Betws-y-Coed-Snowdonia-Easy-Blue-Route

About trip

WMB124 Betws-y-Coed, Snowdonia Easy (Blue) Route

Start/Finish Betws-y-Coed railway station, SH 794 568 Total distance 21km (13 miles) Time 1.5 hours + Maps Harvey’s British Mountain Map: Snowdonia. Garmin GB Discoverer 1:25k Snowdonia National Park (GPS) Summary Reasonably sheltered, some steep climbing and rougher singletrack. From Betws-y-Coed railway station, turn right along the high street (A5), then right over the bridge. Take the left opposite the gear shop and follow this lane from the town, parallel with river but climbing. At an obvious junction near the end of the residential area, take the unsigned single carriageway Tarmac road climb to the right and ascend steeply leaving the river behind. Near the top you will meet a fire road which crosses the Tarmac track: this is the Marin trail so keep an eye out for signage from now on and follow it round through the latter half of the loop, towards the car park. At the crossroads above Pen y Parc, bear left still on fire road to cut out the descent and re-ascent to and from the car park. Polish off the climb then enjoy the singletrack down into the valley, cross the road and follow the Marin trail signage through several singletrack sections before exiting onto the road above Pencraig. Roll down the road to a gentle fire road climb which delivers you to the Dragon’s Tail, which is steep and loose so take care if you’re nervous about rocky sections. At the exit continue to follow markers, crossing minor road and continuing on fire road to Pont Banog. Climb steeply up the road, then bear right to enter Endor and Stumpdance sections of singletrack. At the end of Stumpdance, you’ll see the point where you joined the Marin trail; turn right here and descend to the valley. Return to Betws-y-Coed on the road.