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Visit Wales (WTB)
Country House (5-Star)
Improvements at Abercelyn have been assisted by VisitWales |
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Mrs Lindsay Hind Abercelyn Country House & Cottage Llanycil, Bala, LL23 7YF Gwynedd, Wales, UK Phone: 01678 521109 Phone (int.): +44 1678 521109 Fax: 01678 520848 Fax (int.): +44 1678 520848 E-mail: info@abercelyn.co.uk
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| Bala is located in the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales, UK |
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Green Dragon Award |
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© 2005 Abercelyn Country House |
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Biking at Abercelyn, Bala |
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Information on biking from Abercelyn There are several quiet local roads for cycling. There are also many excellent locations for Mountain Biking in the Berwyns and the Penllyn Forest close to Bala or slightly further away at dedicated mountain bike centres, e.g. Coed-y-Brenin Forest Park near Dollgelau and Gwydyr Forest Centre (2-miles north of Betws-y-Coed). Biking routes (on roads or car free trails) There are many quiet roads locally, e.g. Bala to Llanuwchllyn along the back of the lake or Bala to Llandderfel and Cynwyd along the Dee Valley. Bala is the home of the Wild Wales Challenge a demanding tour, of around 80 miles, over mountainous roads held on the August Bank Holliday Sunday each year - you can follow the route or past ones when you choose. Marked “Bike Routes around Bala” on roads (see leaflet from TIC and Abercelyn):
A Bala Round (2½ hours, 16 miles, 26 km): this ride affords an easy introduction to the lovely countryside around Bala including Lake Bala (Llyn Tegid). The road, pleasant and well surfaced, runs parallel with the narrow-gauge railway before taking you into open countryside, dominated by the stark profile of Arenig Fawr. Bike hire available in Bala from R H Roberts. (South Gwynedd Leader Network) Mawddach Trail is car free and runs from Dolgellau to Barmouth (18 km, 11 miles one-way). The Mawddach estuary is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country and is also a bird sanctuary. The trail (tarmac/gravel) was previously a railway line and is therefore flat! Start at Dolgellau and have lunch in Barmouth (cross the estuary via the wooden railway bridge) and then return to Dolgellau. Call at the George III (17th) Hotel Penmaenpool, for lunch or refreshments. Bike hire available in Dolgellau. Sustrans info. The CTC Mawddach Trail circuit follows quiet roads and the Mawddach Trail to provide a circular ride of 22 miles (36 km). It includes Cregennen Lakes and is described as one of the best short rides in Wales. Cadair Idris circuit route: Dolgellau - Cregennen Lakes - Dysynni Valley - Abergynolwyn - Tal-y-llyn Lake - Dolgellau. This circuit takes in some splendid scenery including Tal-y-Llyn. Its a challenging ride of 51 km (32 miles) with 1,200m (4,000 ft) ascent on roads and tracks with plenty of climbin- see CTC info. Lake Vyrnwy: the 12 mile (19 km) shoreline provides one of those rarities in mid-Wales - a long flat, circular road. The journey around the lake is becoming even more enjoyable by the creation of a sculpture trail (Cycling in Rural Wales)). There is also a bird sanctuary, bike hire and refreshments available or try the Tower Tavern at the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel. Bike hire available in Llanwddyn (near the dam). Llyn Brenig: a 11 mile (18 km) route around the lake mainly on tracks with a short distance on a road. The CTC route starts at Llyn Brenig and is a 30 mile circuit on quiet roads. Alwen Trail: a 7 mile (11.5 km), easy, off-road trail round the Alwen reservoir in the lonely Hiraethog moors. Can be extended to Llyn Brenig (see above) making a 14 mile (22 km) "Two Lakes" route. The extensive forest tracks (250 km) and Fun Route at Coed-y-Brenin are suitable for hybrid bikes. The following are more strenuous hill climbing routes, using quiet roads over mountain passes with excellent views:
Available for guests at Abercelyn are cycling routes, which include:
Mountain Biking There is excellent mountain biking locally in the Berwyns and Penllyn Forest, further information in the library at Abercelyn Country house. The Forest Enterprise provides specialised mountain bike centres. The following centres are easily reachable by car (30 mins from Abercelyn):
Lake Vyrnwy (intermediate, 21 km) start at the visitor centre Llanwddyn (near the dam). The Wayfarer a classic cross-country 48 km ride through the Berwyn mountains. |
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Bike Hire Bikes can be rented from:
Local Bike shop & hire: R H Roberts (7/9 High St. Bala) Tel: 01678-520 252
Local Bike Hire: Gro Cycles, (on A494, 3.5 miles north of Bala), Tel: 01678-530 415 or 07867 984 314:
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Biking Links Dolgellau Cycles for the Mawddach Trail R H Roberts (bike hire Bala) Gro Cycles (bike hire near Bala) Bicycle Base: a Valuable Bicycle Directory and Information Resource Cycling in North Wales (CTC) 'Ride the Clwyds' (Clwydian Mountain Range) Sustrans National Cycle Network
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