Cestyll Cymru3

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Llandudno, Wales, GB

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Route Overview

Rhos-On-Sea Cycle Club - rhoscycling.com

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131 mi.

7,505 ft.

The third edition of the castles ride. Visit 7 castles on this trip through Wales climbing 2000 metres.

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Route Details

This route visits 7 castles of Wales.
From the seaside town of Rhos-On-Sea along the coast and into the Victorian  promenade town of llandudno.  Devised and constructed by Lord Mostyn the predominate land owner.  The hotel frontages have restrictions down to the colour of paint to keep in line with the picturisque scene with the Pier and Great Orme behind.

The ride takes on the Great Orme a dramatic rock named from  the Viking word for Dragons head as it shape resembles the same.
The Orme presents a challenging climb around the East face and sweeping descent down the other side on the one way system.

From this point one of the ring of castles constructed by Edward VII comes into view, that of @poi[Conwy](839bdf7e6c657723ca340000).  Past the 800year old fortruss we soon discover the cycle path taking the lower route just above the beach.  The beach route was used for transporting goods only when the weather was kind but many a trip was lost or held up due to the ferocious tidal system.

The ride continues along the coast where the first rest is at the castle town of Beamaris. Note the coloured painted houses and the marina with its lift rods for its floating decking.  Trips to puffin Island go from here.

The next stage carries on using cycle tracks to reach @poi[Caernarfon Castle](3898575) the strongest of King Edwards fortresses, as due to its construction it can be defended by only 17 men.  The current Prince of Wales was inaugurated within the castle walls.  The route diverts off  the cycle track to avoid the congested marina and keeps left at the Castle Walls to rejoin the cycle path towards Criccieth.

The next point of interest is @poi[Lloyd Georges home](3917719) as the first Welsh born English Prime Minister who is attributed for introducing the NHS(National Health Service) to the United Kingdom.

Criccieth castle was built by llywelyn the Great of the county of Gwynedd and is on a hilltop whereas the English invaders placed their castles with sea routes for supplies from English ships.

The new bridge @poi[Pont Brewit](3862270) has recently replaced an old decaying rail bridge to quicken the trip to Harlech castle.
Taking the low road the turn upwards past the castle is the steepest road in the UK - 40%.

Our next stop at the @poi[Lion Hotel in Harlech](3940518).

Ride back along the elevated road towards the @poi[Blaenai Festiniog town](3932202) and see the masses of slate on the hillsides making Blaenai one of the darkest and also wettest places.

Another stop here for refreshments before tackling the @slice[Crimea pass(385m)](d,145156.47,154498.55), built in 1854 the time of the Crimea war and some of the walls were built by Russian prisoners of war. The Dolwydelan castle can be seen on the hillside.

Over the pass and to the tourist town of Betws-Y-Coed and through the valley lanes to pass Gwydir castle. After here look for the newly built surf centre at Dolgarog.

We move across to the A470 to ride alongside the river Conwy and back to Rhos-On-Sea

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Cestyll Cymru3

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