Lôn Eifion
Encyclopedia
Lôn Eifion is part of Lôn Las Cymru, the Welsh
National Cycle Route, which is about 400 km (248.5 mi) long.
Lôn Eifion is the section which runs for 20 km (12.4 mi) from Caernarfon
to Bryncir along most of the former Caernarfon to Afon Wen
line. This line was that of the Carnarvonshire Railway
(later LNWR and London, Midland and Scottish Railway
), and joined with the Cambrian Coast Line at Afon Wen. Running alongside for part of the way is the trackbed of the old Nantlle Tramway
, along which horse-drawn tram
s carried slates from the quarries in the Nantlle Valley to the port at Caernarfon from where they were exported.
For most of the first 5 km (3.1 mi) from Caernarfon, the line of Lôn Eifion runs alongside that of the Welsh Highland Railway
.
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
National Cycle Route, which is about 400 km (248.5 mi) long.
Lôn Eifion is the section which runs for 20 km (12.4 mi) from Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
to Bryncir along most of the former Caernarfon to Afon Wen
Afon Wen
Afon Wen is a small hamlet on the Llŷn peninsula in the Welsh principal area of Gwynedd.- Location :It is located at the mouth of the Afon Wen river, half a mile from the village of Chwilog and midway between Pwllheli and Cricieth.- History & Amenities :...
line. This line was that of the Carnarvonshire Railway
Carnarvonshire Railway
The Carnarvonshire Railway was a railway connecting Caernarvon railway station with Afon Wen.-History:...
(later LNWR and London, Midland and Scottish Railway
London, Midland and Scottish Railway
The London Midland and Scottish Railway was a British railway company. It was formed on 1 January 1923 under the Railways Act of 1921, which required the grouping of over 120 separate railway companies into just four...
), and joined with the Cambrian Coast Line at Afon Wen. Running alongside for part of the way is the trackbed of the old Nantlle Tramway
Nantlle Railway
The Nantlle Railway was a Welsh narrow gauge railway built to carry slate from several slate quarries in the Nantlle Valley to the harbour at Caernarfon for export by sea. The line received its Act of Parliament in 1825 and was constructed by Robert Stephenson, brother of George Stephenson. It...
, along which horse-drawn tram
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
s carried slates from the quarries in the Nantlle Valley to the port at Caernarfon from where they were exported.
For most of the first 5 km (3.1 mi) from Caernarfon, the line of Lôn Eifion runs alongside that of the Welsh Highland Railway
Welsh Highland Railway
The Welsh Highland Railway is a long restored narrow gauge heritage railway in North Wales, operating from Caernarfon to Porthmadog, and passing through a number of popular tourist destinations including Beddgelert and the Aberglaslyn Pass. At Porthmadog it connects with the Ffestiniog Railway...
.