UKH

Off to Dolgellau tomorrow from Devon, can anyone recommend somewhere to stop for lunch on or near the A470?

Er... Slightly weird. Pretty much any layby on the A470 is OK, but Horeshoe Pass between Dinas Mawwdy and Dolgellau is worth stopping the car for.

If you take the B4518 scenic route between Llanidloes (via Staylittle) and Llanbrynmair, you can stop off at a car park (915888) with a lovely view over Llyn Clywedog.  
It will probably be misty or raining though...

Er, sorry but I've known that area for many, many years but I don't know of a Horseshoe Pass in the vicinity. Can you enlighten me please?

Genuinely interested

Since there may be some confusion are you after a spot to scoff a packed lunch, or a pub, shop or similar to buy something?

T.

Mcdonalds Abergavenny, The Bear Hotel in Crickhowell;  or for picnic, Raglan castle or Usk Castle or Tretower court(history), Marteg Bridge towards llangurig. Chippy in Llanidloes. Anywhere over Clywedog going to staylittle as mentioned. My choice Tretower court or The Bear.

Slight detour to the Elan valley visitor centre would be nice. The cafe is OK, the staff at the visitor centre are absolutely lovely.

The pass between Dinas Mawddwy and Dolgellau is Bwlch yr Oerddrws. Keep yer head down in case of low flying jets if the top carpark is full. (google Mach Loop) 

You're quite correct, it's what my wife's family always called it and I just went along with it. Never again!

Thanks. The big pass on that stretch is Bwlch Oerddrws. If my knowledge of Welsh is correct it means Cold Door Pass.

I think the confusion may be with Bwlch yr Oerddrws and Bwlch yr Oernant which is Horseshoe Pass near Llangollen.

A very appropriate name.