Creative Cycle Tours North Wales
Porthmadog – Cycling with Coastal & Mountain Contrast
Porthmadog – Sea Air, Estuary Roads & Snowdonia on the Horizon
Porthmadog gives you something special — sea views in one direction and mountain backdrops in the other.
It’s one of the most varied cycling bases in North Wales. You can spin along the estuary in the morning and be climbing towards Snowdonia by the afternoon.
Destination-Portmadog
Why Base Yourself Here?
Porthmadog has proper character. It grew through the slate trade, and the harbour still gives the town that maritime feel.
- The Glaslyn Estuary cycle paths
- Access towards Beddgelert and the Snowdonia foothills
- Quiet inland lanes heading south
- Coastal options towards Criccieth and beyond
And if the weather shifts (as it does), you’ve still got cafés, shops and the historic Ffestiniog Railway right in town.
More to See & Do
Porthmadog is not just about cycling — there are plenty of ways to enjoy the area during your stay.
Visit Port Meirion the Italianate village used in the ‘Prisoner’ TV series of the 60’s
Take the Ffestiniog steam train rail to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back
Take the Highland Steam train to Caernarfon and back.
Purple Moose Brewery produces good local beer. They own and run the ‘Australian’ pub on the high street.
Creative Cycle Tours North Wales
Create your own Cycle Tours
How the Bike Wales Hub & Spoke Tours Work
Create your own multiday tours
Select from our route options and link them together to create your own daily itinerary.
Your first day will start in Llandudno, where you collect your bike and begin the ride.
You plan the days in between, choosing where you would like to ride and which destinations you want to include.
Your final day will finish with a ride back to Llandudno, completing your tour.
Planning Your Bike Wales Tour
Start and End the Tours at Llandudno
- You chose ‘2 day’ tour ( 1 night away)
- You chose ‘3 day’ tour ( 2 nights away)
- You chose ‘4 day’ tour ( 3 nights away)
- etc
- etc
Accommodation:
- you are responsible for making the accommodation booking.
- some B&B’s no longer take a single night bookings
Great tours - Portmadog
Mountain approach climbs into Snowdonia
If you want scenery, flexibility and proper Welsh atmosphere, Porthmadog delivers.
Day 1 Llandudno to Porthmadog
A scenic ride through forests, moorland and mountain landscapes.
Ride Overview
Getting to Betws-y-Coed
The outward journey begins with a short train ride from Llandudno to Betws-y-Coed.
- Departure: 10:10am (approx. 43 minutes, direct)
- Alternative: 13:10 departure
- No changes required
Alternatively, you can ride directly from Llandudno, adding approximately 32 km (20 miles) to the day.
Route Navigation
From Betws-y-Coed, follow the route using your preferred navigation method. We recommend:
- using a smartphone with a GPX navigation app
- or hiring one of our Garmin GPS bike computers with routes pre-loaded
If using your phone, it’s important to bring a backup power bank, as navigation apps can use significant battery over a full day’s ride.
The Ride
The route begins with a steady climb out of Betws-y-Coed, following quiet wooded lanes as you gradually gain height.
The early section includes a number of climbs, some of which are steeper, but most are manageable when ridden at a steady pace.
A good approach is to keep a consistent, gentle rhythm — avoiding pushing too hard on the climbs will make the ride much more enjoyable.
As you continue, the landscape opens out into high moorland, with wide views, big skies and very little traffic. Much of this section follows narrow, smooth tarmac roads with passing places.
Approaching Porthmadog
After the high moorland section, the route descends into the Vale of Ffestiniog, followed by a series of shorter climbs and descents.
You’ll reach Penrhyndeudraeth, which is the first opportunity to stop for food and drink since leaving Betws-y-Coed.
From here, the final section continues on to Porthmadog, where the day’s ride finishes.
Route Highlights
- Quiet forest lanes
- Open moorland landscapes
- Panoramic mountain views
- Low traffic single-track roads
- Descent into the Vale of Ffestiniog
Planned Bike rides - Portmadog
Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or in a small group, we’re happy to help you organise the perfect 2–4 day cycling experience.
Don't wait until it's too late
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