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Machynlleth Clock Tower – Lake Vyrnwy Dam loop from Foel

Machynlleth Clock Tower – Lake Vyrnwy Dam loop from Foel

Hard

riders

Machynlleth Clock Tower – Lake Vyrnwy Dam loop from Foel

05:57

119km

1,890m

Road cycling

Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 21, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

35.0 km

Machynlleth Clock Tower

Highlight • Settlement

Machynlleth is a small town that's guaranteed to have more sheep than inhabitants. It's quite peaceful here, but the village still has a lot to offer. In the centre, beautiful buildings, cosy restaurants and interesting, alternative shops are waiting for you.

The area is inspiring. Just outside the town is the small summer house where Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are said to have written some songs for their band Led Zeppelin.

There are plenty of hotels and a campsite nearby.

Tip by

37.3 km

Afon Dulas Climb

Highlight (Segment) • Climb

"Alpine" style climb with great views on the way up and at the top.

Tip by

52.1 km

Dylife Gorge Viewpoint

Highlight • Gorge

The Dylife Gorge is a stunning valley in Mid Wales with the River Twymyn carving through its hills. It was formed during the last Ice Age. The viewpoint offers an amazing view over the gorge.

Tip by

88.5 km

Bwlch y Groes

Highlight (Segment) • Mountain Pass

The second highest public road mountain pass in Wales this is definitely one to tick off the cycling bucket list. It is narrow and winding so it is recommended to pick a quiet time to cycle up since the stunning views often attract motorists to drive the climb.

The climb is almost 3km long with some quad burning gradients right to the last meter. It may not be for beginners or after a large meal but it is worth a bit of awkward hobbling in cleats to see what waits at the top.

Tip by

91.5 km

Bwlch y Groes

Mountain Pass

91.5 km

Bwlch y Groes Climb from Lake Vyrnwy

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Climbed it 30 odd years ago........with young fit legs!! Recently descended it in heavy rain with bike packing gear - makes for a bottom clenching descent - exercise caution at the bottom, there's a tight left hand bend, beware!!

Tip by

104 km

View of the Straining Tower at Lake Vyrnwy

Highlight • Monument

Some great views along this part of the road, well worth a visit.

Tip by

105 km

Lake Vyrnwy Dam

Highlight • Monument

This is brilliant peice of architecture thats still in use today, you can feel the sheer power of the flow of water down the dam one side, and the peace and tranquility of the lake the other.

Tip by

105 km

Lake Vyrnwy Dam

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

The dam across the Vyrnwy Valley, Montgomeryshire, was the first large masonry dam, and was completed in 1888. Water from the reservoir supplies Liverpool, travelling there along a 70 mile aqueduct.

They have a bike hire and cafe in the car part. You can hire a bike to ride around the lake the road surface is great with some spectacular views of the lake and dam.

The dam at Lake Vyrnwy is often associated with practice bombing runs for Operation Chastise in The Second World War. Better known as the “Dambusters” raid, Lancasters of 617 Squadron breached the German Möhne and Eder dams and damaged the Sorpe dam in May 1943. However, the association with Lake Vyrnwy seems to be something of a local myth as the dam was never actually used for this purpose. So where did this story originate? It seems that at least one scene in the famous 1955 film, “The Dambusters” was shot at Lake Vyrnwy leading to the mistaken belief that the wartime RAF Lancaster bomber crews practiced there.

Tip by

119 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

98.8 km

16.1 km

1.71 km

1.48 km

929 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

116 km

2.97 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (540 m)

Lowest point (10 m)

Weather

Monday 13 July

26°C

11°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 23.0 km/h

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Machynlleth Clock Tower – Lake Vyrnwy Dam loop from Foel

Machynlleth Clock Tower

Afon Dulas Climb

Dylife Gorge Viewpoint

Bwlch y Groes

Bwlch y Groes Climb from Lake Vyrnwy

View of the Straining Tower at Lake Vyrnwy

Lake Vyrnwy Dam

Lake Vyrnwy Dam

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