Moody mountain range crossing in North Wales — Traws Eryri

When offered the opportunity to ride Cycling UK's new Traws Eryri bikepacking route - some three years in the making - on the way to the official launch in Conwy I left at the chance. I'd been lucky enough to join press trips for both the King Alfred's Way and West Kernow Way, but had a date clash for this one last year, so I was thrilled to get the opportunity to sample this 200 kilometre (125 mile) route across North Wales before it went public.The Traws Eryri is unlike most of Cycling UK's other long distance bikepacking routes. For starters, it's the only route they've made in conjunction with another party - in this case Natural Resources Wales, but it is very much designed with mountain bikes in mind, rather than gravel bikes. While great swathes of it are certainly rideable on a gravel bike, the rocky, rough surfaces do take a toll over multiple days of riding, and wide-ranging MTB gearing is a real win over the many sharp climbs along the way.You'll notice that there are a few footpaths along the route. This is no accident; Cycling UK and Natural Resources Wales have worked tirelessly to secure landowner permissions for these so you can ride the whole route, linking up great off-road sections and keeping you off some of the busier main roads. The route is still evolving as further permissions are hopefully granted in the near future. For the latest iteration and GPX file, visit: cyclinguk.org/traws-eryriTo reach the beginning and end of this A to B route, I'd recommend getting the train to Shrewsbury. From here, you can reach either end of the route in Machynlleth and Conwy. Sam, Tudor and I camped on our first night on the edge of the Mawddach Trail at the brilliant Graig Wen campsite and glamping, then spent the following two nights in bunkhouses in Trawsfyndd (Cross Foxes Inn) and Betws Y Coed (Vagabond Bunkhouse). All highly recommended and bike friendly!Four days was a good duration for us, allowing us plenty of time to stop in cafes, play in the trail centre skills areas and mosey around historic sites. You could certainly do it in three days, though if that were me, I'd probably ditch the camping kit and aim to stay at a bunkhouse or B&B each night to lighten the load.Photos by Sam Voaden.