Lôn Eifion

53°08′42″N 4°16′08″W / 53.145°N 4.269°W / 53.145; -4.269

Tarmac cycle route and parallel narrow-gauge railway track separated by a wire fence
Lôn Eifion route next to the Welsh Highland Railway

Lôn Eifion is a cycle route in Gwynedd, Wales. It is 20 km (12 miles) long and runs from Caernarfon to Bryncir. The entire route is traffic-free and it forms part of part of Lôn Las Cymru (National Cycle Route 8).[1]

History

Lôn Eifion runs along most of the former Carnarvonshire Railway route, which linked Caernarfon to Afon Wen on the Cambrian Coast Line.[2]: 17–18  The railway closed in December 1964 and the trackbed between the Afon Seiont and Afon Wen was bought by Carnarvonshire County Council in 1968, later passing to Gwynedd Council on its creation in 1974.[2]: 21–22  In 1976 a tarmac road was built on the section between Llanwnda and Cefn Graianog for use by lorries taking aggregates from a nearby quarry to the construction of Dinorwig Power Station. When this use ended in 1983 the tarmac road became a cycle route, and a new surface was also provided over the section from Caernarfon to Llanwnda.[2]: 22 [3]: 6–7 

Route

From Caernarfon to Dinas the Lôn Eifion runs alongside the Welsh Highland Railway, which since reopening in 1997 has also used the former Carnarvonshire Railway trackbed.[4] From Dinas the route continues southwards, passing the Inigo Jones Slate Works at Groeslon,[3]: 148–149  to its highest point at Penygroes.[5] The southern end of the route is at the site of the former Brynkir railway station, where the platforms and water tower can still be seen and there is a small car park.[3]: 148–149  National Cycle Route 8 continues from Bryncir on minor roads towards Criccieth.[5] Walkers can take the Lôn Goed path from near Bryncir to the coast at Afon Wen.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Price, John (1999). Cycling without Traffic: Wales. Dial House. pp. 38–43. ISBN 0711026459. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Vinter, Jeff (1994). Railway Walks: Wales. Alan Sutton Publishing. ISBN 0750901411. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Holland, Julian (2010). The Lost Lines of Britain. AA Publishing. ISBN 978 0 7495 6630 2. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  4. ↑ Holland, Julian (2008). Discovering Britain's Little Trains. AA Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 978 07495 58673. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
  5. 1 2 Cycling in the UK. AA Publishing. 2009. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-7495-7156-6. Retrieved 20 June 2026.
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