A496 road
Encyclopedia
The A496 is a major coastal and mountainous road in southern Snowdonia
.
The road is 32.8 miles in length, from Blaenau Ffestiniog
to Llanelltyd
, via Harlech
. The original northern terminus of the road before A470 re-numbering was Llandudno
. The road passes through a diverse landscape, including the mountainous region of Blaenau Ffestiniog, two estuaries, and the Cambrian Coast.
before descending towards the Vale of Ffestiniog
along the course of Afon Goedol. The road passes through the village of Maentwrog
, before crossing Afon Prysor near the Ceunant Llennyrch National Nature Reserve
.
The road follows the southern banks of the River Dwyryd
, before reaching the Cardigan Bay
coast at Talsarnau
. The road runs alongside the Cambrian Line
railway for much of the coast route, bypassing Harlech
before ascending inland via the villages of Llanbedr, Llanfair and Dyffryn Ardudwy. The road returns to the coast at Llanaber, before the semi-urban stretch through the seaside town of Barmouth
.
After passing the Barmouth Bridge
, the road returns inland, along the northern banks of the Mawddach estuary, via Farchynys and Bontddu. Nearing the road's southern terminus, the road passes the Penmaenpool
Bridge junction before reaching Llanelltyd
, north of Dolgellau
.
Snowdonia
Snowdonia is a region in north Wales and a national park of in area. It was the first to be designated of the three National Parks in Wales, in 1951.-Name and extent:...
.
The road is 32.8 miles in length, from Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog is a town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales. It has a population of 5,000, including Llan Ffestiniog, which makes it the third largest town in Gwynedd, behind Caernarfon & Porthmadog. Although the population reached 12,000 at the peak of the slate industry, the population fell due to...
to Llanelltyd
Llanelltyd
Llanelltyd is a small village and community in Gwynedd, to the north of Dolgellau.It is home to the 12th-century Cymer Abbey and one of the oldest parish churches in Wales.- External links :*...
, via Harlech
Harlech
Harlech is a town and seaside resort in Gwynedd, within the historical boundaries of Merionethshire in northwest Wales. Lying on Tremadog Bay and within the Snowdonia National Park, it has a population of 1,952, of whom 59% speak Welsh...
. The original northern terminus of the road before A470 re-numbering was Llandudno
Llandudno
Llandudno is a seaside resort and town in Conwy County Borough, Wales. In the 2001 UK census it had a population of 20,090 including that of Penrhyn Bay and Penrhynside, which are within the Llandudno Community...
. The road passes through a diverse landscape, including the mountainous region of Blaenau Ffestiniog, two estuaries, and the Cambrian Coast.
Route in detail
The northernmost point of the road is the A470 (Church Road) junction at Blaenau Ffestiniog. The road by-passes Glanypwll, Rhiwbryfdir and TanygrisiauTanygrisiau
Tanygrisiau is a village in the upper end of the Vale of Ffestiniog in the county of Gwynedd, north-west Wales . It can be found along the southern side of the Moelwyn mountain range and dates to around 1750...
before descending towards the Vale of Ffestiniog
Vale of Ffestiniog
The Vale of Ffestiniog is a valley in the Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd, North Wales. It stretches from Blaenau Ffestiniog in the east and runs in a westerly direction towards Tremadog Bay, terminating near Porthmadog...
along the course of Afon Goedol. The road passes through the village of Maentwrog
Maentwrog
Maentwrog is a village and community in the Welsh county of Gwynedd, lying in the Vale of Ffestiniog, within the Snowdonia National Park. The River Dwyryd runs alongside the village...
, before crossing Afon Prysor near the Ceunant Llennyrch National Nature Reserve
Ceunant Llennyrch National Nature Reserve
Ceunant Llennyrch National Nature Reserve is one of several woodland reserves in the Vale of Ffestiniog in Gwynedd, Wales and runs from Trawsfynydd Lake to the River Dwyryd, near the village of Maentwrog....
.
The road follows the southern banks of the River Dwyryd
River Dwyryd
The Afon Dwyryd is a river in Gwynedd, North Wales, which flows principally westwards draining to the sea into Tremadog Bay south of Porthmadog....
, before reaching the Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay is a large inlet of the Irish Sea, indenting the west coast of Wales between Bardsey Island, Gwynedd in the north, and Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire at its southern end. It is the largest bay in Wales....
coast at Talsarnau
Talsarnau
Talsarnau or Talsamau is a village and community in the Ardudwy area of Gwynedd in Wales. It has a population of 525.The village of Talsarnau is situated on the A496 coastal road between Maentwrog and Harlech, located to the north of Eisingrug and southeast of the town of Porthmadog.Talsarnau...
. The road runs alongside the Cambrian Line
Cambrian Line
The Cambrian Line is a railway from Shrewsbury to Welshpool, Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. The railway runs first through the central part of Wales and then along the coast of Cardigan Bay....
railway for much of the coast route, bypassing Harlech
Harlech
Harlech is a town and seaside resort in Gwynedd, within the historical boundaries of Merionethshire in northwest Wales. Lying on Tremadog Bay and within the Snowdonia National Park, it has a population of 1,952, of whom 59% speak Welsh...
before ascending inland via the villages of Llanbedr, Llanfair and Dyffryn Ardudwy. The road returns to the coast at Llanaber, before the semi-urban stretch through the seaside town of Barmouth
Barmouth
Barmouth ; Y Bermo ) is a town in the county of Gwynedd, north-western Wales, lying on the estuary of the River Mawddach and Cardigan Bay.The town is served by Barmouth railway station.- History :...
.
After passing the Barmouth Bridge
Barmouth Bridge
The Barmouth Bridge is a single-track largely wooden railway viaduct that crosses the estuary of the Afon Mawddach river on the coast of Cardigan Bay between Morfa Mawddach and Barmouth in Gwynedd, Wales...
, the road returns inland, along the northern banks of the Mawddach estuary, via Farchynys and Bontddu. Nearing the road's southern terminus, the road passes the Penmaenpool
Penmaenpool
Penmaenpool is a village on the south side of River Mawddach in Wales, near Dolgellau.- Points of interest :*Penmaenpool toll bridge - wooden tollbridge built in 1879, Cadw registered building...
Bridge junction before reaching Llanelltyd
Llanelltyd
Llanelltyd is a small village and community in Gwynedd, to the north of Dolgellau.It is home to the 12th-century Cymer Abbey and one of the oldest parish churches in Wales.- External links :*...
, north of Dolgellau
Dolgellau
Dolgellau is a market town in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, lying on the River Wnion, a tributary of the River Mawddach. It was the county town of the former county of Merionethshire .-History and economy:...
.