Basic Plan
The beauty of Wales Trails is that there is no set route! There are plenty of wonderful cycle tracks all over the country but as yet no complete circuit of the country. The original route that Dave Lewis planned is shown in the map opposite but basically the route you take is up to you. In actual fact the route eventually taken was slightly different to this for a number of reasons, as outlined in the Wales Trails book, but the basic principle was the same.
Dave’s idea was to start in his hometown (Pontypridd), head west (clockwise), use as many traffic-free cycle trails as possible, hug the coastline, detour inland slightly for some added interest, take in a quick ride across the sea onto Anglesey and then ‘pioneer’ a route north to south and eventually finish back in the same place.
His route took in the following towns: Pontypridd, Margam, Swansea, Burry Port, Kidwelly, Carmarthen, Tenby, Pembroke, Haverfordwest, St David’s, Fishguard, Cardigan, Lampeter, Tregaron, Aberystwyth, Aberdyfi, Barmouth, Harlech, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Caernarfon, Holyhead, Bangor, Llandudno, Rhyl, Wrexham, Knighton, Hay-on-Wye, Abergavenny, Chepstow, Newport and Cardiff with many smaller villages in between.
As time goes on Sustrans will no doubt create new trails and there will be traffic-free additions to this route but the basic aim should be to follow the coastline as much as possible (remember that Wales now has a National Coastal Path) and then criss-cross the border with England, touching Offas Dyke as you go around.
We started at the Llanover Arms pub, or as what3words would say – ///member.famed.care
Plan Your Ride
The route: Any loop of Wales you fancy!
Duration: Take as long as you want, but we’d suggest two weeks or more to really get to know the country and it’s people!
Direction: Clockwise, to take advantage of the SW prevailing winds and also ‘cos it’s a Buddhist thing!
Start / Finish: You decide, it’s a loop after all so anywhere on the map is fine!
Charity: Up to you, but why not set up a Just Giving page and raise some cash for a good cause?
Aim: To put Wales on the ‘must do’ bikers list.
The idea is to create a ‘LEJOG-lite’ in Wales. The famous ‘End-to-End’ ride usually takes two weeks and cyclists cover approx. 900+ miles. The lap of the country can be whatever you want but 500-700 miles seems about fair. This means the Welsh ride is shorter and therefore great training for the LEJOG challenge.
However, if you do the ‘Wales Trails’ ride in two weeks the shorter distances per day means there is more time to enjoy and savour the fantastic Welsh scenery and meet the fabulous Welsh people.
This is your chance to put the land of the dragon firmly on the cyclists’ bucket list of adventures and also bring in some much needed income to the Welsh economy. Our B&Bs, bike shops, pubs, cafés and tourist attractions should all benefit!
So if you fancy a challenge with a difference why not attempt a loop of Wales and ride over 500 miles along some of the most stunning coastline anywhere in the world!
Towns & Cities
Here is a quick list of towns and cities you might consider visiting on your route:
Pontypridd – gateway to the south Wales valleys
Margam – Country Park
Swansea – check out the marina
Carmarthen – discover the county
Tenby – visitors guide
Pembroke – visit the castle
Haverfordwest – town guide
St David’s – cathedral site
Fishguard – where to go and what to see
Cardigan – marine wildlife centre
Tregaron – Twm Sion Cati country
Aberystwyth – tourist guide
Barmouth – seaside town
Harlech – famous castle
Porthmadog – gateway to Snowdonia
Caernarfon – imposing castle
Ynys Mon – visit the island
Bangor – Western Mail
Llandudno – Great Orme
Rhyl & Prestatyn – fight it out
Wrexham – lager, lager, lager!
Knighton – Offa’s Dyke
Hay-on-Wye – I love books
Abergavenny – Brecon Beacons
Chepstow – horse racing
Newport – Transporter Bridge
Cardiff – capital city
Use Google Maps
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