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.
Route 7b Photos
The ride out of Betws is on an uphill single-track Tarmac Road, normally very little or no traffic.
The first lake (Llyn) you reach is a sporting lake for swimmers and paddleboarders or other water activities and can be very busy in Summer. This is a very popular lake with public toilets.
From here the route winds up hill away from the lake where the route now crosses a cattle grid onto an open landscape before crossing another cattle grid and back into the forest. After a few kilometres a quiet tarmac road is reached where this route turns Right and you descend towards the A5 road. TAKE GREAT CARE ON THE DESCENT- Slow and Careful. At the junction of the A5 there is the Ugly House café which is worth a stop, which happens to be about half way through this ride.
From here the route unavoidably uses the A5 for about 400metres before turning into the Caen y Coed carpark which gives access to the forest again. Take care on the A5 road, its fast and busy, but there is good visibility and there is also a pavement if required.
Once back into the Forest there is a very steep and long climb which is best enjoyed on an Ebike. After sometime you will reach Llyn Elsi which maybe easily missed if attention is not paid to the bike computer GPS. When leaving the picnic and monument area take great care pushing the bike down the short rocky slope beside the lake. An alternative option for this part will be explained before you leave the hire shop. Its not a dangerous slope, just awkward.
Now there is a fun long descent back towards Betws. Take care on the descent when approaching blind corners as you may meet traffic coming up towards you from the other direction, normally there will be no traffic, but there are 2 homes and 1 farm in this area of the forest so traffic is possible.
Bikes come equipped with Spare Inner tube /repair kit and map. Please return after use.
Garmin Satnav is available for hire to make navigation easy or a GPX file can be emailed if you want to use your own bike computer or phone.