Cycling UK unveil new gravel bikepacking route in North Wales, UK

Cycling UK, a cycling charity in the United Kingdom, has unveiled a new bikepacking route in North Wales. The route, called the Traws Eryri (Trans Snowdonia) is a 196km route through the Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri (formerly known as the Snowdonia National Park in English). This is the latest addition to a growing collection of gravel and mountain bike routes set up by Cycling UK since 2018.

The route features 4,424m of climbing, and is described by Cycling UK as "a route for the adventurous", intended for "competent riders on special off-road bikes". The route combines a range of existing mountain bike trails via new tracks. It's taken three years to reach this point. The charity has worked closely with local authorities, communities and landowners to secure access to new trails.

Now, the route can be added to the growing collection of off-road routes enjoyed by UK cyclists. Since 2018, Cycle UK has established the North Downs Way, the Great North Trail, King Alfred's Way, the Kernow Way, the Cantii Way, and the Rebellion Way.

Read more: How to get started bikepacking

Sarah Mitchell, Cycling UK chief executive, said: “North Wales is arguably the adventure capital of Britain and has some fantastic mountain biking trail centres. With Traws Eryri, we wanted to inspire people to venture beyond the forest and explore more of the National Park in a sustainable, active way."

John Taylor, NRW’s North West Wales team leader for recreation, added: “We are pleased to have launched the Traws Eryri route in collaboration with Cycling UK. This is a fantastic, collaborative project with our local knowledge shaping a really great, sustainable tourism project.

"The route connects existing mountain bike trail centres with an off-road cycle route, blending the best of public rights of way and existing tracks to offer a longer-distance, wilder-feeling cycling route."

It seems likely that this new route will become just as popular as the other routes set up by Cycling UK in recent years, which see riders flock to them on summer weekends. For cyclists, and for local economies, this new route is something to celebrate.