Home » Routes » Europe » Wales » Snowdonia National Park » Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia » Lon Eifion Cycletrack

Lon Eifion Cycletrack

By Dave Roberts   

on May 29, 2011    5/5 (2)

Posted as a walk in – Europe, Low Level and Easier Walks in Snowdonia, Snowdonia National Park, Wales

Lon Eifion Cycletrack

Route Essentials

Route Summary

The Lon Eifion was the original Gwynedd Cycletrack, providing easy cycling between Caernarfon, Bontnewydd, Llanwnda, Groeslon, Penygroes and Bryncir.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

19.46 km

Ascent

196 m

Time

2 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Caernarfon to Bryncir

Difficulty

Hazards

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Lon Eifion Cycletrack Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Lon Eifion Cycletrack

The beauty of the Lon Eifion cycletrack is that you can take it easy and do a short cycle to one of the many facilities on the way, or do the whole lot and back again without stopping if you want a bit more of a workout. It’s ideal for running as well. The Lon Eifion takes you from Caernarfon to Brynicir, and is 100% tarmacked and traffic free. The route itself is well way marked, with the only obstacles being the occasional gate or road crossing and the farm access tracks that often cross. It may look like a lot of ascent as well, but you’ll hardly need to change gears except at a couple of bridges at Groeslon and Penygroes.

Caernarfon. The route starts off at the end of the platform of the WHR. It’s particularly narrow for the first 5k, and is also busiest in this area so care needs to be taken as it’s used by cyclists, runners and walkers. At around the 2k mark there’s a garden centre with a decent cafe if you feel you need to stop already. Up until Dinas, you’re parallel to the Welsh Highland Railway.

Lon Eifion

Llanwnda Roundabout. This is the busiest road you’ll need to cross. The path continues after the car park, which is an alternative starting point to this route. Before you arrive at point 7, the path snakes sharply left then hairpins right.

Groeslon – There’s a pub here, the Penionnyn (or Onion Head – apparently a descriptive of the appearance of a previous landlord’s head) and another road to cross. There’s a short pull up ahead to the bridge over the road.

Lon Eifion

Inigo Jones – Easily missed, just after the bridge, there’s a friendly cafe that’s worth including as a break stop. Continuing beyond this point, just take care as there are a couple of access tracks to the Glyn Llifon Estate and farms that only rarely carry traffic.

Penygroes – There’s another little hill here, before you can freewheel to the last road crossing. It’s worth taking a moment to admire the view across the Nantlle Ridge that, on a clear day, appears to rise up directly behind the town.

Lon Eifion

Bryncir – That’s it. A bit of an anticlimax. You’ve a couple of choices now. Either turn back, get into Bryncir and find the pub down the road or extend your journey across to the southern Llyn coast. Walkers can take the Lon Goed to Llanystumdwy or Chwilog, but not bike friendly.

You can download a full printable route guide from the following website – link.

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

The Lon Eifion was the original Gwynedd Cycletrack, providing easy cycling between Caernarfon, Bontnewydd, Llanwnda, Groeslon, Penygroes and Bryncir.

Route Start Location: Caernarfon to Bryncir

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
19.46 km 196 m 2 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: 

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

There are plenty of facilities in Caernarfon, with a pub at Groeslon, a cafe just after at Inigo Jones and Penygroes is a short diversion if needed.

Hazards

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking :

Parking in Caernarfon town centre, but there’s limited roadside parking at the start. There’s free parking available at Llanwnda and Groselon.

Public Transport:

There’s a bus route between the start and end points.

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Snowdonia Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

Please rate this

Dave Roberts

Dave Roberts founded Walk Eryri in 2004, with the aim of providing routes that are off the beaten track. Walk Eryri is now part of Mud and Routes which continues to provide more off beat routes and walks in Snowdonia and beyond. Dave has been exploring the hills of Eryri for over thirty years, and is a qualified Mountain Leader. Dave also established Walk up Snowdon, Walk up Scafell Pike and Walk up Ben Nevis just to mention a few.

More Posts by Dave Roberts

Leave a Reply