| 1. Rhiw to Trefor.
Of the 4 stages this is the trickiest to arrange return via public transport, and probably the least interesting. However, it is still worthwhile.
Transport: A taxi from Trefor to Rhiw is one option or to do it by bus I suggest to leave the bike at Rhiw and drive to Pwllheli. Park here (free on Embankment Road) and take the 17B bus to Rhiw. Timetable here http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_amserlen_bws.asp?rhif_gwasanaeth=17_17B At the end of the ride in Trefor take the No 12 bus back to Pwllheli. http://www.gwynedd.gov.uk/gwy_amserlen_bws.asp?rhif_gwasanaeth=12
The Route:
A great start - Over 3 miles of almost continuous downhill into Aberdaron. This is a pretty little village and worth a wander round although it seems a bit too soon to stop. After a short sharp climb out of Aberdaron you come to a junction where you follow the road signed "Unsuitable for wide vehicles". The road is not well maintained and has the feeling it will stop at a remote farm anytime but stick with it and after a while it improves. Follow as per map through a series of country lanes. All quite pleasant and reasonably flat but the coastal views range from disappointing to non-existent. After little of any note you arrive at a STOP sign where you join the B4417. This takes you directly to the first village of any size since Aberdaren - Edern. You barely have time to notice there are houses strung together before you cross the stream and take a short steep climb up to Morfa Nefyn. If time allows its well worth breaking the ride here. Leave the bikes in the village and walk up past the golf club along the cliff top as far as the very quaint hamlet of Porth Dinllaen - take refreshment in the Ty Coch Inn then walk back along the beach. Continuing on the bikes the larger though less interesting town of Nefyn arrives very quickly. At the crossroads in Nefyn go straight across and take a deep breath. This is the only serious climb on the route but each time you think it's done some more appears. There is then a pleasant section with woodland appearing and disappearing on either side before emerging onto the B4354. About 150m before the junction there is a possible shortcut which leaves through a ford. I don't recommend it - it's a jungle! Continue to follow the route as mapped along a gently undualting road to meet the A499. It's a busy main road and not much fun but gets you around the hills of Yr Eifl with only gentle climbing and avoids the more serious and much higher route through the pass via Llithfaen. From just past Llanelhaearn there is a cycle track to the east side of the main road, not easily visible when the grass separating them is long. However, its an easy fast downhill now so don't miss the turn to Trefor and cruise in to the end. If catching the bus back to Pwllheli the bus stop is the shelter just below the shop on the WRONG side of the road as the bus comes from your left! Crazy Welsh! |