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Hi all - excited to be camping at the foot of Cadair Idris in a couple of weeks. Planning to ride up and down, and I think I'm right that it's an out and back route, but was wondering if there are any good route extensions to make it more epic? Any suggestions most welcome!
On which side of Cader Idris are you camping? There are lots of options thereabouts
On the Eastern side, just off the A487 at Cwmrhwyddfor… I was hoping there'd be lots of options!
I've stayed near there a few times. From that campsite it's a run down to Abergnolwyn to start the route up to the top. I'm not really aware of much else around that way which you could tag onto it but the campsite is close to ClimachX trail.
Ok, thanks @painey - if not maybe we have to do 2 rides. Guess I’m a bit surprised it can’t be extended! I also am vaguely aware of good rides from Barmouth, which isn’t far away?
Get a copy of this:
There’s a route in it called Cadair Foothills, but no idea of Whether it can be linked up with an actual ascent/descent of Cadair.
You could always cross the river and do Pont Scethin, that’d be a big day out.
Not sure if the footbridge to Barmouth is open at the moment.
The footbridge to Barmouth was open the other week when I was there.
Nice loop out from Dolgellau-over the hils and back along the river.You may be able to link into it from near the start/end of the Pony Path up Idris but it would be a big old ride.
This is what I know of around the Cadair Idris:
Ooh, thank you guys, some good thoughts there! I'm getting excited!
Was going to suggest Pont Scethin, here:
@malvernrider that looks good, cheers... Maybe I need more than a weekend...
Definitely. There’s also the Rhinogydd, Coed y Brenin etc
Back in the local/Barmouth area, if you descend Cadair Idris back down through to Castell y Bere/Dyseni Valley, you can head up from Llanegryn to Llwyngwril and join the Wales Coast Path section there
It’s a prehistoric track with some standing stones, some forest, then onwards to either Cregennan Lakes (sunrise here is something to witness) and down through Arthog to the Mawddach Trail, or peel off earlier down to the ‘Blue Lake‘ quarry (lake was closed off recently because of idiots, but cheeky trials opps available allegedly + incredible view of the peninsula).
Either way will get you back down to Barmouth Bridge and the Mawddach Trail, itself one of the most scenic of (short) gravel sprints, with mountains/cake/coffee/beer at one end and sea/pizza/fish/chips at the other*. Am feeling envious, but due a visit there soon.
*Handy local food thread btw:
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/food-in-dolgellau-barmouth-area/
Enjoy stay safe
OP, forgot to say, Google Earth app has more than few bits and pieces of gravel sections covered. In fact the whole (bike) climb to the summit (Castell y Bere to Pen Y Gadair) is now on Street View.
There’s a surfaced/gravel route (on the Mawddach Big 8) that loops,around. Cadair Idris so could be an ideal access the Dyfi Forest/ClimachX MTB trails (via Aberllefenni). A hell of a slog up from Dolgellau though.
http://www.mawddachestuary.co.uk/cycling/mawddach-big-8.html
Luckily it crosses the A487 just up the hill from your campsite (past the ‘Mach loop‘ car park) There’s a gate by Stabal Holiday Cottage with cycle route signpost. (Marked by red circle)
^ Don’t know if there’s a ‘back way’ in to ClimachX trails East of Aberllefenni? If so that would also cut out/avoid having to cycle a section of the the A487 past Corris
Anyone?
@malvern rider really appreciate your efforts - We should be able to put together something excellent - if you could sort the weather too? 🙂
Yes. There should be.
Check out the fireroads heading up the hill towards Machynlleth from Abergynolwyn. You should be able to get to the dyfi forest.
There is also supposed to be some locally built mtb trails above Abergynolwyn too. I was told about them but didn't have the time to explore properly.
The guy who runs Wheelism.co.uk lives in Abergynolwyn and that's who told me so maybe try dropping him a message.
Thnks Jekkyl, and...Abergynolwyn-Mach has just sown the seed of a dastardly plan for a mammoth ‘Gravel Idris’ route. Will have to give it some thought, while working on the weather 😉
No worries bigdaddy, keep up the ideas/feedback, I’ve been trying tie a lot of short rides/sights together in this area for years. I’ll be out that way next week possibly, if so will take the gravelbeast and camera.
BTW the Machloop Car Park to Climachx car park (MB-8 section) is only about 13km one way. If of a nervous disposition beware very-low-flying jet aircraft on clear days.
