North Wales Coastal Route Pensarn to Rhos-on-Sea

Transcription

1 11 5 North Wales Coastal Route Pensarn to Rhos-on-Sea Category Distance Gradient Surface / terrain Seaside promenade, cycle path 9 miles Easy Tarmac Rail stations Rhyl, Abergele and Pensarn, Colwyn Bay Bike hire West End Cycles, Colwyn Bay Tourist information Colwyn Bay TIC Maps Conwy Cycle Routes - Sustrans Enjoy the sea air and views along Colwyn Bay on this fantastic coastal route across the wide sea promenade that stretches from Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay to Pensarn. The ride begins at Pensarn Beach, and passes the curious concrete anchors that have been dumped in great heaps along the coast to prevent erosion from the sea, before passing along the bustling seafront of Colwyn Bay. Two short climbs take you up and over the jetties carrying stone from the quarries out to sea. Up in the wooded hills between Llanddulas and Abergele you will catch a glimpse of Gwrych Castle, hailed as one of Britain s most haunted sites. If you want to extend the ride then head eastwards from Pensarn for another 5 miles past Towyn and Kinmel Bay to the seaside resort of Rhyl.

2 12 84 Lôn Clwyd - Rhyl Rhyl to St Asaph Category Seaside promenade, riverside cycle path Distance 7 miles Gradient Easy Surface / terrain Tarmac Rail stations Rhyl Parking Rhyl Seafront Bike hire None Tourist information Rhyl TIC Offa s Dyke Visitor Centre Maps Denbighshire Cycle Routes - Sustrans This scenic route is perfect for cyclists of all ages and abilities, and is a great way to explore the popular holiday resort of Rhyl and the beautiful cathedral city of St Asaph. Starting at the Children s Village located on Rhyl s promenade, the route heads west along route 5 before heading south towards the River Clwyd, a haven for wildlife and birdlife. Take in the heather clad hills and limestone cliffs with views over to the Clwydian Range AONB, one of only 8 protected landscapes in Wales. Join the riverside route along the banks of the River Elwy and continue to St Asaph. Cross the river into the park for a well earned rest, or continue up the hill to the local shops, cafes and the smallest ancient cathedral in Great Britain.

3 13 5 North Wales Coastal Route Prestatyn to Talacre Category Distance Gradient Surface / terrain Rail stations Parking Bike hire Seaside promenade, cycle path 5 miles Easy Tarmac Prestatyn Prestatyn seafront None Tourist information Prestatyn TIC Maps Denbighshire Cycle Routes - Sustrans Starting at the former Offa s Dyke centre on National Route 5 the ride takes you east to the end of the promenade with views north across Liverpool Bay towards the clusters of offshore wind turbines. Head inland for a short section with the northern tip of the Clwydian Ranger ANOB above you and continue through the local golf club. Route 5 leaves this path and crosses over the railway, but you should continue east through the caravan park on route to Talacre. You pass through the Gronant Dunes Local Nature Reserve, which is well worth a walk if you have the time, before reaching the popular beach area at Talacre. Park the bike up in the village and walk onto the beach to see the famous local landmark that is the red tipped lighthouse, before heading back to the village for that well earned ice cream!

4 14 5 Connah s Quay Greenway Connah s Quay to Chester Category Distance Gradient Surface / terrain Rail stations Railway path 8 miles Easy Tarmac Hawarden Bridge, Shotton, Chester Parking Dock Road, Connah s Quay, Canal Basin, Chester Bike hire Chester Cycle Hire Tourist information Chester TIC Mold TIC Maps East Flintshire Cycle Route - Sustrans Following the former Mickle Trafford to Dee Marsh railway line, this route takes you from Connah s Quay into the centre of the historic town of Chester. Completely flat and traffic-free, the route has railway stations at either end providing the option to cycle/walk one way and return by train. After crossing the River Dee at Hawarden Bridge, the route passes through farmland with the Clwydian hills as a backdrop before crossing the English/Welsh border and heading into the pretty town of Chester. As it approaches Chester, the railway path intersects with the towpath of the Shropshire Union canal, providing an excellent link to the River Dee where you can ride around Chester racecourse into the city. Create a circular ride by following the link alongside the canal and turning right when you reach the river. Follow the river to Hawarden Bridge where you will pick up NCR 5.

5 15 Alyn Waters Country Park Wrexham Category Distance Gradient Surface / terrain Rail stations Parking Cycle path 2 miles Easy Tarmac Wrexham Alyn Waters Country Park Bike hire Pedal Power Tourist information Wrexham TIC Maps None Running from the visitor centre, just outside Wrexham near the village of Gwersyllt, this 2 mile circuit also includes a wonderful Sculpture Trail. The route runs through woodlands and grassland and offers safe cycling for families, with mostly gentle slopes and a chance to take a rest alongside the River Alyn. It also provides great access for wheelchair users. The cycleway leads, via short stretch of country lane, to an excellent adventure playground and alternative car park and start point in Llay where the route can be extended.

