North Wales’ rugged coastline offers a playground of unmarked bridleways, ancient farm tracks, and windswept beach sands—far from the busy NCN and well-trodden road routes. In this guide, I’ll share three of my favourite lesser-known gravel loops across Anglesey, the Llŷn Peninsula, and Conwy’s coastal fringes. Each ride blends isolated sea views, varied terrain, and the freedom of truly off-road exploration. Lace up your climbing legs, pack a café stop, and let’s uncover Britain’s best-kept gravel secrets by the sea.

• Getting There:
  • Anglesey: Regular ferry crossings to Holyhead (Irish Ferries, Stena Line) and direct trains via the North Wales Coast Line.
  • Llŷn Peninsula: Trains to Pwllheli or Porthmadog (Cambrian Coast Line), plus regular buses along the A499.
  • Conwy Coast: Trains to Llandudno Junction or Colwyn Bay, with easy bus links to Penmaenmawr and Conwy town.

• Best Season: Late spring through early autumn (May–September), when the bridleways dry out and wildflowers bloom. Winter winds can carve deep ruts and expose rocky sections.

• Bike & Tyres:
  • A drop-bar gravel bike with clearance for 38–42 mm tyres or a hardtail MTB with subdued knobbies works best.
  • I run 38 mm tubeless tyres at around 30 psi front / 32 psi rear for a balance of comfort and corner-biting grip.

• Navigation: GPX files loaded onto a handlebar GPS or phone. A compact OS map (114 for Anglesey; 124 for Llŷn; 115 for Conwy) is invaluable when tracks vanish.

• Café & Fueling: Every route notes a mid-ride café or pub. Carry enough gels or bars for the remote middle sections.

Route Rating
• Scenery: 5/5
• Challenge: 3.5/5
• Safety: 4/5

Overview
• Distance: ~35 km
• Elevation Gain: ~600 m
• Terrain: Coastal bridleways, disused quarry tracks, farm lanes, short asphalt link-ups

Highlights

1. Holyhead Breakwater & Country Park: Start at the Breakwater Café, ride the old quarry road before the prom.
2. South Stack Vista: Climb a rough farm track to the clifftops for lighthouse views.
3. Porth Swtan (Church Bay): Drop into the pebble beach via a steep grassy bridleway; peer across to the little tidal church of St Cwyfan.
4. Stanley Embankment “The Cob”: A 1.2 km stretch of raised causeway linking Holy Island to Anglesey proper.
5. Trearddur Bay Return: Smooth forest tracks in the Buried Forest, then coastal road into town.

Detailed Route

• From Holyhead Train Station, head north on the country park track, keeping right at the quarry spur.
• Climb out of the park on a gravel farm lane to Mynydd Twr car park, then pick up the grassy bridleway north toward South Stack.
• After soaking in the cliffs, retrace briefly then swing east on a faint track along the high sea wall toward Porth Swtan. Descend via the rutted grass to the pebble beach—beware sea spray on the steps.
• Remount and head inland, linking onto the old RAF service road through the dunes, then onto “The Cob” embankment—a flat but exposed gravel that rewards with miles-long sea views.
• On Anglesey side, follow fire road signs toward Trearddur Bay, cruise the sandy singletrack through Buried Forest, then finish along the seafront path back to town.

Ride Report
• Tire Pressure: Front 30 psi | Rear 32 psi
• Weather: Clear skies, 18 °C, WNW wind 12 km/h
• Duration: 2 h 45 min including photo stops and short café break

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Route Rating
• Scenery: 5/5
• Challenge: 4.5/5
• Safety: 3.5/5

Overview
• Distance: ~38 km
• Elevation Gain: ~900 m
• Terrain: Unsurfaced coastal footpaths (push-a-bike sections), farm bridleways, narrow tarmac lanes

Highlights

1. Aberdaron Village: Historic harbour start with bakery coffee.
2. Porth Meudwy to Porthor Coast Path: Expect push-bike on footpath through steep slate gullies.
3. Cliff-top Singletrack: Rugged tracks reward with Bardsey Island panoramas.
4. Mynydd Rhiw Bridleway Descent: Fast gravel off-camber descent past old copper workings.
5. Llanlleiana Valley Return: Quiet farm lanes, wildflower-lined hedgerows.

Detailed Route

• Park at Aberdaron and set off west on the A499 for 500 m before picking up the coastal footpath toward Porth Meudwy. Note: cycling prohibited on some sections—dismount and push through the narrow gorge.
• At Porthor, join the bridleway skirt around the headland, then climb to the high path for sweeping sea views.
• Descend via a mix of grass track and slippery slate onto the B4413; retrace briefly then branch onto the singletrack above Pentywyn Farm, ascending to the summit ridge above Carn Fadryn (optional detour +250 m gain).
• Return via the old farm track to Llanlleiana, then follow valley lanes back to Aberdaron.

Ride Report
• Tire Pressure: Front 32 psi | Rear 34 psi
• Weather: Overcast, occasional sun, 15 °C, SW breeze 8 km/h
• Duration: 4 h including two push sections and lunch in Aberdaron

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Route Rating
• Scenery: 4.5/5
• Challenge: 3/5
• Safety: 4.5/5

Overview
• Distance: ~42 km
• Elevation Gain: ~500 m
• Terrain: Coastal byways, old railway path, quiet village roads, tidal estuary tracks

Highlights

1. Conwy Quay Start: Historic castle backdrop.
2. Little Orme Bridleway: Gravel lane zig-zags up the headland.
3. Porth Eirias Marshes: Soft tidal track—bikepacking fun at low tide.
4. Penmaenmawr Quarry Spur: Smooth quarry haul road with sea views.
5. Sychnant Pass Gravel Descent: Return to Conwy via rural lanes.

Detailed Route

• Begin at Conwy Railway Bridge, follow the old railway path past the RSPB reserve onto the seafront.
• At the roundabout, turn north onto the signed Little Orme bridleway, climbing through gorse to reach the summit trig for panorama over the Conwy Estuary.
• Swing inland onto a farm byway down to Porth Eirias, then time your tide to skirt the marsh track.
• Re-join asphalt to Penmaenmawr, then hop onto the old quarry haul road (unsigned gravel) heading west.
• At Capelulo, dive off onto the Sychnant Pass bridle lane for a rollicking gravel descent back into Conwy town.

Ride Report
• Tire Pressure: Front 28 psi | Rear 30 psi
• Weather: Bright, 16 °C, light NE wind 6 km/h
• Duration: 2 h 30 min with cafe stop at Coffi Conwy

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North Wales’ coast is dotted with unrecorded byways and bridle paths just waiting for gravel bikes. These three loops scratch the surface—every headland, estuary, and disused track deserves a carpet of tyre marks. If you ride one of these, drop your GPX in the Carter’s Cafe Spin Strava group and join me every Wednesday at 6 pm GMT for our east-coast group spin, where we tackle a surprise gravel gem each week.

Happy exploring, and may your gravel stays fresh and your horizons endless! 🚴‍♂️