It had been a wet finish when entering Porthmadog at the end of our Day 3 cycle ride. Thankfully, when we left for today’s ride from Porthmadog to Bala, the skies were looking more promising. Just as well, for this was going to be the toughest day on our Mid Wales tour, with plenty of climbing.

Picking up NCN Route 8 again, we headed back across the cob passing the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway again.

This time, we were able to admire the views out over the estuary.

We soon rejoined NCN Route 82.

After passing through a few small villages, our first major climb took us up the hills around Rhyd.

A little further on was Tan-y-Bwlch station on the Ffestiniog Railway line.

We decided to take a look and have a cuppa.

We left Tan-y-Bwlch station and passed Llyn Mair.

There was a sharp climb at Maentwrog.

We continued to climb the hills.

Then in the distance Trawsfynydd nucleaar power station.

The power station sits on the side of Llyn Trawsfynydd.

We had stayed in the village of Trawsfynydd on our Lon Las Cymru tour.

Further climbs followed until we made our way up the side of Pig Idris. At the top of this hill we took our lunch break. 

After lunch, with the sun now beating down, we left NCN Route 82 and instead followed local route 13.

It followed Afon Gain.

Then brought us to our main climb of the day, up Ffridd Dilcon and to Bwlch Pen-y-feidiog.

Of course, the views at the top were fabulous.

Having reached the top, it was followed by a swooping downhill.

There were more fantastic views.

This eventually brought us to the village of LLanuwchllyn.

And a few miles on Llyn Tegid came into view. 

At the end of Llyn Tegid is the town of Bala, our destination.

Today, we had cycled 35 miles and done a lot of climbing. It was the last of our hilly days. Tomorrow should be a little easier!

You can view our Porthmadog to Bala route below:

Tomorrow we are off to Llangollen.