Why Wales is High on our List of Top Cycling Destinations
Published on 19 Aug 2024 by Amy GreenwoodWhether you’re a keen road cyclist who loves tough climbs and epic views, a Sunday afternoon cyclist who enjoys easy routes with plenty of ice cream or beer stops, or a mountain biker seeking the best jumps and berms, there’s plenty of reasons why Wales should be high on your list of top cycling destinations.
With a mix of dedicated off-road trails and cycle paths, quiet country lanes, some serious hills, and undeniably spectacular scenery, Wales offers a varied choice of routes suitable for all. Road cyclists will appreciate the twists, turns and undulations of Wales’ country lanes. These are at their best early in the morning. Take advantage of these quiet hours to enjoy road cycling with far less traffic and pollution than on a typical urban ride.
Mountain bikers have a great choice of forest trails and rugged terrain. They will challenge even the most experienced riders, while families can take advantage of the many traffic-free routes, offering a safe and relaxed environment to explore the Welsh countryside.
Not only is cycling beneficial for both mental and physical health, it can be an enjoyable and a family-friendly activity and a great way to explore new areas. While Eryri (Snowdonia) is undoubtedly Wales’ go-to adventure destination, Mid-Wales, Ynys Môn (Anglesey) and Pen Llyn offer a wide variety of cycling routes and trails and shouldn’t be overlooked.
Take a look at some of North and Mid-Wales’ best cycling routes and trails.You’ll soon see why Wales should be high on your list of top cycling destinations.
Routes & Trails
The National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a UK-wide network of trails covering 12,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats. All trails consist of signed routes. A mix of on and off road sections of varying difficulties, including family-friendly cycle paths, mountain trails, and easy flat routes. There’s even a range of downloadable traffic-free routes ideal for families. There are two main routes in North and Mid Wales, Route 5 and Route 8. Many of the most popular cycle trails make use of sections of these two routes.
National Cycle Route 5
A 360 mile route which begins in Kent, crosses England and heads west into Wales just north of Chester. From this point the route becomes known as the North Wales Coastal. Passing along the coastline to Conwy, then Bangor, and finally over the Menai Suspension Bridge onto Ynys Môn for the final section of the route across the island to Holyhead. The route includes a mix of off and on-road sections, as well as some long traffic-free stretches, and plenty of stunning coastal views.
National Cycle Route 8
Also known as Lôn Las Cymru, this epic, long-distance trail wends its way up Wales’ west coast through wild and beautiful landscapes. Route 8 starts in Cardiff and passes two national parks, the Brecon Beacons and Eryri, before also finishing on Ynys Môn.
This route provides some tough challenges as it crosses Eryri and the Cambrian Mountains. Between Machynlleth and Porthmadog there are two route options: a coastal route that includes the Mawddach Trail and takes in the town of Harlech, or an inland route which passes through Dolgellau, Coed-y-Brenin Forest and Trawsfynydd.
Coed y Brenin
Something of a mecca for mountain biking enthusiasts Coed y Brenin Forest Park is home to a vast network of graded trails. With a wide choice of rides of varying difficulties and lengths from beginner’s routes to more challenging trails perfect for thrill seekers. The park also has a dedicated visitor centre, cafe, and hire shop, Beics Brenin, which also provides lessons and skills training for all levels of riders.
Pen Llŷn
The quiet lanes of Pen Llŷn provide numerous beautiful routes which meander through picturesque, unspoilt countryside. Enjoy coastal views and hedges filled with wildflowers. But don’t be fooled, there are many steep hills to climb so this is not an easy option!
Lôn Eifion
This popular route stretches for 12.5 miles between the historic town of Caernarfon and the village of Bryncir. The route makes use of a disused train line making it fairly flat (it’s a gentle uphill towards Bryncir and slight downhill back to Caernarfon). Suitable for families and occasional cyclists. As the route leaves Caernarfon it runs alongside the Welsh Highland Railway, passing Dinas station where you may have a chance to stop and admire a waiting steam train. Along the route there are countryside and mountain views. Look out for the peaks of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), Yr Eifl and the Nantlle Ridge. While the route itself is traffic-free there are a few road crossings along the way.
The Mawddach Trail
This 9 mile trail along a disused railway line between the market town of Dolgellau and the seaside resort of Barmouth offers a traffic-free cycling route with stunning views of the Mawddach Estuary and mountains beyond. It makes the ideal family-friendly ride with flat, easy, pedalling allowing you to soak up the gorgeous surroundings.
Llandegla Forest
For mountain biking enthusiasts, Llandegla Forest offers purpose-built graded trails catering to various skill levels complete with jumps, berms, and specialist sections including a pump track, skills area and freeride area to practise jumps and technical skills. The trails are well-maintained and provide thrilling rides through diverse terrain, including dense woodlands and open moorlands. There’s a visitor centre, shop and cafe and even a workshop for any on the spot repairs.
