Best drives in North Wales

[jason156]

Well, as so little happens on this board, I thought I'd start a thread of the best drives in North Wales.

So a nice one from Carno.
Take the A470 north from here through Llanbrynmair and Comins Coch at the next island (Cemaes Road) turn right , over the fantastic Afon Twymyn and on through to the big island at Mallwyd, there is a petrol station off to the right and the Brigands Inn right on the island is a grand place for a meal!
Go straight across here through Dinas Mawddwy, and on up and over Bwlch Dinas itself, its a fantastic pull up Dinas, good chance to work that engine there is a huge temptation to open her up on the way down the other side, but be carefull as there are often police there....
At the bottom of the hill there is an old derelict pub, turn left here and head towards Corris, but before you get there turn right to Tal Y Llyn, a stunning lahe at the base of Cadair Idris.
tal y llyn.jpg
Carry on towards the town of Tywyn, stopping to walk the falls at Dolgoch on the way (optional!)
In Tywyn turn down the coast and go south towards the lovely seaside town of Aberdyfi via the beautiful coastal road
Stop in Aberdyfi, walk on the beach (for miles) go crabbing with the kids on the pier.
If you can tear yourself away from the delights of this little town, carry on down towards Machynlleth, carry straight on through the town and head for Aberystwyth, not far from Machynlleth you could take a detour to Ynys Las, where you can drive onto the beach to take some stunning shots of you Alfa with the town of Aberdyfi behind it in the setting sun, or of your folks of course!
either way you then head towards Aberystwyth, which is a grand old university town right on the coast
From Aberystwyth head on back towards Llangurig, this is a sublime road, scenery and lovely flowing bends Its a stunning area even in, no especially in, the rain
At Llangurig, I am stuck, for the best drive you need to go south to the Elan Valley area by Rhayader, a drive down alongside the brilliant River Wye, and explore the stunning Lakes and Dams of the area But we are heading back towards the market town of Llanidloes, and then on towards Caersws and the turn off for Carno to complete the circle, but if you turn off at Llanidloes, after a stunning long straight , at the island turning, straight down to the next island accross the River Severn , take your next left uptowards Llyn Clywedog, at the top of a hill you can choose to go straight on, or left to the Dam itself, my advice here is......
Go either way and do an entire lap of the lake, and then continue on towards Llanbrynmair, where you can turn right back to Carno.
Then its time to wash and polish the Alfa and enjoy a dram in front of the log burner

[tcm]

That sounds like a good drive ill have to give it a go sometime soon.
Top gear did a top 10 drives in the uk and three of them were in mid/north wales.

[G5een]

some good roads going through denbigh moores.

[GhostyDog]

From Gwytherin to Betws y Coed on farm roads, AWESOME!!!

[ACAPULCO AL]

the coast road round anglesey is a cracker, A5025 round the north of the island followed by the A4080 along the south. very little traffic away from school holiday times and a good mix of roads with stunning coastal scenery everywhere. goes from country lanes to long swooping A-road bends to woodland parts and finally sand dunes etc in the south west of the island about 50 miles (ish) in total

[Gaz v6 power]

hi jason,
i know the roads around mid wales well from when i lived in newtown and worked at Laura Ashley carno, and your right there are some great roads around that part of the world, but now i live back in the wrexham area i have great fun in my 156 v6 sp3 from llangollen over the horse shoe pass then left towards Bala then back to mid wales, or even better try the A5 Betws-y-coed then A470 to the A55 and the Conwy tunnels they sound great with a v6 with the windows down, keep a keen eye out for the law.

Gary

[jason156]

Originally Posted by Gaz v6 power

hi jason,
i know the roads around mid wales well from when i lived in newtown and worked at Laura Ashley carno, and your right there are some great roads around that part of the world, but now i live back in the wrexham area i have great fun in my 156 v6 sp3 from llangollen over the horse shoe pass then left towards Bala then back to mid wales, or even better try the A5 Betws-y-coed then A470 to the A55 and the Conwy tunnels they sound great with a v6 with the windows down, keep a keen eye out for the law.

Gary

How long ago were you in Ashleys, most of my partners family were employed at the factory before it closed, the village is quieter now, 'cept when my Alfa is about
What colour is your SP3 V6?
Top car though eh?
I love the overtaking coming back from town on the back road thru Aberhafesp, it damn near takes off on the switchbacks just before red house farm (at 90+) and can top 110 on the big dip leading to foxes pitch........