6 Other traffic free routes to explore Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron 2 miles Cors Caron Nature Reserve near Tregaron to Ystradmeurig 3 miles - Route 82 Trawsfynydd to Gellilydan 4 miles - Route 82 Traffic free cycling in the country, forest and coastal parks Nant-yr-Arian Aberystwyth Coed y Brenin Trawsfynydd (cycle hire available) - Route 82 Gwdyr Forest Betws-y-Coed Llyn Brenig and Alwen Trails Cerrigydrudion Coed Llandegla Wrexham (cycle hire available) Erddig Country Estate / Park Wrexham (cycle hire available)

7 Challenging day rides A mix of traffic free and minor roads Rheidol Trail, Aberyswyth to Devils Bridge See Rheidol Cycle Trail leaflet. Information Aberystwyth TIC Lôn Las Cymru, Machynlleth to Barmouth Take in the Centre for Alternative Technology and Corris then take the train on the return journey. See Lôn Las Cymru (north) map Lôn Las Cymru, Dolgellau to Porthmadog Take in the beautiful Coed y Brenin Forest Park and Trawsfyndd Lake then take the train on the return journey. See Lôn Las Cymru (north) map Lôn Eifion and Lôn Las Menai, Bryncir to Y Felinheli See Gwynedd Recreational Routes leaflet and Lôn Las Cymru North map. Information Bangor TIC Lôn Las Ogwen, Bangor to Llyn Ogwen See Gwynedd Recreational Routes leaflet and Lôn Las Cymru North map. Information Bangor TIC Lôn Las Cefni, Menai Bridge to Llangefni Follow NCR 8 from Menai Bridge into the wonderful Anglesey countryside and pick up Lôn Las Cefni at Pont Marquis. Information Llanfair PG TIC North Wales Coastal Route Llandudno to Prestatyn Take in the magnificant views along the coast and then take the train on the return journey. Information Conwy & Denbighshire Cycle Routes leaflets (Sustrans)

8 Cycle maps National Cycle Network maps areavailable from Sustrans Celtic Trail West Fishguard to Swansea Celtic Trail East Swansea to Chepstow Lôn Las Cymru North Holyhead to Builth Wells Lôn Las Cymru South Builth Wells to Cardiff/Chepstow Lôn Cambria /Lôn Teifi Fishguard/Aberystwyth/Shrewsbury Radnor Ring Map Circular route from Llandrindod Wells Useful links For more information on exploring the very best of the National Cycle Network in Wales, go to Sustrans Routes2Ride website: To find safe walking and cycling routes go to Sustrans on-line mapping and enter a postcode, town, region or route: For hints tips and advice on building walking and cycling into your daily routine sign up to Active Commuter: Why not use the train to carry you and your bike further afield or to take you home after a cycle? Bicycles can be carried on most trains, but it is advisable to check in advance and book a space. For information on public transport go to:

9 Traffic Free Routes A B C D E F G H I J K L M N Elan Valley Trail Rhayader Ystwyth Trail Aberystwyth Newtown Riverside Path Newtown Mawddach Trail - Barmouth Lôn Eifion Caernarfon Lôn Las Menai Caernarfon Lôn Las Cefni Anglesey Lôn Las Ogwen Bangor Conwy Estuary Llandudno North Wales Coastal Route Lôn Clwyd - Rhyl North Wales Coastal Route Connah s Quay Greenway Alyn Waters Country Park p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p9 p10 p11 p12 p13 p14 p15 Other traffic free routes to explore A B C Aberaeron to Llanerchaeron Cors Caron Nature Reserve Trawsfynydd to Gllilydan Traffic free cycling in the country, forest and Coastal parks A B C D E F Nant-yr-Arian Coed y Brenin Gwdyr Forest Llyn Brenig and Alwen Trails Coed Llandegla Erddig Country Estate / Park Photo Owen Mart

10 0 Crown Copyright Pan fyddwch ar y Rhwyd waith Beicio Cenedlaethol fe welwch yr arwyddion coch ar gyfer llwbr cened hyn, laethol, glas ar gyfer llwybr rhanbarthol. When you are on the Nation al Cycle Network you will see these signs, red for national route, blue for regional route Rhan ar Ffordd On road section Rhan heb Draffig Traffic-free sections Llwybrau Rhanb Dethol Selected regionalarthol routes Ffin Border Trefi â Gorsafoedd fordd Towns with railway Rheilf stations Rhifau Llwybrau Cened laethol National Cycle Netwo rk route number Rhifau Llwybrau Rhanb arthol Regional route numb er ography: Crown Copyright (2010) Visit Wales: Front page, p1, 2, 3, 5, 6a, 11, 12, 13, 14; n Richards: inside cover; MA Creative/Powys CC: p4; Mark Balaam/GCC: p7; tin Lyons/CBC: p10; Flintshire CC: p14; Sustrans staff: p6b, 8, 9, 13

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12 Llwybrau Di-draffig A B C D E F G H I J K L M N Llwybr Cwm Elan Rhaeadr Gwy Llwybr Ystwyth Aberystwyth Llwybr Glan yr Afon y Drenewydd Y Drenewydd Llwybr Mawddach - Y Bermo Lôn Eifion Caernarfon Lôn Las Menai Caernarfon Lôn Las Cefni Ynys Môn Lôn Las Ogwen Bangor Moryd Conwy Llandudno Llwybr Arfordirol Gogledd Cymru Lôn Clwyd - Y Rhyl Llwybr Arfordirol Gogledd Cymru Lôn Las Cei Connah Parc Gwledig Dyfroedd Alun Llwybrau di-draffig eraill i w harchwilio A B C Aberaeron i Lanerchaeron Gwarchodfa Natur Cors Caron Trawsfynydd i Gellilydan Beicio di-draffig yn y wlad, fforest a pharciau gwledig A B C D E F Nant-yr-Arian Coed y Brenin Fforest Gwydir Llwybrau Llyn Brennig ac Alwen Coed Llandegla Parc / Ystâd Wledig Erddig p2 p3 p4 p5 p6 p7 p8 p9 p10 p11 p12 p13 p14 p15