Bala to Lake Vyrnwy – North Wales Route

Bala to Lake Vyrnwy – North Wales Route

The Route

Strava route of Bala to Lake Vyrnwy
Loop from Bala to Lake Vyrnwy https://www.strava.com/routes/16736797

The Ride

On a recent trip to Wales I decided to take my bike so I could explore the roads near my In Laws place in Bala.

Thankfully, saving me from having to think too hard I was able to use a new present Lost Lanes Wales as it had a ride starting and finishing in Bala. Sorted.

If you ever plan on riding in Wales I would recommend this book, I’ve only been able to try out two routes so far, but if the others are as good as what I’ve ridden then it’s going to be some of the best riding you can do.

I headed out to take on this route on a damp and cloudy morning in late December with a 40mph headwind… Despite being described as a difficult Alpine adventure I decided it would be simple enough to do without any breakfast and only a banana in my pocket! How naive I was. Thankfully I was able to pick up some local Lake Vyrnwy honey en route to keep me going!

Lake Vynwy Honey
This local honey saved me from bonking!

The roads do not disappoint. Beautiful single track roads meander up and over the mountains with not a soul around. Over the whole 3 hour ride I only had 1 car pass me. Unheard of while riding the roads in the Peak District.

The single track roads up Hirnant and Bwlch y Groes (Hellfire Pass – the second highest paved road in Wales) are exceptional. I can’t wait to head up here in summer with more time and less headwind to explore.

  • Beautiful roads heading up Hirnant away from Bala
  • Heading up and out of Bala, you can see the road snaking away into the distance
  • Head down and make it up the hill.
  • The descent down to Lake Vyrnwy
  • View of the Lake
  • Bridge over Lake Vyrnwy
  • Heading up Bwlch y Groes heading back to Bala
  • Another view of Bwlch y Groes