THE GRAN FONDO CONWY 2017 - WHAT TO EXPECT...

Snowdonia National Park may take all the plaudits for scenery and breathtaking landscapes in North Wales (and there’s a sportive for that too), but there’s much more to the area than colossal mountain ranges. The Gran Fondo Conwy aims to show you the lesser known areas of North Wales, featuring the beautiful towns, and stunning vistas that make up the counties of Conwy and Denbighshire. Here's a little taste of what’s on your Gran Fondo Conwy route.

Conwy

Your start and finish for the Gran Fondo Conwy is the iconic walled town of Conwy. You’ll head off on your journey from Conwy quay, under the shadow of the UNESCO World Heritage Site that is Conwy Castle. There’s much more to Conwy than just the castle though, we recommend making a weekend of this beautiful town.

Great Orme and Llandudno

Your first ‘stop’ on the Gran Fondo Conwy is the world famous victorian seaside resort town of Llandudno and its mighty Great Orme headland. Your journey around the Orme is very exclusive, this is only time you go around it clockwise and on closed roads. This section of the route is called ‘Storm the Orme’ and gives you an opportunity to challenge yourself against the clock.

Llanrwst

After all three routes meet just outside Llanddoged, you’ll come across the historic market town of Llanrwst. The town, famous for its harp and clock making, is hugely rich in Welsh history and is famous around the world for its bridge which crosses the river Conwy and the accompanying Tu Hwnt I’r Bont tearooms.

Dolgarrog

The road through Dolgarrog is your home stretch to the finish line - but it is home to something incredible. On the site of a former aluminium factory is the Europe’s largest artificial surf lagoon - Surf Snowdonia! This is definitely one to make a mental not to return to once you’ve finished!

St Asaph (Canol & Mawr)

St. Asaph is the second smallest city in the UK (can you guess the first?*), and surrounded by the gorgeous landscape that makes up the Vale of Clwyd.

*It’s St. David's in Pembrokeshire.

Ruthin (Mawr)

A huge reward for riders on the Mawr route, is the beautiful County town of Ruthin. Situated on a hill in the southern parts of the Vale of Clwyd, Ruthin offers breathtaking views of the local landscapes, including Moel Famau and its ‘Millennium Tower’.

Llyn Brenig (Mawr)

The southern tip of the Mawr routes skirts the Llyn Brenig reservoir, deep in the heart of the Denbigh Moors. Llyn Brenig is the fourth largest lake in Wales, behind Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake), Llyn Trawsfynydd and Lake Vyrnwy. The lake has a perimeter of approximately 9 miles.

Entries are open now for the Gran Fondo Conwy 2017. To find out more about the routes, please visit the event page here.