North Wales Route Recce: Mold to Betws-y-Coed
This Moto Planet feature is presented by Liam Simm, riding a wintery North Wales Route Recce from Mold to Betws-y-Coed. It’s not a “pin it” kind of video. It’s a practical run-through of a route that’s properly enjoyable at sensible pace, with honest notes on surfaces, rural hazards, and the bits that make the day feel like a ride rather than just miles.
The plan is simple: out of Mold, thread your way towards Denbigh, climb onto Denbigh Moors for the open, flowing sections, then drop onto the A5 and finish in Betws-y-Coed. Along the way, Liam flags where you might stop, where you definitely want to stay switched on, and why Betws works so well as a North Wales meeting point for bikers.
Route Summary
- Mold
- Rhydymwyn (fuel)
- Denbigh
- Denbigh Moors
- Evo Triangle area (upper section / viewpoint stretch)
- A5 towards Betws-y-Coed
- Betws-y-Coed
Route Overview
This route is built around contrast. You start with everyday A-road riding out of Mold, then it opens up into exposed moorland where the views go wide and the wind can bite, before tightening back down into the more sheltered run towards Betws-y-Coed. It’s exactly the sort of loop that feels bigger than the mileage suggests.
In the video, the conditions are a big character of the day: frost, wind chill, damp patches, and the kind of grime you only really notice on rural roads in winter. That’s why this recce is useful. You’re not just getting directions. You’re getting the “what it’s like” notes that help you plan the ride properly.
Route Legs
Mold to Rhydymwyn
Liam starts by pointing you onto the A541 towards Denbigh. The riding here is varied: shifting limits, small villages, and sections that look inviting but need a bit of restraint in winter. He calls out a key detail early on: the surface can be rough, and with industrial traffic nearby you can get a slick film on the road. On cold mornings, that matters more than the bends themselves.
Fuel comes up early, with a stop at Rhydymwyn. Even if you don’t need petrol, it’s a handy anchor point for a quick warm-up pause before the day opens out.
Rhydymwyn to Denbigh
This is where the route earns its keep. Liam frames it as a more engaging alternative to the obvious main-road option, with sections that feel busier in your hands without needing big speed. The trade-off is rural reality: more junctions into fields, more chance of mud, and more reason to keep your vision long and your braking early.
If you want a rider-focused stop on this stretch, Liam mentions A&D Motorcycles, noting it as a solid place to pull in. Even if you ride straight through, it’s useful to know where the “biker-friendly” pause points are.
Denbigh
Denbigh is treated as a pass-through point rather than the feature. Liam highlights a simple route choice: you can go through the town, or cut via the industrial estate to reduce traffic and keep the ride flowing. On a day like this, less stop-start also means staying warmer and keeping your concentration steady.
Once you’re clear, the scenery starts to open and you’re setting up for the moors.
Denbigh Moors
Up on Denbigh Moors the ride changes character. The road feels broader, the horizon stretches out, and the wind becomes a proper factor. Liam mentions average speed cameras in this area, which suits the conditions anyway. With mud, animal mess, and turnings into fields, this is the kind of road where smooth beats fast.
It’s also the sort of section where riders tend to underestimate fatigue. Wind noise and wind pressure add up, especially when it’s cold, so plan your pace like you’re doing a full day, not a short blast.
Evo Triangle area
Liam gives a quick explainer on why the Evo Triangle became a destination route and why it’s less of a free-for-all now. The useful takeaway is to treat it as a quality road segment rather than the headline. On a clear day it’s a brilliant part of North Wales to ride through, but it’s not the place for proving anything.
If you’re linking it into this route, the best approach is simple: enjoy the shape of the road, ride within limits, and keep enough margin for the unexpected.
A5 into Betws-y-Coed
As you drop towards the A5 and head for Betws-y-Coed, the road becomes more flowing and visually satisfying. Liam calls out how open it feels, with good sight lines across corners. He also flags the basics that matter on UK roads: watch for holes, don’t assume a clean surface, and keep a tidy line when the weather is doing its thing.
The final run into Betws feels more sheltered and “destination-like”. Even on a grim day, you can feel the route has delivered something worthwhile.
Landmarks and Rider Stops
This recce is light on planned stops, but it still hands you useful rider references. A&D Motorcycles is highlighted as a biker-friendly pause point if you want a mid-route stop near Denbigh. Betws-y-Coed is the big one, with Liam framing it as a biker hub: a place where you can park up, meet mates, grab food, and choose your next direction because everything branches off from there.
Even if you’re not building in a café crawl, these towns work well as practical anchors. In winter riding especially, having a predictable “warm-up point” can make the whole ride calmer and safer.
Final Thoughts: Is the route worth riding?
Yes. It’s a strong North Wales loop because it gives you variety quickly, and it finishes somewhere that actually feels like a proper endpoint. In good weather it’s a great day out. In winter, it’s still worth doing if you ride it with margin, respect the surfaces, and treat the moorland sections like the exposed environment they are.
One last practical note from a Moto Planet perspective: if you’re riding days like this regularly, wind management makes a noticeable difference to comfort and focus. If you’re looking to calm the windblast on colder rides, browse options here: Motorcycle Screens.
Key takeaways
- This is a proper day-ride route: varied roads, open moors, then a destination finish.
- Early sections can have rough surface and winter slick patches, especially with heavy vehicles nearby.
- Denbigh Moors is scenic and flowing, but wind and rural debris mean you want to keep it smooth.
- The Evo Triangle area is best treated as a quality road, not a challenge.
- Betws-y-Coed works as a hub stop and a launch point for endless add-on routes.
North Wales Route Recce: Mold to Betws-y-Coed – UK FAQ
The exact time depends on stops and conditions. In winter, plan it as a relaxed half-day ride so you’re not rushing when the surface turns damp, dirty, or icy.
It can be, but treat it as winter riding rather than summer fun. Liam mentions ice, wind chill, and slippery sections, so ride with extra margin and avoid pushing on exposed moorland.
Liam stops at Rhydymwyn early in the ride. Even if you don’t need fuel, it’s a useful point to pause and reset before the moors.
Rough surface in places, mud and debris from farm entrances, heavy vehicles, and winter grip changes on shaded sections. On the moors, wind exposure can also increase fatigue.
The ride passes through the Evo Triangle area, with Liam explaining why it’s famous. It’s best enjoyed as a scenic, flowing road segment rather than a “go-fast” destination.
It’s a natural meeting point with parking, places to stop, and loads of route options branching out. Liam describes it as a hub because you can head out from there in almost any direction across North Wales.
Surface can vary, and in the video Liam calls out winter mess like mud and animal debris. In dry conditions many riders find it smooth and flowing, but in cold weather it’s all about reading the road.
Warm layers, winter gloves, and a plan for stopping to warm up. Liam talks about wind chill and mentions heated gear as something he’s considering, which tracks with what many UK riders do for year-round riding.