Mapped Mountain bike Rides around Betws Y Coed
Betws Y Coed and surrounding area has miles of forest fire roads, single track trails, by-ways, lanes and moorland tracks.. Navigation can be hard and maps do not always accurately reflect the actual terrain and tracks in the forest. Local knowledge is helpful. Individuals are permitted to ride anywhere in the Gwydir Forest with the exception of designated footpaths, organised groups however may need to gain permission from Natural Resources Wales (NRW) to undertake certain rides on a commercial basis.
The area can feel remote and wild and often there is no telephone reception. In the forest and on moorland it may take a while for emergency services to reach you so take care and always carry a first aid kit, bike repair kit and let someone know where you are riding.
We have mapped out many of these rides and have the GPX files to download onto your device. Alternatively, we can rent you a Garmin bike SAT NAV computer with the GPX files pre-loaded for £5.
Outlined below are some of the mountain bike trails in the area.
- Distance: 13.9km
- Ascent : 290 metres
- Duration Typical : Half day Manual bike, Half day Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 2 to 3 hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 1 to 2 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
Llyn Elsi Short, Favourite half day ride for Manual Bikes
This is the shortest ride on our list, it is not a flat ride so will require some effort in places.
There are no flat easy rides in this area as the village is at the bottom of a valley, any direction out of the valley requires riding uphill.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 16.5km
- Ascent : 330 metres
- Duration Typical : Half day Manual bike, Half day Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 2.5 to 3.5 hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 1.5 to 2.5 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
Llyn Elsi Short, Favourite half day ride for Manual Bikes
This is the 2nd shortest ride on our list, it is not a flat ride so will require some effort in places.
There are no flat easy rides in this area as the village is at the bottom of a valley, any direction out of the valley requires riding uphill.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 23km
- Ascent : 460 metres
- Duration Typical : Day Ride Manual Bike, Half Day or Full day Electric Bike
- Duration Manual bike : 5 to 6.5 hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 3.5 to 5 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
Sarn Helen, Favourite day ride for manual bikes / Ebikes
This is a circular ride full of surprises. This is easily the most popular day ride on our list, it is not a flat ride so will require some effort in places. A video of the ride can be seen here (Ride Videos)
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 33.9km
- Ascent : 630 metres
- Duration Typical : Day Ride Manual Bike, Day Ride Electric Bike
- Duration Manual bike : 5 to 6.5 hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 4 to 6 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
Sarn Helen Long, Favourite day ride for Ebikes
This is the extended ride of our most popular day ride (Route 03), it is not a flat ride so will require some effort in places.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 16.8km
- Ascent : 400 metres
- Duration Typical : Half day Manual bike, Half day Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 2 to 3 hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 1 to 2 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
This is the 3rd shortest ride on our list, it is not a flat ride so will require some effort in places.
There are no flat easy rides in this area as the village is at the bottom of a valley, any direction out of the valley requires riding uphill.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 23.3km
- Ascent : 600 metres
- Duration Typical : Half day Manual bike, Half day Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 2.5 to 4+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 2 to 3 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
This is a ride for fit cyclist, there are some challenging hills on this ride. The first km as you leave the village is on the road this is unavoidable unfortunately. The first 200metres after leaving the road is tough as this is steeply uphill, after this things improve.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 26.1km
- Ascent : 570 metres
- Duration Typical : Day ride Manual bike, Half day Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 3.5 to 4+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 2.5 to 3+ hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
2 Lakes, Favourite half day ride for Ebikes
Two Lakes, Llyn Crafnant + Llyn Geirionydd. This is a favourite route for half day Ebike rides. There are 3 big climbs which the Ebikes handle very well. This is a favourite route for half day Ebike rides.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 24.5km
- Ascent : 770 metres
- Duration Typical : Day ride Manual bike, Half day Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 3.5 to 4+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 2.5 to 3+ hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
2 Lakes, Favourite half day ride for Ebikes
This is a favourite route for half day Ebike rides. There are 2 big climbs which the Ebikes handle very well. Sometimes this is treated as a day ride on Ebikes as riders take an extended time at Llyn Geirionydd for picnics and a bit of swimming.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 34.8km
- Ascent : 780 metres
- Duration Typical : Day Ride Manual Bike, Day Ride Electric Bike
- Duration Manual bike : 6+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 4+ hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
3 Lakes, Favourite day ride for Ebikes
Three Lakes Llyn Geirionydd, Llyn Crafnant and Llyn Elsi. Only very fit riders should attempt this on a non Ebike. This is a Big Day ride, most suited for Ebikes. There are 4 big climbs which the Ebikes handle very well. The final climb is very steep. Only very fit riders should attempt this on a non Ebike.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 33.7km
- Ascent : 690 metres
- Duration Typical : Day Ride Manual Bike, Day Ride Electric Bike
- Duration Manual bike : 6+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 4+ hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
This is a Big Day ride, most suited for Ebikes. Consisting of 3 main climbs on a mostly Forest type of ride, no lakes or Waterfalls, excellent views of the different valleys and of Moel Siabod. The only café on this ride is at around 27km (Ugly House), although there is a Spar shop with outside undercover seating and a coffee machine at around 21km in Dolwyddelan.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 30.4km
- Ascent : 680 metres
- Duration Typical : Day ride Manual bike, Half day / Day ride Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 6+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 4+ hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
This is a medium / Long Day ride, most suited for Ebikes. Consisting of 2 main climbs, the first half of the first climb is on a quiet road. The second half of the first climb is on a long forest ramp that takes you above Penmachno village. The second climb starts on a quiet road which is part of the Roman Road called Sarn Helen.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 42.3km
- Ascent : 830 metres
- Duration Typical : Day ride Manual bike / Day ride Electric bike
- Duration Manual bike : 7+ hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 5+ hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
Big Tour, Favourite Day ride for Ebikes
This is a Long Day ride, most suited for Ebikes. Consisting of 4 main climbs, the first half of the first climb is on a quiet road. The second half of the first climb is on a long forest ramp that takes you above Penmachno village. The second climb is short and steep in the Lledr valley, the third climb is long and gentle travelling up the Penamner valley.
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
- Distance: 25.5km
- Ascent : Ascent 200 metres ........ Descent 390 metres
- Duration Typical : Half Day ride Manual bike (Bikes are charged at the Full day rate for this ride), Half Day ride Electric bike (Not really required for this ride)
- Duration Manual bike : 4-5 hrs approximately
- Duration Electric bike : 2.5 hrs approximately
- Extras: Satnav Available to hire for £5
- Special Note : This ride requires special arrangements to return riders to the start of the ride. We can normally transport up to 5 people and their bikes.
This is a relatively easy ride as there is more Downhill than Uphill riding. The ride can be started from Joe Browns at Capel Curig or Ogwen Cottage for a very easy and relaxing journey down to Porth Penrhyn on the coast. Video of ride Here!
- Details
- Category: Mapped Routes
