In part one of this post, we looked at three dreamy Welsh roads that are either great fun to drive or wind through idyllic scenery (or both). In this part, we present three more routes to fall in love with.
Scenic Snowdonia Route — A498, A5 and A4086
This route takes you through gorgeous Snowdonia, the first Welsh National Park. Snowdonia is a jewel of a National Park — on a clear day its 800-square-mile patchwork of forests, lakes, mountains and streams are unbeatable. To get a taste of what the area offers, start from Porthmadog on the coast. Taking the A498 through the Aberglaslyn Pass, you’ll encounter two lakes: Llyn Dinas and the mirror-like Llyn Gwynant. A steep climb then takes you up to Nant Gwynant. Here, it’s worth taking a left along the A4086 to Llanberis. You’ll pass the car park at the start of the Pen-y-Pas, where energetic souls tackle Snowdon. The Llanberis Pass is an engaging drive offering some stunning views. And you can see it all again on the way back, heading to Capel Curig and then turning onto the historic A5 to pretty Betws-y-Coed.
A44, inland from Aberystwyth
The A44 between Aberystwyth and Llangurig ticks so many boxes, both for driver and passenger. Either direction is rewarding, but starting on the coast is probably the preferred option. Aberystwyth itself is a pleasant place to explore before hitting the road. The A44 itself is a beauty, with long sweeping curves, some appealing twisties and crests that dramatically reveal beautiful vistas. Look out for the ‘Elvis Rock’, a little graffito with a quirky history. There are stretches, particularly towards Llangurig that keen drivers have described as a motoring nirvana.
Along the Welsh Coastline
We tried to narrow it down, really we did. But the whole coastline has so many highlights that we think you’ll enjoy exploring all of it. No specific roads to direct you on for this one, except maybe the A493, which tracks the clifftops for great views of both countryside and coast. Apart from that, just start at the bottom, keep the sea on your left and stop at the top. Don’t miss the Pembrokeshire National Park — Britain’s only coastal national park is a craggy and colourful marvel. North lies classic castles, such as those at Cardigan, Harlech and Conwy and characterful towns like Portmeirion. Then there’s Anglesey, where virtually all the coast qualifies as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Take your time and plenty of breaks, and the welsh coast will reward you with a varied and terrific road trip.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our six driving routes. Remember that if your car needs an MOT, service or a repair before you set out, we’re here to help — we offer a main dealer level of service at independent garage prices. We’re specialists in Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and SEAT, but we tackle all the other marques too. Why not contact us today?