[Gaz v6 power]

I worked at most of the Ashley factorys as a mechanic from 1978 and worked at carno from 1990 to 1995 and then moved to the oswestry factory until 1999 , i had some great friends and some great times i still miss it all , a thursday night out in newtown was a real giggle with all the lads from work, its a shock and a surprise to hear the factory has closed ,
My car is W reg its silver with red leather interior i bought it on ebay last year for 1500 quid with full service history i just had the cambelt and water pump changed also the lower wishbones changed for 1000 quid at allitalia a alfa specialist near wrexham , the car runs great except for the standard radio/cd which has a mind of its own it changes cds and radio stations all by its self so i will have to get a second hand one from somewhere maybe ebay also the leather gearknob could do with replacing for a new one but i hear they are a nightmare to get off,other than that its all good news,
so tell me a bit about your alfa.
Cheers
Gary

[jason156]

Its a cosmos blue metalic sp3 with black leather, cost nearer 3k last may But had loads of history, inc. a recent cambeltI have a great Blaupunct stereo which plays CD's off an sd card which holds 22 albums, and they don't jump on cats eyes.

I wanted the silver and red combo, but as I work in a steel fabrication shop I felt black was easier to keep tidy.
Its easily the most enjoyable car I've owned.
Speak to you soon

[jason156]

Just spoken to the better half, Beth(an) who thinks you and a few guys moved down here at the same time, were you mates with Wynn Bound and the infamous Chopper?
Beth worked in fusing and on buttons.....

[Gaz v6 power]

I knew bethan well also wynn bound martin lloyd paul prichard mia stoker and the late howard mills just to name a few, iam big mates with chopper but i have not seen him for some time, i worked in the sewing room with ali williams and was going out with a girl called lynsey reece from llanidloes and i lived on the vaynor housing estate, i now live back in my home village called caergwrle,iam now a crane engineer its a big change from sewing machines,
my name is gary jones say hello to bethan for me i hope she remembers me, it would be good to catch up with my old friends some time and keep in touch.
speak to you soon mate,
Gary

[jason156]

Martin now runs a business making hot air balloon baskets, Wynn worked for JT Hughes in Newtown, Mia has just turned 40, though I don't think I'd get thanked for saying that.
I used to work with Howards nephew who was a nice guy, which is what everyone says about Howard, tho I never knew him

My company is fitting some balcony units to a Barrets site in Wrexham Stryt Las, and I think they used a Graham Jones crane, is that one of yours?

[ady006]

Looks a bit quite there in that lounge by yourself

[ady006]

only joking mate, you doing alright ?

[jason156]

Originally Posted by ady006

only joking mate, you doing alright ?

Yeah, sound Ade, you know this lounge is a lonely place, good job I am in mid Wales and look in on you guys now and again

[rmaxeman]

I passed through Newtown on the wkend. I had a good run from Wrexham down to Cardiff on Saturday. It was the 1st long run I've done since I bought it a couple of months ago and loved every bit! Especially the trip back up to Wrexham at 1am!
Empty roads most of the way until it got quite busy in Newtown with all the taxis ferrying drunks home

had a couple of scary moments, those mid wales rabbits playing chicken certainly test the handling!

[jason156]

I'll be up to Wrexham soon as I am thinking of getting my belts done at All Italia soon, I've heard good things so far..

[Seabadger]

Top gear did a top 10 drives in the uk and three of them were in mid/north wales.

Fantastic driving country - I hate north Wales with a passion but still enjoyed driving a Toyota Yaris around Snowdonia.

[G5een]

Originally Posted by Seabadger

Fantastic driving country - I hate north Wales with a passion but still enjoyed driving a Toyota Yaris around Snowdonia.

Hate it with a passion It's not that bad

[rmaxeman]

Originally Posted by jason156

I'll be up to Wrexham soon as I am thinking of getting my belts done at All Italia soon, I've heard good things so far..

Only had the motor for a few months so not had a chance to check them out but from what I hear they are good.

[ady006]

I once drove from Rhyd-Ddu to Nantile at night awesome!

[rmaxeman]

Will be spending more time near Bangor this summer so I'll be checking out the back roads soon!

I do a fair bit a night driving and love it! Quiet roads - Bliss!!

[fluffysqueek]

Originally Posted by rmaxeman

Will be spending more time near Bangor this summer so I'll be checking out the back roads soon!

I do a fair bit a night driving and love it! Quiet roads - Bliss!!

let me know when ur in the area so i can drive behind you, it would be nice to drive next to another alfa around here

[rmaxeman]

Originally Posted by fluffysqueek

let me know when ur in the area so i can drive behind you, it would be nice to drive next to another alfa around here

Will do Where do you normally cruise?

[fluffysqueek]

well from caernarfon area but all over gwynedd betws y coed roads are wicked