Routes2Ride
Lôn Las Cymru from Holyhead to Cardiff or Chepstow
Lôn Las Cymru runs down the length of Wales from Holyhead to Chepstow or Cardiff and is one of the toughest long distance routes on the National Cycle Network. It passes through some of the most stunning scenery in the British Isles, including the quiet rural lanes of Anglesey, the majestic woodlands of Coed-y-Brenin Forest, the atmospheric Mawddach Estuary, the lovely valley of the River Wye, followed between Llangurig and Glasbury and the panoramic views enjoyed from Gospel Pass on the route through the Black Mountains.
Classification: Challenging Distance: 250 miles
Lôn Cambria: Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury
Lôn Cambria crosses the heart of beautiful Mid Wales through the Cambrian mountains, tracing a picturesque route from the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth to the historic border town of Shrewsbury. Highlights include the spectacular and remote mountain road east of Cwmystwyth, the traffic-free Elan Valley Trail alongside the beautiful Elan Valley reservoirs, the handsome towns of Rhayader and Llanidloes and the easy section along the Montgomery Canal towpath through Newtown.
Classification: Challenging Distance: 113 miles
Lôn Teifi: Aberystwyth to Fishguard
Starting in the university town of Aberystwyth, Lôn Teifi runs along the beautiful Ystwyth valley to Pont-rhyd-y-groes before turning southwest to cross the watershed and drop down into the valley of the picturesque River Teifi which is followed all the way to the coast at Cardigan. There are several gentle valley sections but there are also many climbs linking the valleys. The most noticeable of these lie either side of the handsome town of Newport including the final ascent which leads into the mystical Gwaum valley and journey's end in Fishguard.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 100 miles
Celtic Trail
Running across Wales at its widest point, the Celtic Trail takes in the ecclesiastical splendours of St David's, the spectacular Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, dramatic castles in Haverfordwest, Pembroke and Kidwelly, the magnificent Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park and the wide sweep of Swansea Bay. The largely traffic-free route from Trelewis, north of Abercynon, leads down through the wooded delights of Sirhowy Valley Country Park and along the towpath of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal into the heart of Newport, leaving you with a few miles of easy cycling to reach Chepstow and one of the finest castles in the whole of Britain.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 225 miles
Taff Trail: Brecon to Cardiff
The Taff Trail is a predominantly traffic-free ride from the heart of the beautifully located town of Brecon down to Cardiff's Waterfront. Canal towpaths, quiet lanes and old tramways take you through the Brecon Beacons into Merthyr Tydfil, at one time the heart of the early Industrial Revolution in Wales. To the south of here the route passes through old mining communities with their distinctive rows of terraced houses, down past the fairy tale castle of Castell Coch and along riverside paths beneath the stunning Millennium Stadium to finish at Cardiff Bay.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 55 miles
Chester to Connah’s Quay
The towpath of the Shopshire Union Canal links the centre of the historic town of Chester to the railway path, an attractive open ride taking you from the north side of town out into the Wirral’s rich arable farmlands. Away in the distance are the Clwyd Hills. At Hawarden Bridge you may wish to try the alternative return route to Chester by following the excellent trail alongside the River Dee (Regional Route 89) back into the centre of town.
Classification: Easy Distance: 7 miles one way
Pensarn to Prestatyn
This is the eastern half of the predominantly traffic-free coastal promenade that stretches almost unbroken from Rhos-on-Sea in the west to Prestatyn in the east. The trail crosses the River Clwyd just west of Rhyl and after skirting around the colourful yachts in Rhyl’s marina you are soon back onto the wide, smooth tarmac of the traffic-free path with views north across Liverpool Bay towards the clusters of offshore wind turbines.
Classification: Easy Distance: 9 miles one way
Rhos-on-Sea to Pensarn
Enjoy this wonderful open breezy ride along the wide sea promenade that stretches from Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay to Pensarn. The ride has a background of wooded hills rising to over 200m (600ft). The ride runs along the bustling seafront of Colwyn Bay before passing the curious concrete anchors that have been dumped in great heaps along the coast to prevent erosion from the sea. Up in the wooded hills between Llanddulas and Abergele you will catch a glimpse of the atmospheric Gwrych Castle.
Classification: Easy Distance: 7 miles one way
Llandudno to Conwy
This ride has one of the finest backdrops to any in the whole of the country - to the north, Great Ormes Head rises to 210m (679ft) and its cliff ledges are nesting places for many species of seabirds, to the southwest across Conwy Bay the mighty peaks of Snowdonia seem to rise straight out of the water and as you approach Conwy the foreground is filled with the town’s marina and Edward I’s magnificent castle nestling right at the base of the dramatic hills.
Classification: Easy Distance: 4 miles one way
Lôn Las Ogwen from Bangor to Llyn Ogwen
Lôn Las Ogwen is a superb ride offering excellent mountain views as you climb south from the coast at Bangor (Porth Penryn) via a railway path through mature broadleaf woodland alongside the River Cegin to the village of Tregarth. The ride continues on up through the spoils of the slate quarry on a well-designed path with ever better views of the mountains of Snowdonia ahead. A final climb takes you to the shores of Llyn Ogwen where there is a café.
Classification: Challenging Distance: 11 miles one way
