the local cafes to set you up for the day.

From your starting point at the harbour side which lies opposite the castle, you must first take the quayside route taking you towards the castle and follow this route of the slope which takes you to the A547 main road in front of the castle. Turning right along this road, following the front of the castle you must then take the Llanrwst Road route at the roundabout. This route, also known as the B5106, will take you out of Conwy along a rural road for around ten miles. On the way out of Conwy you will face a few steep hills, but they won't last too long, just enough to get your heart racing and warmed up for the rest of your journey. Along this route there are some picture perfect views to be seen over the River Conwy before passing through a number of villages - so be sure to bring your camera. If you're feeling thirsty by now, these little villages provide a great opportunity to stop and have couple of refreshments; otherwise you can wait for a treat at Llanrwst. Almost a mile after passing the village of Trefriw, turn right (B5106) which will take you up a slope towards Bews-y-Coed. Just over the estuary, looking in the distance you should now be able to see the town of Llanrwst.

Following the B5106 route which will take you around the valley to the market town, here you can visit a number of shops in this touristy area but a must is the Ty Hwnt i'r Bont just over Pont Fawr (a 16th century narrow stone bridge). Once a courthouse, Hwnt i'r Bont's, award winning tearooms are now a wonderful way to spend an afternoon with delicious lunches and afternoon teas available. The town square (Ancaster Square) also offers a variety of shops, cafes, and al-fresco refreshments.

Continue back on the B5106 which will take you to the end of your ride, only around 4 miles away at Betws-y-Coed. It is in fact the principal village of the Snowdonia National Park and is widely recognised as the outdoor capital of North Wales. Here, you'll find nothing but outstanding scenery and forestry backdrops set around this beautiful village that enfolds cottage shops set right next to riverbanks and small waterfalls. The beauty of the whole journey builds up to this picturesque gateway to Snowdonia National Park which covers more than 800 square miles. Here there is no compromise when it comes to landscape as you will find hidden valleys, still glacial lakes, cascading rivers, and deep forests all in one place. Of course, if this journey has worn you out a little and the scenery has taken your breath away don't forget Betws also has a train station, located conveniently in the village centre. So there's really no excuse not to enjoy what Betws-y-Coed has to offer and finish your day off in a way that you'll always remember.

Gwion Llwyd is a Design Engineer and part time farmer, living at his family farm in the mountains above Harlech.

Gwion also owns and manages self-catering accommodation on his land, as well as a website highlighting other quality self-catering accommodation in Snowdonia. The site has a wealth of useful information about the region, including activities, attractions, history and culture.

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