Travel Guides

Cycle Touring in Wales : A two-week circuit and shorter tours

by Richard Barrett

A comprehensive guide to cycling the complete circuit of Wales Cycling a full circuit of Wales takes in Pembrokeshire's dramatic coastline, the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia), the rolling border country of the Marches and the historic cities of Cardiff and Swansea — a complete cross-section of Welsh landscape and culture in a single two-week tour. At 1057km (657 miles) in 12 stages, it is a substantial undertaking, though the route also lends itself to shorter regional tours using six cross routes. This guidebook describes the full circuit of Wales alongside six cross routes ranging from 72 to 115km, which can be ridden independently or used to create shorter versions of the main tour. The main circuit covers 1057km (657 miles) in 12 stages of 58 to 117km (36 to 73 miles), starting and finishing in Cardiff and passing through Mumbles, Tenby, Fishguard, Aberaeron, Machynlleth, Porthmadog, Conwy, Wrexham, Montgomery, Hay-on-Wye and Chepstow. Six cross routes connect key points on the circuit, allowing cyclists to create shorter regional tours or split the full circuit into more manageable sections. Schedules are provided for different types of riders, making it accessible to those seeking a leisurely trip as well as those after a challenge. Route descriptions are supported by 1:200,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles for each stage, with accommodation and refreshment information throughout and GPX files available to download. Long easy-rolling stages follow both the South Wales and North Wales coasts, much of which is along traffic-free paths, with harder riding along the rockier west coast and through the low hills of the border country. A comprehensive introduction covers planning, schedules, direction of travel, getting there, accommodation, what to take, preparing your bike and a Welsh words and pronunciation guide — everything you need for a complete cycling adventure around Wales.

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