Lake Vyrnwy and Dam – Wayfarer Eastern Approach loop from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog

United Kingdom

Wales

North Wales

Lake Vyrnwy and Dam – Wayfarer Eastern Approach loop from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog

Hard

riders

Lake Vyrnwy and Dam – Wayfarer Eastern Approach loop from Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog

05:55

81.5km

1,640m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Y Berwyn National Nature Reserve

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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23.9 km

Vyrnwy Dam

Highlight • Lake

The Vyrnwy Dam features a road bridge atop its structure with 31 arches. The dam, notable for being the first with drainage tunnels to prevent pressure build-up, is further characterised by two small towers, each boasting four corner turrets.

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24.2 km

Lake Vyrnwy and Dam

Highlight • Bridge

Park at the very top of the Lake if arriving in a car. Note that some sections can get closed due to rock falls at the top of the Lake near the Waterfall Car Park.

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25.8 km

Lake Vyrnwy Straining Tower

Highlight • Monument

Lake Vyrnwy (Welsh: Llyn Efyrnwy, pronounced [ɛˈvərnʊɨ] or Llyn Llanwddyn) is a reservoir in Powys, Wales, built in the 1880s for Liverpool Corporation Waterworks to supply Liverpool with fresh water. …

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32.6 km

Hirnant Pass Climb from Rhiwargor

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

There is more climbing on this side of the Hirnant climb starting from Lake Vyrnwy. The 4km climb can be divided into four sections - the first 1km steeply beyond …

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52.2 km

Hirnant Riverside at Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Highlight • Forest

Absolutely stunning valley to ride up.

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72.4 km

Wayfarer Memorial Pass

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Iconic spot for off-road cycling history in the UK - famously written about in the article "Over the top" in Cycling magazine (May 1919) by Walter MacGregor Robinson aka Wayfarer.

Worth the struggle up from LLanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog!

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73.2 km

Wayfarer Memorial Traverse

Highlight • Trail

The Wayfarer Memorial Traverse is a very rough but wide track that can be best described as a good gravel ride for the most part. It is best ridden on …

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