If arriving by car, the meet-up point for this trip is Conwy, where we end our journey a week later and where you’ll be able to leave your vehicle for the duration on the trip. Planned arrival time is early afternoon, allowing us sufficient time to reach the town of Macynlleth by early evening. For those wishing to travel by train, you may either arrive into Conwy, in which case we will collect you and transfer you to Macchynlleth, or you can arrive directly into Macynlleth and meet us at the accommodation which is a short walk, ride or taxi journey from the train station.

After checking-in, you will have the chance to get to know your guides and your fellow riders a little more during the evening meal and during which we’ll discuss the riding days to come.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 945 Metres Approx

After getting set up on the bikes, we set off on today’s loop ride on the Mach Trails. These trails are well-known in the UK mountain biking scene for their natural feel, stunning scenery, and variety of riding options. It’s a great first day to get a feel for what this region has to offer, as we ride a mix of steep gravel climbs and flowy single-track descents in a natural wilderness with stunning scenery.

After getting set up on our bikes, we start today’s loop ride from the hotel up a gradual climb on quiet roads and slate-strewn tracks, before the first descent of the day takes us down an exciting grassy trail which turns to a steep single-track path to our morning coffee break. We’ll continue to ride between valleys and onto ridges with breath-taking views over the Plynlimon mountains to the south, as we reach our highest point of the day at 300m / 1000ft.

After our lunch stop we’ll make a final foray back onto the remote forest tracks this afternoon and end our loop with a fun single-track descent back down to Machynlleth. At 36km (23 miles), it’s a relatively short day, but the punchy climbs and a few technical descents will mean you’ve certainly earned yourself a pint this evening, and the rest of the day is yours to explore the historic town, before we start the Traws Eryri in earnest tomorrow.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 905 Metres Approx

We wave goodbye to Mach this morning and start our ride north on quiet roads, following the course of the Dulas River, rising gradually to Corris. We then descend onto an old lane behind Llyn Mwyngil (Tal-y-llyn Lake) and continue to Abergynolwyn. We ride deeper into the wild heart of North Wales on a short section of fun, muddy, single track along a stream before joining quiet country lanes, which wind through the landscape beneath the imposing presence of Cadair Idris.

After lunch, a steady off-road climb takes us up an alpine style singletrack road. As we ascend the Ffordd Ddu, we pass Bronze Age hut circles and ancient standing stones; a route steeped in history and natural beauty. The reward at the top is a breathtaking view over Barmouth Bay, as Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park comes into view for the first time.

We soon descend an exciting rocky track through the National Trust Estate to the twin lakes of Llynnau Cregennen before the track turns to road and we continue to descend until we reach sea level at Arthog.

The final stint to the accommodation is a contrast to the rest of the day’s ride, as we take the flat National Cycle Network route along the Mawddach Trail and take in the expansive views of the tidal salt marsh on our run into Penmaenpool on the south side of the historic toll bridge, which is a picturesque spot to relax and unwind.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 910 Metres Approx

After breakfast this morning, there isn’t too much time to warm up for the first climb, but it’s worth it for the beautiful streams and scenic forest we’ll be riding through. We start by crossing the Grade II listed Penmaenpool Toll Bridge across the River Mawddach, before the very steep climb up the lower Wynach Valley.

Tarmac gives way to gravel tracks, as we continue to wind our way up to the remote lake of Llyn Cwm-mynach, through pine forests and onto open moorland, before swinging east and down a fast, flowing gravel track and onto a cheeky section of single track which pops us out at the Coed y Brenin trail centre, for a well-earned coffee and slice of cake. Our route diverts off the official Traws Eryri route here for a short while, as we take in some extra sweeping blue and red trails from Coed y Brenin – it would be rude not to!

We rejoin the Sarn Helen Roman Road up a forest fire track before things get steep and rocky and you’ll do well to make the entire climb without getting off. The views from the top spanning over towards the wild Rhinog mountain range are truly spectacular! We descend to the impressive Llyn Trawsfynydd for lunch and ride an undulating scenic lap around the reservoir, before our final section takes us up a National Cycle Network traffic-free trail through woodland to our hotel for the night in Maentwrog – a quiet village nestled in the heart of Snowdonia.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 1330 Metres Approx

We’ll likely make an earlier start this morning, as today is the longest and hilliest, but arguably also the most epic day on the bike. We start with a long, gradual on-road climb, passing through the slate mining community of Llan Ffestiniog, and ascend to almost 500m (1600ft) above sea level, before we are rewarded with a scenic descent down into Penmachno. We then head off road and up onto the remote Penmachno forest trails, where the terrain becomes more varied and exciting, as we switch between forest tracks, rooty single tracks and volunteer-maintained MTB trails, which wind their way through this dense area of forest to today’s lunch stop.

We drop down to the River Lledr, passing the 16th Century farmhouse of Ty Mawr Wybrnant, the birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, the first translator of the Bible into Welsh. We pick up the Sarn Helen again soon after here, and after a short stint on a busy road, we ride up a steep gravel track to the beauty spot of Llyn Elsi reservoir above Betws-y-Coed. From here, it’s a fast, flowing descent into the bustling alpine-style village of Betws y Coed, on the River Conwy.

With just one final climb remaining, we leave the crowds behind and ascend gradually on quiet lanes and easy-going unpaved trails, running parallel to the A5. Our destination is the tranquil mountain village of Capel Curig, where we’ll rest up after another epic day in the saddle.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch
• Ascent: 780 Metres Approx

Our final day is an absolute stunner, showcasing a bit of everything — from dramatic mountain landscapes to sweeping coastal views, and some unforgettable riding in between! Starting from Capel Curig, a short climb takes us to the Nant Ffrancon glacial valley, with incredible views across the Ogwen Valley. Towering on one side are the peaks of Carnedd Dafydd, while Tryfan and the Glyders dominate the other. This morning’s off-road ride along the Las Ogwen cycle path and onwards to the Snowdonia Slate Trail has an almost otherworldly feel, as we ride past towering slate pyramids and the ghostly remains of old mines. We continue our ride down into Bethesda for coffee — once a mining hub, now better known as home to Europe’s longest zipline.

Leaving Bethesda, you’ll notice a dramatic change in landscape, as dry-stone walls border the twisting country lanes, and mountain views give way to coastal views of the Menai Strait towards Anglesey. We’ll stop for lunch around the village of Abergwyngregyn, just a stone’s throw from the sea. However, the journey’s not over just yet as we turn inland once more, skirting Llanfairfechan and up onto lesser-explored trails. With panoramic views over the coast and back towards Eryri, a tough climb up a bridleway soon leads us on a rollercoaster romp over moorland grazed by sheep and ponies along criss-crossing trails. Our final stretch hugs the shoulder of the imposing Conwy Mountain, before a grin-inducing descent takes us down into the historic walled town of Conwy and our finish point at the medieval castle. In the evening, we’ll gather for a final meal and a drink or two as we’ll share stories, raise a glass, and toast the completion of this epic 240 km (150 mile) mountain biking adventure across North Wales.

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast we return to our vehicles, and for those catching the train we’ll transfer you to Conwy station at 09.30 for trains departing from 10:00 onwards.