Porth Penrhyn Harbour – Old Railway Tunnel loop from Bethesda

Porth Penrhyn Harbour – Old Railway Tunnel loop from Bethesda

Easy

5.0

(3)

riders

Porth Penrhyn Harbour – Old Railway Tunnel loop from Bethesda

00:55

18.9km

250m

Road cycling

Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 20, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 7.29 km for 126 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

7.35 km

Bangor Waterfront

Highlight • River

A small university town in the North of Wales. With plenty of quirky cafes and coffee shops as well as the standard high street chains it has something for every budget and fuelling requirement. Cycling through over summer was particularly quiet as it was abandoned by the univeristy students over the summer holidays.

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9.28 km

Porth Penrhyn

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here you cross the mouth of the Cegin River into the Menai Strait. Here is Port Penrhyn, once a vital port for the export of slate from the Penrhyn Quarry, the largest slate quarry in the world at the end of the nineteenth century. The quarry and the harbour were connected by the Penrhyn Quarry Railway.
This is also the starting point of the Snowdownia Slait Trail, a 134km loop that leads hikers through the history of the slate industry.

Translated by Google •

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9.43 km

Porth Penrhyn Harbour

Highlight • Structure

Just outside of Bangor, Porth Penrhyn is a pretty harbour on the edge of the Menai Strait. You'll find fishing boats and coastal freight ships moored up here along the dockside as well as lovely views across the water.

This harbour has been in use since the 18th century at least and a railway was built from Bethesda to carry slate down to the ships.

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11.7 km

Ford Crossing with Footbridge

Highlight • Bridge

The ford can be crossed using the footbridge. The road leading down to the ford from the old rail bridge side is steep. There is also access to a cycle path that runs alongside the river.

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11.9 km

Bangor to Tregarth Railway Path

Highlight (Segment) • Cycleway

Old railway path converted into a bike path. Goes from the South of Bangor down to Tregarth. The surface is compact gravel so perfect for even the fanciest road bikes. Nice to escape the roads for a bit.

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16.5 km