TAL-Y-LLYN PASS

MINFFORDD, GWYNEDD

Surrounded by towering peaks, riding past glistening glacial lakes along silky smooth tarmac set on a succulent 6% slope, you could well be in the foothills of the French Alps. This is Wales though, and the wonderful Tal-y-lyn Pass that kicks up from the Mwyngil Lake and which traces the southern edge of the huge Cadair Idris mountain. The A487 enters the north of the flat valley then climbs out of the basin as you pass a large, solitary white house on the left. Once through the trees, the scenery is instantly dramatic; find a comfortable gear, sit back, and soak up the views as you head towards a giant V on the horizon formed by interlocking hills. There is a slight twist left and right early on, but after that it’s arrow straight and uniformly steep all the way to where the V dissipates. This isn’t the top though – keep pushing, the real summit is just around the corner up ahead.