Ice cream & incredible views – cycling the North Wales Coastal Route

Every turn along the North Wales’ Coastline brings a postcard-perfect view: Bright yellow flowers blanket green headland that slopes towards the Irish Sea, wild ponies roam freely along the cliff tops and castle turrets rise from the forested hillsides. Cycling the North Wales Coastal Route is a memorable adventure on one the best stretches of coastline in the UK.

Starting in Holyhead, this Collection guides you along the North Wales Coastal Route around the tip of Anglesey and along the coast to Chester. To give you plenty of time to explore this gorgeous stretch of coastline, I’ve split the 156-mile (251-km) route into five stages which average around 24.8 miles (40 km) per day. As always, you can combine or split the routes to suit your fitness level and schedule.

North Wales’ coastline is incredibly varied. You can explore natural wonders such as the sweeping Church Bay and Little Orme headland, as well as fascinating historical sites. The route passes Iron Age settlements, spectacular former copper mines, Bronze Age relics and magnificent castles such as Conwy Castle, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. And, of course, after a fun day in the saddle, you can relax on the beach, which is never far away on this ride.

As is often the case with British coastal routes, you can expect a fair bit of climbing. You'll climb 7,200 feet (2,190 m) in total, with up to 1,970 feet (600 m) elevation gain in one stage. However, the climbs are manageable and amazing sea views are guaranteed.

If you are prepared to sweat it out on the climbs, this route is suitable for most levels of riders and inexperienced tourers. However, due to some stretches along busier roads, I wouldn’t recommend it for children who are not used to riding in traffic. If you are riding as a family, consider doing the section from Bangor to Chester as this mostly follows a bike path along the sea and the traffic-free Chester Greenway.

You will follow quiet lanes and traffic-free bike paths for the majority of the way, with a few short stints on busier roads. All of the sections are well-surfaced so any bike is suitable for your adventure.

The North Coast of Wales has drawn holidaymakers with its sprawling beaches and rocky shores for centuries. The tourist infrastructure is well-developed so you are never far from a bed, hot shower, and food stops. There are also plenty of campsites so it’s definitely worth considering packing your tent.

The start/finish point in Holyhead/Chester are easy to reach by train, both cities have good rail connections.

So, if pedalling along the seafront and multiple ice cream stops a day sound like your cup of tea – the North Wales Coastal Route is perfect for your next adventure.