Routes2Ride
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, Fourteen Locks to Cwmbran
Two canals used to run north and west from Newport, one to Pontypool and one to Newbridge. Both have fallen into disrepair but the towpaths are still largely intact from Crosskeys in the west past the Fourteen Locks and alongside the M4 to Barrack Hill on the edge of Newport then north to the outskirts of Cwmbran. For such a built-up area the canal represents a fine green corridor with an excellent wide, gravel towpath and views of hills rising to over 300m (1000ft) at its western end.
Classification: Easy Distance: 6 miles one way
Hengoed Viaduct to Taff Bargoed
Ride from the mighty Hengoed Viaduct through Nelson and Trelewis to the climbing centre at Taff Bargoed. The viaduct, spanning the Rhymney River, is celebrated with its magnificent ‘Wheel of Drams’ artwork. For much of its length the trail runs parallel to an existing railway line on a specially built cyclepath. A short steep climb from Trelewis up a series of zig zags takes you past The Cascades, a dramatic water feature carrying the Bargoed Taff down the valley.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 6 miles one way
Taff Trail, Cardiff to Castell Coch
The 55-mile Taff Trail runs north from Cardiff to Brecon along a mixture of riverside paths, railway paths and forestry roads. The section described here runs from Bute Park, just north of the Millennium Stadium, to Tongwynlais, passing through parkland alongside the River Taff on an attractive, broad, smooth track. In Tongwynlais you can visit fairytale Castell Coch, a Grade I listed building described as ‘one of the most fascinating surviving relics of Victorian Medievalism’.
Classification: Easy Distance: 6 miles one way
Cefn Cribwr Bridgend
Running from Tondu west to the Frogpond Wood Nature Reserve, this predominantly wooded trail uses wooden decking winding its way through the Parc Slip Nature Park to keep you up above the soft ground beneath. There are Scheduled Ancient Monuments at either end of the trail: Cefn Cribwr Ironworks near to Pyle and Tondu Ironworks near to Tondu.
Classification: Easy Distance: 4.5 miles one way
Afan Forest Park & Glyncorrwg
The Afan valley is fast becoming the home of cycling in South Wales, with world class mountain bike trails and family orientated traffic free paths alike. The old railway lines that stretch the length of the valley and along many of it’s ‘fingers’ have been converted into excellent family cycle trails.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 10-mile loop starting from the Visitor Centre between Pontrhydyfen and Cymer with a 2.4 mile spur up to Glyncorrwg.
Swansea Bike Path
The wide curving sweep of Swansea Bay is the perfect setting for the bike path running from the award-winning Maritime Quarter in the centre of Swansea round to Mumbles along the route of the former Mumbles railway. The route has wonderful views across Swansea Bay to Mumbles Head, which marks the start of the Gower Peninsula and offers a wide range of refreshments at the cafés, restaurants and pubs in a picturesque setting.
Classification: Easy Distance: 6 miles one way
Swiss Valley Cycle Route
Llanelli is a focus for traffic-free trails in South Wales: it lies at a halfway point in the magnificent Millennium Coastal Park with trails running west towards Pembrey Country Park and east towards Swansea while this route climbs up from Sandy Water Park into the rolling hills above the town, passing the Lliedi Reservoirs to its finish point at Cross Hands.
Classification: Moderate Distance: 13 miles one way
Millennium Coastal Park
Head west from the Llanelli’s North Dock to Pembrey Forest along one of the finest sections of the National Cycle Network in the whole of the United Kingdom. More than two years work with massive earth-moving equipment has created the magnificent coastal park with wonderful views across to the Gower Peninsula.
Classification: Easy Distance: 6 miles one way
Saundersfoot to Stepaside
A spectacular ride from the heart of the popular seaside resort of Saundersfoot through a series of short tunnels carved into the cliffs to Wiseman’s Bridge where the route turns inland climbing gently up through broadleaf woodland to Stepaside and a chance for refreshment. Another section of traffic-free path continues east from Wiseman’s Bridge towards Amroth Castle.
Classification: Easy Distance: 2.5 miles one way
Brunel Trail
Climb gently from the array of colourful yachts at Neyland Marina on a railway path up through the attractive broadleaf woodland of Westfield Pill Nature Reserve alongside the Daugleddau estuary to Johnston then beyond here on a newly-built, undulating path parallel to the railway as far as Merlin’s Bridge on the edge of Haverfordwest.
Classification: Easy Distance: 10 miles one way
