Road · United Kingdom
Llwybr Llyn Traws (Trawsfynydd Lake Cycle Route)
A hilly 14 km mixed-surface cycling loop from Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd, with 130 m of climbing. Mixed surface: 57% is mapped as paved and 42% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 13.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 130 m
- Riding time
- 59 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Trawsfynydd
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 130 m
- 14 km
Route description
- Trawsfynydd
- Trawsfynydd
The Llwybr Llyn Traws cycle route starts and finishes in Trawsfynydd, making a loop. The route consists of 57% paved surfaces and 42% gravel or unpaved sections. It uses a mix of quiet streets, cycle paths, minor roads, paths, and a short track section. Around 28% is on quiet streets, 27% on cycle paths, and 22% on minor roads. There is a significant climb starting at 6.8 km, lasting 1.6 km with 85 m gain at an average gradient of 5.3% reaching a high point of 285 m at 8.4 km. The route descends over 1.6 km beginning at 0.4 km dropping 29 m, with a generally flat profile over 53% of the distance.
Facilities along the route include a café (Canolfan Prysor Centre) at 4.1 km slightly off-route, and minimal food stops otherwise, with the longest stretch without café, shop, or water lasting 9.4 km from 4.1 km to 13.5 km. Shops, a petrol station, and a repair stand are available in Trawsfynydd at the start and finish. Toilets are very near the start at 0.1 km. Notable landmarks include Craig Gyfynys peak at 5.6 km just off-route and Craig Y Gwynt peak near the high point at 8.4 km.
About 20% of the route involves climbing, with the steepest 500 m section at the start having a gradient of 15.7%. The longest descent is 1.6 km. The route is suitable for mixed surface cycling with varied riding conditions and moderate climbing.
Highlights
- Climb of 1.6 km at 5.3% average gradient
- Craig Gyfynys peak near 5.6 km
- Craig Y Gwynt peak near 8.4 km
- Longest descent of 1.6 km from 0.4 km
Along the route
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 6.8 km | 1.6 km · 85 m · 5.3 % · max 9.2 % | 285 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 28% quiet street · 27% cycle path · 22% minor road · 17% path · 6% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 3.7 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 57% is mapped as paved and 42% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 20% climbing · 26% descending · 53% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.8 km over 5% · 0.5 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 15.7% at 0 km
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 2 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 1 petrol station, 1 public toilet and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 0.1 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 4.1 kmCanolfan Prysor Centre · café · 40 m off route
- 13.5 kmPetrol station · on the route
- 13.6 kmPremier · convenience store · on the route
Worth a stop
- 5.6 km — Craig Gyfynys (peak, 270 m)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Cross Foxes (90 m)
- Shops
- Premier (70 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 9.4 km from 4.1 to 13.5 km
- 42% of the route is gravel or unpaved
- Steepest 500 m at 15.7% gradient at start
