A guidebook to cycling the Lon Las Cymru cycle route from either Cardiff or Chepstow to Holyhead. Covering 410km (255 miles), this long-distance cycle through the heart of Wales takes 5 days and is suitable for both first-time and experienced long-distance cyclists.

The route is described from south to north in 5 stages, each between 61 and 112km (38–70 miles) in length. Starts from either Cardiff or Chepstow are described and alternate schedule options are provided to allow you to adapt the ride to suit you. 

• 1:200,000 maps and profiles included for each stage
• GPX files available to download
• Refreshment and accommodation information given for each stage
• Suitable for all bikes 
• Information on cycle shops along the route

Map key

Route summary table

Overview map

Ride planner from Cardiff

Ride planner from Chepstow

Suggested schedule summary from Cardiff

Suggested schedule summary from Chepstow

Introduction

Why Lôn Las Cymru?

How tough is it?

Which direction to ride?

Selecting a schedule

Getting there

First and last nights

When to ride

Accommodation

Baggage transfer

What to take

Preparing your bike

Eating

Phones and Wi-Fi

Emergencies

Waymarking

Maps

Using this guide

Lôn Las Cymru

Stage 1 Cardiff to Glasbury

Stage 1a Chepstow to Glasbury

Stage 2 Glasbury to Llanidloes

Stage 3 Llanidloes to Dolgellau

Stage 4 Dolgellau to Caernarfon

Stage 5 Caernarfon to Holyhead

Appendix A Cycle shops

Appendix B Accommodation

Appendix C Useful contacts

Appendix D What to take

Appendix E Welsh words and pronunciation

Appendix F Selected additional reading

Seasons

The best time to go is between April and October when the days are longer and the weather is at its best.

Centres

The route passes through many of the main towns in the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains, Cambrian Mountains and Snowdonia National Park.

Difficulty

The route can be ridden as a leisure ride or as a challenge and there are schedules for both types of rider. There are mountainous sections in Mid Wales but gradients are never severe and some, such as that up the Vale of Ewyas, barely perceptible until the very top.

Must See

Lôn Las Cymru runs from Cardiff or Chepstow to Holyhead, passing through the heart of Wales. Translating loosely as Wales' Green Lane, it is the preeminent cycle route in Wales, passing through lush countryside, and following quiet lanes and former railway lines.

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