Traws Eryri
The latest long distance off-road route launched by Cycling UK, Traws Eryri, (Trans-Snowdonia), weaves through one of the UK’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. With sweeping descents, gnarly climbs, and rugged terrain, this 130 mile route between Machynlleth and Conwy promises to show you the best of wild Wales.
Llyn Brenig
Llyn Brenig reservoir, on the border of Denbighshire and Conwy, offers a range of cycle routes of varying difficulty with a network of waymarked trails which offer stunning views of the reservoir and surrounding woodland and moorland landscapes. Many of the trails are suitable for families and casual cyclists. The area also features picnic spots and a visitor centre where bikes can be hired.
Clwydian Range Trails
The Clwydian Range offers several cycling routes of varying difficulty and terrain including the Ffrith Mountain Circular mountain biking trail. Cyclists can enjoy the breathtaking scenery while navigating woodland, hills and valleys.
Newborough Forest
Newborough Forest is a lovely, peaceful woodland on the southwest side of Ynys Môn. It’s the perfect spot for a leisurely ride and there are two short, circular routes which are ideal for families. The Bikequest Nature Challenge is a 5 mile, yellow graded trail suitable for beginners, with information boards throughout the ride and a picnic area approximately half way along the trail. The Corsica Bike Trail is a slightly longer trail which follows the first half of the Bikequest route before going deeper into the forest. If you’d like to extend the ride further you can link up with the Lôn Las Cefni route.
Lôn Las Cefni
Running between Llangefni and Malltraeth, Lôn Las Cefni takes you through some of Anglesey’s most picturesque scenery, along the flat Malltraeth Marsh and into Llangefni alongside the River Cefni, continuing into the local nature reserve known as The Dingle, and on to the shores of Llyn Cefni reservoir. A great choice for families or those looking for an easy cycle.
Eryri / Brailsford Way
Of course we can’t go without mentioning Eryri one more time. According to Sir Dave Brailford ‘There’s no better cycling, or a more stunning part of the world than Snowdonia’. The National Park is a haven for adventurous cyclists, offering some of the most dramatic landscapes in Wales, along with rugged terrain which provides a range of challenging routes for experienced cyclists. The Snowdonia Slate Trail is a particularly popular route, taking riders through the historic slate mining areas and offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. For a truly epic ride there’s also Llanberis Pass, (which forms part of the Brailsford Way), a challenging climb with breathtaking views that’s a favourite among road cyclists looking for a demanding yet rewarding ride.
Bike Hire
Discover Llŷn, Llŷn Peninsula
Ebike hire and guide company which offer a regular schedule of ebike tours suitable for anyone aged 14 and upwards and bike delivery across Pen Llyn.
Beics Brenin, Coed y Brenin
Beic Brenin offers a wide range of bike hire including balance bikes, children’s bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, full suspension and ebikes.
Anglesey Elecbike Hire, Llangaffo
Based in Llangaffo, close to Newborough Forest, Anglesey Elecbike Hire offer adult ebike hire from half a day to multiple days, and if you’re hiring for more than two days they’ll even deliver your bike to your Anglesey holiday cottage.
Easy Pedals, Rhoshirwaun
Based in Rhoshirwaun on the Llŷn Peninsula, Easy Pedals provides adult ebike hire.
Beics Betws, Betws y Coed
Beics Betws stock a wide range of traditional and ebikes, including leisure bikes and hardtail mountain bikes, along with trailers and tag-alongs so the whole family can enjoy a day out together. They also offer a bike hire delivery and collection service in Llandudno, Conwy and across the North Wales coastal area.
Beics Antur, Caernarfon
Beics Antur offers a large selection of ladies, gents and childrens’ bikes for sale and hire, along with a fleet of adaptive bikes for hire, suitable for individuals of all abilities. Located close to Caernarfon Castle, with easy access to Lôn Eifion cycle track.
OnePlanet Adventure, Llandegla
Based in Llandegla Forest, OnePlanet Adventure have all the kit you need to enjoy the forest trails. They also offer a range of full suspension and ebikes for hire.
Cycle Wales, Llangefni.
Based within 200m of the Lon Las Cefni cycle path, Cycle Wales fleet includes hardtail mountain bikes, road bikes, tandems, junior bikes, tagalongs, trailers and ebikes. They also offer guided rides around Anglesey, Snowdonia and Pen Llyn.
Dolgellau Cycles, Dolgellau
Cycle shop, repair and bike hire centre located just 200 metres from the start of the Mawddach Trail. Adult bikes, 20 and 24 inch childrens bikes, tagalongs, trailers and child seats.
