In the latest issue of Adventure Bike Rider, we packed up our motorcycle luggage and headed into deepest, darkest Wales to ride a two-day route we’ve called The Spine of the Dragon.
The aim was to get as remote and wild as possible while sticking mostly to the tarmac through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK.
As weekend motorcycle adventures go, it was up there with the best. The journey saw us exploring the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, which included riding the highest road in Wales, the Gospel Pass. We then travelled through Mid Wales, deep into the Elan Valley, riding one of the UK’s most scenic green lanes, and crossing the Cambrian mountains, before riding practically alongside fighter jets through the Mach Loop.
We finished our adventure in the shadow of the highest mountain in Wales, Snowdon, in Eryri National Park.
You can watch the video we made of the full route below, and read on to find the SatNav waypoints and GPX so you can ride it yourself.
THE SPINE OF THE DRAGON
You can read the full description of the route in the latest issue of Adventure Bike Rider magazine, which is available here. Not only will you get two brilliant UK routes to ride this weekend, you’ll also get a wealth of bike and gear reviews, adventure biking travel stories from around the world, masterclasses, interviews, and much more.
If you want to ride the Spine of the Dragon route in Wales, plug these waypoints into your SatNav device to follow as near as dammit the route.
There’s a few, and some are rather remote, so we’d recommend looking at a map before you set off to get an idea of where you’re going.
Day 1
- The Old Ferry Inn, Beachley Road, Chepstow, NP16 7HH
- Tintern Abbey, A466, NP16 6SE
- Bigsweir Bridge, Monmouth NP25 4TS
- Rockfield Road, Monmouth, NP25 5ST
- Gospel Pass Car Park, Capel-y-ffin, NP7 7NP
- Lady Milford’s Bridge, Llanstephan, Builth Wells LD2 3TQ,
- Llangynog, Builth Wells LD2 3HX
- B4519, Garth, Llangammarch Wells, LD4 4BN
- Elan Valley Visitor Centre, Elan Valley, LD6 5HP
- Elan Valley, LD6 5HS
- Pont Ar Elan, Elan Valley, LD6
- Pen y Garreg Bridge, LD6 5HS
- Craig Goch Dam, LD6 5HS
- Cwmystwyth, SY23 4AD
- Devil’s Bridge, SY23 3JW
Day 2
- Elvis Rock, Eisteddfa Gurig, Aberystwyth SY23 3LE
- Pant Mawr, SY18 6SY
- Old Hall, Llanidloes, SY18 6NY
- Staylittle, Llanbrynmair SY19 7BZ
- Forge Road, Machynlleth, SY20 8RY
- Corris Uchaf, SY20 9BE
- Cross Foxes Inn, Dolgellau LL40 2SG
- Station Rd, Bala LL23 7NG
- Fronwynion St, Trawsfynydd, LL41 4UN
- Beddgelert, LL55 4YB (A498)
- Dinas Emrys, Beddgelert, Caernarfon LL55 4NE
- Pen-y-Pass, LL55 4NW
- Ger Y Llyn Car Park, Llanberis, LL55 4TY
You can also download the GPX file for the route by clicking here.
Enjoy the ride.
