How To Travel The Miner’s Track in Snowdonia
Wales, europe
5.14 km
757 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure time! If you find yourself in beautiful Snowdonia, Wales, and you've got a serious 4x4, you HAVE to check out the Miner's Track. Forget pavement; this is a proper rocky, unpaved adventure that winds its way between the Glyderau and Snowdon ranges. Private vehicles aren't allowed, so you'll need to find alternative transport.
Trust me, the views are worth it! Think shimmering lakes like Llyn Teyrn, Llyn Glaslyn, and Llyn Llydaw stretched out beneath you. This historic track, originally built for the Britannia Copper Mines, is steeped in history.
The 5.14km (3.2 miles) of rugged road starts from the car park and climbs to 757m (2,483ft), ending near Pyg Track, though the last little bit is on foot. Just imagine: epic mountain scenery, Arthurian legends swirling in the air, and a truly unforgettable off-road experience!
Where is it?
How To Travel The Miner’s Track in Snowdonia is located in Wales (europe). Coordinates: 54.2225, -1.9091
Road Details
- Country
- Wales
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.14 km
- Max Elevation
- 757 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 54.2225, -1.9091
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving the 5 most scenic roads of Wales
🇬🇧 Wales
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! Wales is calling! First up: the Black Mountain Road in Brecon Beacons National Park. Trust me, these 5 miles are pure driving bliss – twists, dips, climbs, the whole shebang! Or, cruise past Blaenavon iron works with Pen y Fan views on a chill drive along the Brecon Beacons' southern edge. Feeling brave? Tackle the "Devil's Staircase" from Tregaron to Llyn Brianne reservoir. Hairpin alert! We're talking bends, straights, bridges, crests and views for days. Oh, and keep an eye out for the local sheep! For an epic traverse, venture through Coed-y-Brenin Forest and scale the Oerddrws Pass in the Cambrian Mountains. You'll climb 1,170ft to the summit on this long Welsh road. It's bleak, it's beautiful! Lastly, soak up the vistas near Capel Curig in northern Snowdonia National Park. You HAVE to see the "Ugly House" past Swallows Falls. Legend says a goblin with a seriously warped sense of humour built it!
hardIs the road to Alto de San Miguel de Aralar paved?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're in Navarre, Spain, itching for an adventure. Head toward the Aralar mountain chain (practically the foothills of the Pyrenees!), and get ready for Alto de San Miguel de Aralar. This climb kicks off near Uharte-Arakil, and it's a solid 11.5 km push to the 1,233m summit. The road? Fully paved, but hold up – it's mostly concrete, which can be a bit slippery. Get ready for a consistent workout! You're looking at an average gradient of 6.72% with sections hitting a max of 14.2% right at the top! We're talking 773 meters of climbing, so pace yourself. While there aren’t any crazy-steep sections, it's relentlessly tough, with many kilometers hovering above 9%. The payoff? Epic. At the top sits the historic San Miguel de Áralar sanctuary (aka San Miguel in Excelsis), with views that stretch across the Arakil corridor, San Donato, and the Urbasa and Andia ranges. Trust me, the scenery alone is worth the effort!
hardHow difficult is the Chemin Garcia?
🇫🇷 France
Nestled high in the French Pyrénées-Orientales, you'll find the hidden gem that is Estany de la Coma d'en Garcia, a glacial lake sitting pretty at 2,303m (7,555ft)! Think dramatic, alpine escape in a truly wild setting. The adventure unfolds along Chemin Garcia, winding through a pristine valley renowned for its rugged beauty and towering granite cliffs. Expect that classic high Pyrenean vibe – think sparse vegetation, rocky terrain, and knockout views of surrounding peaks, like the impressive Pic Einar. Because it's high up and facing north, this area is often draped in snow for a good chunk of the year, which makes it feel both dramatic and remote. Now, about the road itself: Chemin Garcia is a lengthy, unpaved mountain track near Porté-Puymorens, France. You'll need a vehicle with good ground clearance. It's seriously steep, gaining 344 meters in elevation. Expect an average gradient of around 9%, with some sections even steeper! This one's definitely for experienced drivers comfortable with high-mountain shelf roads. The surface can be rough, with loose stones and potentially muddy patches if it's rained recently. When to go? Winter makes it totally impassable, and snow often lingers until late spring or early summer. Your best bet is between July and September. Keep in mind this is a super remote area with hardly any traffic, so being self-sufficient is key. If you're not confident navigating unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. But if you're up for the challenge, the reward is the tranquil silence of Estany de la Coma d'en Garcia – one of the region's best-kept secrets!
moderateD8 Coastal Road (Jadranska Magistrala)
🇭🇷 Croatia
The D8—locals call it the Jadranska Magistrala or Adriatic Highway—is basically Croatia's poster child for coastal drives. This legendary 650-kilometer stretch connects Rijeka up north all the way down to Dubrovnik, and honestly, it's been turning heads since the 1960s when it was built. The entire route hugs the eastern Adriatic shore like it was designed by someone who really wanted you to see the water. We're talking rocky coves, pine-covered headlands, and those jaw-dropping ancient walled towns scattered throughout. On one side you've got the sparkling sea dotted with islands, and on the other, the dramatic Dinaric Alps just looming there. You'll drive through some seriously iconic spots: Zadar with its island-studded views, Split with its incredible Diocletian's Palace, the Makarska Riviera overshadowed by the massive Biokovo mountain, and eventually Dubrovnik's legendary walls. The road itself is in great condition, but here's the real talk—summer is absolute peak season and things get genuinely crowded, especially around Split and Dubrovnik. If you're flexible on timing, shoulder season is definitely your friend. Oh, and if you want to island-hop? No problem. Ferries connect the main road to Croatia's countless islands, so you've got options to mix things up along the way.