
Driving the scenic yet challenging A496 road in Snowdonia
Wales, europe
53.1 km
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to Snowdonia, Wales, for a spin on the A496! This fully paved beauty stretches for about 33 miles (53 km) from Llanelltyd up to Blaenau Ffestiniog, offering some seriously stunning scenery.
Now, don't let the pretty views fool you. This road, nestled in Gwynedd, is rumored to be one of the trickiest in the UK! With twists and turns galore, you'll need to keep your eyes on the asphalt. It's easy to get distracted by the amazing coastal vistas, rugged mountains, and charming villages you'll be cruising through. Those views come at a price though —this road demands respect, and a lapse in concentration could land you in trouble.
Give yourself about an hour to an hour and ten minutes to soak it all in. The route is a visual feast! You'll pass through quaint villages, enjoy breathtaking coastal panoramas, and navigate through mountainous terrain, including the majestic Blaenau Ffestiniog region, not to mention crossing two estuaries along the beautiful Cambrian Coast. It's a drive you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
Driving the scenic yet challenging A496 road in Snowdonia is located in Wales (europe). Coordinates: 53.2775, -2.4443
Road Details
- Country
- Wales
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 53.1 km
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 53.2775, -2.4443
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