The best cycling routes in Wales

Terrific terrain

Wales is a place for adventurers, whether you’re eight years old or eighty. Beloved for its varied mountain ranges and accessible passes, enjoying bike rides in Wales can certainly include some thigh-quivering climbs. Equally though, you’ll discover hundreds of miles of mostly flat trails that take in stunning landscapes without so much as going over a speedbump. 

Traffic-free trails abound, making it easy to enjoy Wales’ cycle routes in blissful peace. These routes are perfect if you’re looking for long distance, multi-day adventures and you can cross the entire country, east to west and north to south if you want to. 

For gentle day rides, pedal alongside rivers through mountain valleys or explore the extraordinary southern coastline with its beautiful beaches and ice cream stops. 

The mountains are what entice many to start cycling in Wales. The Brecon Beacons alone offer a vast variety of terrains and trails, from towpaths to mountain passes and from evergreen forests to glorious reservoirs. For Wales’ most breathtaking peaks, you’ll need to pedal up into Snowdonia National Park. 

Cycling in Snowdonia offers strenuous climbs, seriously lengthy free-wheeling past dramatic scenery and the best picnic spots in the country. Cycling isn’t a walk in the park here, but you’ll be richly rewarded for your sweat. 

What to expect with the weather

Cycle routes in Wales have a reputation for being of the damp variety, thanks to its proximity to the sea. The weather is usually mild in the shoulder seasons, warm in summer and snowy at altitude in winter. 

Plan for rain no matter what time of year, especially if you’re exploring in the mountains where clouds have a habit of relieving themselves. That’s not to say you’re guaranteed to get wet by any stretch of the imagination. Wales has plenty of dry days too, they’re just not always terribly predictable. 

A country built for adventure

Largely rural thanks to its rugged terrain, Wales has an almost unrivalled spirit of adventure. As a result, you’ll find cafes, pubs and accommodation along cycle routes that not only welcome cyclists but might even have a fireplace where you can warm your feet. 

Small Welsh communities typically have everything you need for a stop-off, from post offices and newsagents to cafes and cake shops. This makes it even easier to plan long distance adventures and truly get to know the heart of this majestic nation.