Traws Eryri, meaning “Trans Snowdonia” in Welsh, is one of the newest and most exciting additions to Wales’ growing network of long-distance trails. Launched in 2023 by Cycling UK in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, the 200km off-road route runs the full length of Eryri National Park (Snowdonia), linking the historic mid Wales town of Machynlleth in the south with the medieval castle town of Conwy on the north coast. It is a genuine mountain-to-sea adventure, stitched together from bridleways, forest roads, ancient drovers’ tracks and even sections of Roman road, and it has quickly become one of the standout off-road cycling and mountain biking journeys in Britain.
Eryri itself needs little introduction. Home to nine distinct mountain ranges and the highest peak in Wales, Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the national park draws millions of visitors every year, the vast majority of whom head straight for the same handful of honeypot spots. Traws Eryri deliberately steers away from all of that. Instead, it threads a quieter path through the park’s lesser-known corners, from the dense forestry of Dyfi and Coed y Brenin in the south to the slate valleys of the north, giving riders a very different and far less crowded view of what is normally Wales’ busiest national park.
The scenery along the way changes constantly. Early sections climb out of Machynlleth through the atmospheric Dyfi Forest, opening out to sweeping views of Cadair Idris and the Mawddach estuary, before the route drops onto the flat, easy-going Mawddach Trail, a former railway line that makes for a welcome breather between the climbs. Further north, the trail enters Coed y Brenin, widely regarded as the spiritual home of British mountain biking, then rolls on through the open, rugged country around Trawsfynydd before climbing again into the forests and rocky uplands surrounding Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed.
History is never far away on this route. It passes close to the Roman remains at Castell Tomen y Mur, follows stretches of the ancient Sarn Helen track once used by Roman legions, and crosses land shaped for centuries by slate quarrying, an industry so significant to the area that the Slate Landscape of Northwest Wales now holds UNESCO World Heritage status. Riders pass through towns and villages that grew up entirely around the trade, offering a fascinating glimpse of Welsh industrial heritage tucked in among the mountains. The trail eventually finishes beneath the walls of Conwy Castle, one of the finest medieval fortresses in Europe, a fitting end to a journey that spans so much of Wales’ history and landscape.
Make no mistake, this is a route for capable, experienced riders. With well over 4,000 metres of climbing across its length, steep gradients, remote and exposed sections, and a genuine mix of terrain from smooth forest track to rougher singletrack, Traws Eryri rewards fitness and a sense of adventure. In return, it delivers some of the wildest and most rewarding riding anywhere in Wales, through landscapes that most visitors to Eryri never get close to seeing.
Our Traws Eryri cycling holiday takes you the full mountain-to-sea distance from Machynlleth to Conwy, with all the logistics taken care of so you can focus on the riding. Choose a self-guided trip and set off at your own pace with route notes, GPX files and pre-booked accommodation each night, or join one of our guided departures with an experienced local leader and support vehicle on hand throughout. Either way, we take care of daily luggage transfer between overnight stops, so there is no need to carry anything more than what you need for the day’s ride. Quality mountain or gravel bikes are available to hire if you would rather not bring your own, and our team is always on hand for advice on the right kit and preparation for a trip of this scale.
Day 1: Arrive in Machynlleth Make your own way to Machynlleth, Wales’ historic former capital and the southern gateway to Eryri National Park. Settle into your accommodation and enjoy an evening in this lively market town before the ride begins.
Day 2: Machynlleth to Dolgellau A sustained climb out of Machynlleth takes you up into the atmospheric Dyfi Forest, one of the most memorable sections of the whole route. As the trees open out, expansive views towards Cadair Idris and the Mawddach valley unfold ahead of a long, enjoyable descent into the mountain town of Dolgellau.
Day 3: Dolgellau to Trawsfynydd Today rolls out along the flat, easy-going Mawddach Trail before the route climbs into Coed y Brenin, the UK’s spiritual home of mountain biking. Forest roads and stretches of the ancient Sarn Helen track lead you on towards the open, slate-strewn country around Trawsfynydd Lake.
Day 4: Trawsfynydd to Betws-y-Coed The route passes the Roman remains at Castell Tomen y Mur before climbing through the dramatic slate landscape around Blaenau Ffestiniog, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Fast, flowing trails through the Lledr valley and past Penmachno bring you into the popular village of Betws-y-Coed for the night.
Day 5: Betws-y-Coed to Conwy A final day of riding takes you through the Gwydyr Forest on flowing gravel and singletrack, before the route climbs one last time onto the coastal hills above Conwy. The first glimpse of the sea marks the beginning of the end, with a spectacular descent bringing you down to the finish beside the medieval walls of Conwy Castle.
Day 6: Depart Enjoy a final morning exploring Conwy, one of the best-preserved walled towns in Europe, before making your way home.
(Itinerary shown as an example – stages, mileage and overnight stops can be adjusted to suit riding ability and available time.)