Wales North to South

[DinoD]

Good morning folks,
I’m trying again this year to plan a ride from Chester along the top of Wales then dropping down and using the NCN 8 mostly, however I don’t want to miss out on great locations and sites along the way. Has anyone got any information that I could include in my trip.

[PH]

Good morning folks,
I’m trying again this year to plan a ride from Chester along the top of Wales then dropping down and using the NCN 8 mostly, however I don’t want to miss out on great locations and sites along the way. Has anyone got any information that I could include in my trip.

NCN 8, Lon Las Cymru, is a fantastic route, my favorite amongst the Sustrans routes I've ridden, tough in places and remote in others, be prepared. Plenty of threads on it already if you do a search.
I'd offer two preferences:
This route around Harlech
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/699875
And I prefer the Chepstow finish to the Cardiff one, plus you get to go over Gospel Pass
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/699877

Other than that. I don't think I'd deviate much, some of the towns you pass through are worth a wander around, rather than pressing through, if you have the time.
The North Wales coast route is OK, but it's nothing like as spectacular as the LLC, if you don't have limitless time, I'd be tempted to take the train to Holyhead and savour the LLC.

[Sweep]

Thanks for the recommendation PH. Would you recommend doing it N to S or S to N finishing in Holyhead?

[rotavator]

I would recommend doing the Gospel Pass south to north because it is easier. There are some great roads for cycling around Llyn Efyrnwy, Bala, Pentrefoelas if you want to vere off LLC. The best bit of the north coast for scenery is the Great Orme. If you are short of time you could miss out Anglesey from the LLC because it is a bit flat and monotonous compared with the rest.

[DinoD]

Good morning folks,
I’m trying again this year to plan a ride from Chester along the top of Wales then dropping down and using the NCN 8 mostly, however I don’t want to miss out on great locations and sites along the way. Has anyone got any information that I could include in my trip.

NCN 8, Lon Las Cymru, is a fantastic route, my favorite amongst the Sustrans routes I've ridden, tough in places and remote in others, be prepared. Plenty of threads on it already if you do a search.
I'd offer two preferences:
This route around Harlech
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/699875
And I prefer the Chepstow finish to the Cardiff one, plus you get to go over Gospel Pass
https://cycle.travel/map/journey/699877

Other than that. I don't think I'd deviate much, some of the towns you pass through are worth a wander around, rather than pressing through, if you have the time.
The North Wales coast route is OK, but it's nothing like as spectacular as the LLC, if you don't have limitless time, I'd be tempted to take the train to Holyhead and savour the LLC.

Thanks for time and all the information. I’m retired although an oldie of 72 so time is not an issue. I learnt why it’s called a push bike I tend to do that a lot these days.

[PH]

Thanks for the recommendation PH. Would you recommend doing it N to S or S to N finishing in Holyhead?

I've done it twice, both times from Holyhead, finishing in Cardiff and Chepstow. I've done that for logistics, I can't think of a reason not to ride from the South, but haven't done so. Either way Chepstow <> Bristol is an easy ride for plenty of train choice.
I've been over Gospel Pass a few times on different rides, I'd agree with rotavator that it's easier from the South, but I prefer it from the North, IMO it's a more scenic climb and the descent goes on for miles on roads where you can let it go a bit. It's a fantastic view if you're lucky with the weather, but it is Wales...

[Sweep]

Thanks for the recommendation PH. Would you recommend doing it N to S or S to N finishing in Holyhead?

I've done it twice, both times from Holyhead, finishing in Cardiff and Chepstow. I've done that for logistics, I can't think of a reason not to ride from the South, but haven't done so. Either way Chepstow <> Bristol is an easy ride for plenty of train choice.
I've been over Gospel Pass a few times on different rides, I'd agree with rotavator that it's easier from the South, but I prefer it from the North, IMO it's a more scenic climb and the descent goes on for miles on roads where you can let it go a bit. It's a fantastic view if you're lucky with the weather, but it is Wales...

Thanks for reply and info PH.

[axel_knutt]

The advantage of travelling south to north is that you have the prevailing weather behind you instead of in your face.

[Sweep]

The advantage of travelling south to north is that you have the prevailing weather behind you instead of in your face.

yes, apart from another reason for liking to finish at Holyhead, I had rather thought of that

Winds in UK generally from the south west I gather.

[pwa]

Thanks for the recommendation PH. Would you recommend doing it N to S or S to N finishing in Holyhead?

I've done it twice, both times from Holyhead, finishing in Cardiff and Chepstow. I've done that for logistics, I can't think of a reason not to ride from the South, but haven't done so. Either way Chepstow <> Bristol is an easy ride for plenty of train choice.
I've been over Gospel Pass a few times on different rides, I'd agree with rotavator that it's easier from the South, but I prefer it from the North, IMO it's a more scenic climb and the descent goes on for miles on roads where you can let it go a bit. It's a fantastic view if you're lucky with the weather, but it is Wales...

I too prefer the Gospel Pass from the north. Take the undulating approach very easily. There are only a couple of steep bits, notably just after a cattle grid, and you can walk those bits. I went over in the snow once, and walked a mile or more of it. But try to avoid peak traffic times on it. Before 9 am is a good time. After that on summer days it attracts some sightseeing traffic.

[PH]

The advantage of travelling south to north is that you have the prevailing weather behind you instead of in your face.

yes, apart from another reason for liking to finish at Holyhead, I had rather thought of that

Winds in UK generally from the south west I gather.

It's not so simple. This is worth a read:
https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/d ... 02/wea.301

[Pendodave]

There's a recent gcn video where 2 of them do Chepstow to Bangor, generally along LLC, but combining it with a few other routes as it suits.
The route is on kermoot under Conors user id: https://www.komoot.com/tour/2011922437

The weather on the 2nd day was shocking. I would never entertain the idea of leaving for a short tour if the weather forecast was anything like that.

Looks like a great trip, I might have a pop at it, as both ends are easily accessible by train from London.

[Andrewlee1]

I've done north to south, south to north, and Chepstow and Cardiff variations of LLC. Got to say that South to north and starting in Cardiff would be my favorite. I've camped and stayed hostels / BnB. Camping was cheap and easy to schedule in. People very helpful when you turn up on a bike! Going North the only grunty climb is Over to Dolgellau. As you say, it's called a push bike for a reason. The sections north of Barmouth are a bit disjointed but on most days the main road is a nice enough route especially when you run up to Harlech and the castle. Lots of highlights and places to enjoy, usually takes me five days, but my advice would be to take your time. Doing it again I'd do south to north, I'd camp and I'd take at least five days now I don't have work to get back to. The main route is one of the best!

[mattheus]

I don't know if there are good reasons for the last leg that LLC takes to Caernarfon, but I'd thoroughly recommend going
futher East; Bedgellert-Snowdon Ranger (alongside the steam railway line. and Snowdon!)
Great views, not busy even on a summer Saturday, and a very gentle climb.

[bohrsatom]

Another vote from me for the LLC. I rode it south to north from Cardiff and enjoyed leaving the city behind, heading through the valleys then into some glorious remote countryside. Train times meant I had to skip most of Anglesey but based on what I did see I don't think I missed much.

This was taken on the way into Rhayader