Crimea Pass
A470 · Betws-y-Coed → Blaenau Ffestiniog · Wales
- Length
- 11 miles
- Drive time
- 20 min
- Type
- Mountain pass
- Region
- Wales
Before you go: Exposed at 385 m — can be grim in winter weather
The A470's finest driving stretch, worth singling out: from Betws-y-Coed up the Lledr valley past Dolwyddelan castle, then the big, open climb over the Crimea Pass before dropping between the slate tips into Blaenau Ffestiniog. Wide, well-sighted and fast-flowing — the enthusiast's cut of the iconic road.
Highlights of the Crimea Pass
- Lledr valley & Dolwyddelan castle
- Open summit sweepers (385 m)
- Dramatic slate-country descent
Where to stop on the Crimea Pass
- Dolwyddelan Castle viewpoint — Lonely native-Welsh keep beside the A470 — five-minute walk up from the car park
- Crimea Pass summit viewpoint — Summit layby at 385 m between Moel Siabod and the Moelwynion
- Llechwedd Caffi café — Cafe at the slate caverns on the Blaenau side of the pass — Zip World site, open daily
Drive the Crimea Pass
Open Crimea Pass on the map → ⬇ Download GPX
GPX works with Garmin, TomTom, Beeline and most bike sat-navs. Free, no sign-up — these are indicative waypoints, so follow the road signs, not the arrow.
Plot it, add it to a club run with a meeting point and pit stops, then share the whole trip as one link. Free, no account, works offline.
Route research: Rush Magazine
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