Duration:
2 days
Terrain:
Tarmac - 72%
Gravel - 28%
Choose your comfort
Camping
B&B
24th – 25th May 2025
18th – 19th Jul 2025
19th – 20th Jul 2025
Start/Finish:
Machynlleth
Distance:
Miles - 58
Uphill - 1600m
Price (per person):
£350 (Camping)
£395 (B&B)
Group Size:
2 - 8
Difficulty Rating:
Challenging
Expect a couple of long climbs (gruellingly steep on day 2 - you've been warned!), exposed moors and a short section of bumpy track which you may opt to ‘hike-a-bike’.
Day 1: Snowdonia emerges 31 miles / 5 - 6 hrs / 845m
We’ll meet in the arty town of Machynlleth where we’ll give you your briefing, pack your kit into bags, strap them to your bike and set you off. After a tough climb you are rewarded as Snowdonia emerges before you and epic views up the coast, all the way to the Llyn Peninsula. The views absorbed, it’s downhill all the way to the Mawddach Estuary down a bumpy track, past stunning mountain lakes and over a wooden train bridge.
Day 2: Estuary serenity 28 miles / 4 - 5 hrs / 525m
Leaving the coast behind, head up the serene Mawddach Estuary, spotting birdlife along the way. A quick stop for coffee and cake, then back in the saddle to start the climb back towards Cadair Idris. Quiet lanes and gravel tracks lead you through some ancient woodlands before climbing up onto the exposed moorland for great views of Cadair Idris and South Snowdonia. Hold on as you take the forested tracks down to the picturesque village of Corris and on to Machynlleth.
INCLUDED
Bike
Bikepacking bags
Accommodation (B&B or Camping)
Route, preloaded onto a GPS device
Bespoke guide book
Bike setup and kit demonstration
Pre trip informational video
Emergency backup service
Helmet & gloves
First aid kit
Bike lock
Water bottle
Tool kit
CAMPING
1 night campsite fees, pre paid
Tent (2 or 3 person to share)
Rollmat & inflatable pillow
Sleeping bag
Headtorch
Gas stove
Firepot breakfast pouches
Tea, coffee, mug, & spoon
B&B
1 night B&B accommodation
Breakfast included
NOT INCLUDED
Food & Drinks
Insurance
Barmouth Toll Bridge (£1 both ways)
Logs for campfire (camping only)
Embrace the elements or a temporary pause from nature. Camping or B&B, the choice is yours.
Select which option you would prefer on the booking enquiry form.
A boutique hotel perched on the hillside, close to the seaside town of Barmouth, with spectacular views overlooking the Mawddach Estuary.
+ Less equipment to carry
+ Sleep in a proper bed
– Temporary pause from wilderness
– No marshmallows on the fire
A beautiful little campsite, perched high on the hillside above Barmouth, with breath-taking sea views. For dinner, its a 20 minute hillside hike into Barmouth and a 30 minute hillside hike back up again. Or it’s a short taxi ride!
+ Full nature experience
+ Evenings around a campfire
– More kit to carry
– Camping even if it rains
Food and drink are at your own expense. We can recommend our favourite pubs and cafes, but it’s entirely up to you where and when you eat.
B&B – Breakfast is included.
Camping – The rural locations of our campsites means there isn’t always a cafe close by for breakfast, so to make sure you have something in your belly before you set off, we provide Firepot breakfast pouches which you simply add hot water to cook, along with tea and coffee making facilities.
Lunches can be sourced enroute, packed lunch or cafe stops.
If you choose the B&B option, you’ll always be within walking distance from a good pub. For those camping, its a 20 minute hillside hike into Barmouth where there are plenty of options for dinner. Then it’s a 30 minute hillside hike back up again. Or it’s a short taxi ride!
Start: We will meet you at the start point in Machynlleth at 10am. The exact start point location and timings will be sent out closer to the time of your trip.
You should arrive in the clothes you’ll ride in and with your kit packed in the dry bag we posted to you.
Bike set up and kit briefing will take about 1 – 1 ½ hours depending on the group size.
Finish You can expect to be back at the start point in Machynlleth by 3pm on Day 2
If travelling by train, allow at least 2 hours to hand back bike, kit and get to the train station
Train There are regular trains to Machynlleth. Connections with Shrewsbury if coming from the east.
The start point will be within walking distance from Machynlleth train station.
You can leave any stuff you don’t need for your trip with us, like clothes to travel home in.
Car If you plan on driving to the start point, feel free to contact us for advice on where to park and leave your vehicle for the duration of your trip.
All vehicles will be left at your own risk.
If you’re travelling far, why not take the pressure off and stay overnight in Machynlleth.
Remember, you will be carrying your kit with you and space on the bike is very limited, so stick to the kit list and pack light. You need less than you think. When packing, think light and packable. Avoid bulky fleece and denim, and go for merino wool, microfiber or cotton.
Prior to your trip, we will send you a dry bag which all your kit will need to fit into. We'll also send you a short video to explain how you'll attach you kit to the bike.
TO CYCLE IN
EVENING WEAR
OTHER STUFF
Save time and bring you packed lunch with you for Day 1
Bring a set of clothes for your journey home. If you’re travelling by train, you can leave any stuff you don’t need with us.
Our routes are designed to blend the rewards of physical challenge, with space to discover the unexpected and time to appreciate the journey. The distances are not massive and should allow for you to take your time, follow the more scenic route and experience the places between the places. It’s as much about the lazy lunch, taking in the view or finding a spot for a wild swim as it is about knocking out the miles.
This route is graded CHALLENGING, based on someone with a good level of cardiovascular fitness.
For those with a good level of fitness, comfortable cycling 4-5 hours a day and who take pleasure in being physically challenged. Expect to encounter some long climbs, with persistent steep sections. An ounce of bike handling skills will come in handy for the odd bumpy gravel track.
This route passes through remote landscapes, where you are exposed to the elements with very few shops or cafes in between start/finish points, so you’ll need to take lunch and snacks with you on both days.
If you’re not a regular cyclist, get your body bike trip ready by commuting to work, or do some spin classes. It all helps.