Routes2Ride
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
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
Lôn Las Menai from Caernarfon to Y Felinheli
A 4-mile railway path through broadleaf woodland linking Caernarfon with the old slate harbour of Port Dinorwig (Y Felinheli) with fine views of the Menai Strait and across the water to the island of Anglesey. The Menai Strait is crossed by two famous bridges: the Menai Suspension Bridge was built by Thomas Telford in 1819-26 and the Britannia Bridge, which was originally a tubular railway bridge built by Robert Stephenson.
Classification: Easy Distance: 4 miles one way
Lôn Eifion from Caernarfon south to Bryncir
The railway path starts near the mighty castle in Caernarfon and climbs south alongside the Welsh Highland Railway past Llanwnda and Penygroes to Bryncir with wonderful views west out to Caernarfon Bay and east to the foothills of Snowdonia. Lôn Eifion’s highpoint is reached after almost 150m (500ft) of climbing, just below the radio mast, about two miles south of Penygroes, leaving you with a very enjoyable descent back to Caernarfon.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 12 miles one way
Mawddach Trail from Dolgellau to Barmouth
The Mawddach Trail is one of the most scenic railway paths in the country, running along the spectacular Mawddach Estuary. The trail starts right from the heart of the handsome grey stone town of Dolgellau and offers views across to the hills to the north rising to over 600m (2000ft). There are two atmospheric wooden bridges, the first a toll bridge at Penmaenpool carrying road traffic and the other at the mouth of the estuary carrying the railway line, pedestrians and cyclists into Barmouth.
Classification: Easy Distance: 9 miles one way
Elan Valley Trail from Rhayader
Set in the heart of beautiful, mountainous Mid Wales this spectacular trail climbs 50m (165ft) from the Elan Valley Visitor Centre past Caban Coch and Garreg Ddu Reservoirs with their fine dams and an ornamental water tower, to the end of Penygarreg Reservoir leaving you with a splendid descent back to the start. When the reservoirs are full you will be rewarded with the sight of millions of gallons of water cascading over the dam walls.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 9 miles one way
Taff Trail north of Merthyr Tydfil
This section of the Taff Trail starts just north of Merthyr Tydfil where the trail finally leaves behind the densely populated industrial area to the south and heads for the hills, passing through woodlands and over tall viaducts to the first of the reservoirs in the Brecon Beacons at Pontsticill with dramatic views ahead to the highest mountains in the National Park.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 4 miles one way
Clydach Gorge, west of Abergavenny
An almost entirely traffic-free route now runs between Llanfoist, just to the south of Abergavenny, and Brynmawr, passing high above the Clydach Gorge. The largely wooded route climbs steadily beyond Govilon, leaving far below the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. There are some splendid old mining and quarrying ruins along the course of what must have been a monumental challenge for the railway engineers.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 8 miles one way
Pontypool to Blaenavon railway path
Climb steadily north from Pontypool through Abersychan to Blaenavon, passing through a long stretch of lovely broadleaf woodland, with fine views to the east across the valley of Afon Lwyd. With a climb of over 200 metres (650ft) up to Blaenavon it comes as no surprise that the trip back down to Pontypool is a lot easier. At Big Pit Mining Museum in Blaenavon you can experience going underground in a real colliery.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 9 miles one way
