Someone on the N Wales MTB forum recommended the experts on here might be able to help me out with a little route planning dilemma...

After doing Wales N to S coast mtb route last year and having a great time, am now trying to sort out a route for a shorter trip from Chester (home..) going west (via Betsw) and looking for some info (hopefully!) particularly for bit between Ruthin and Betws. Looking to keep it interesting, taking in any decent single track on the way and keeping off road as much as possible (without it getting silly!) Got the bit from Chester to Ruthin sorted I know that bit - doing the up and over route through Clwyds which is a regular favourite.

Most obvious route on from there is up to Brenig via the "Up to The Lake" or similar, but I think this is mainly forest gravel road. I know there is other good riding in Clocaenog having done some ages ago (and totally forgotten where it is). Anyone got any suggestions of a more interesting route that would start Ruthin side of Clocaenog and finish on other side somewhere (maybe to link up to track to Llyn Aled). Even if it means just adding a few loops of better stuff and getting back on forest road.

Also, any ideas from route on from there - the map looks like track up to Llyn Aled, a mile or so of footpath push, and track down from Llyn Alwen to Pentrefoelas might be a goer to avoid road, but I have not been to this area so have no idea or if there is a better way (other than A543!).

Could be the whole concept is fundamentally flawed, but from the map it looks tantalisingly close to a goer.

Any advice would be vaguely exciting, Thanks!

Joe

Something along the lines of a circuit in Brenig (approach from the east side near Clocaenog) and Alwen (anti-clockwise around the latter) dropping down to Cefn Brith - across the A5 and Glasfryn - single track road south for a few kms - turn west heading for Bwlch y Pentre - down to Ysbyty Yfan heading WNW crossing the valley then up and over to Penmachno on the old drove roads.
Then a loop around however much of Penmachno you fancy either dropping down off Loop 2 to Betws directish or round more and down to Dolwyddelan and over Sarn Helen to Betws or round Lyn Elsi and drop straight into the Middle of Betws behind the church.... not masses of single track but would get you far away from the madding crowds - can drop you a GPX of the Brenig/Alwen loop if you PM me a mail address.