Cycle Lôn Las Cymru and travel the length of Wales on the country's preeminent long-distance cycle route, from the capital Cardiff or the historic border town of Chepstow to the ferry port of Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey. Translating loosely as Wales' Green Lane, this 255-mile (410km) journey through the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains, Cambrian Mountains, and Snowdonia National Park follows quiet lanes, traffic-free paths, and former railway lines through the lush green heart of Wales.

Suitable for first-time and experienced long-distance cyclists alike, this trusted Cicerone guidebook describes the full route from south to north in 5 stages of 38–70 miles (61–112km), with flexible alternative schedules allowing you to complete the journey in 4 to 7 days to suit your fitness and available time. Starts from both Cardiff and Chepstow are fully described.

• Cycle Lôn Las Cymru in 5 stages from Cardiff or Chepstow to Holyhead, passing through the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains, the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales, and the spectacular landscapes of Snowdonia National Park on the approach to Anglesey.
• Choose a schedule to suit your ability and ambition, with flexible itineraries ranging from a 4-day challenge to a more leisurely 7-day ride, with both leisure and challenge schedules described throughout.
• Discover the highlights of Lôn Las Cymru, including the Wye Valley and Vale of Ewyas, the remote Cambrian Mountains between Llanidloes and Dolgellau, the mountain scenery of Snowdonia, the walled town of Caernarfon, and the Menai Strait on the final approach to Holyhead.
• Navigate with confidence using 1:200,000 maps and gradient profiles included for each stage, alongside GPX files available to download for the full route.
• Plan your Lôn Las Cymru cycling trip with comprehensive practical advice on preparation, what to take, baggage transfer options, accommodation, eating, and cycle shops along the route, with a full accommodation appendix for every stage.
• Choose your preferred start point with full route descriptions provided from both Cardiff and Chepstow, and with guidance on riding the route in either direction to suit your travel arrangements.

Cycle the length of Wales with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the valleys of South Wales to the shores of Anglesey, Lôn Las Cymru is the essential Welsh cycling adventure.

Cycling Lôn Las Cymru – Quick Facts

Location: Wales – Cardiff or Chepstow to Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey
Start point: Cardiff or Chepstow
End point: Holyhead, Isle of Anglesey
Route covered: 255 miles (410km) from Cardiff; 242 miles (390km) from Chepstow
Number of stages: 5 stages (38–70 miles/61–112km each)
Direction: South to north (north to south also possible)
Typical duration: 4–7 days depending on schedule chosen
Difficulty: Suitable for first-time and experienced long-distance cyclists; mountainous sections in Mid Wales but gradients are never severe; suitable for all bikes
Terrain: Quiet country lanes, traffic-free paths, and former railway lines through the heart of Wales
Navigation/mapping: 1:200,000 maps and gradient profiles included for each stage; GPX files available to download
Key centres: Cardiff, Chepstow, Glasbury, Llanidloes, Dolgellau, Caernarfon, Holyhead
Highlights: Wye Valley, Vale of Ewyas, Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains, Cambrian Mountains, Snowdonia National Park, Caernarfon, Menai Strait, Isle of Anglesey
Accommodation & logistics: Full accommodation appendix, cycle shop listings, baggage transfer information, and practical advice on getting to and from the start and finish points
Best time to go: April to October

Author Highlight

“Travelling through such wonderful countryside by bike is hugely satisfying both for those who want to cover the miles quickly and those preferring a more leisurely pace to watch wildlife and explore attractions along the way. There are plenty of pretty villages and interesting towns where you can top up the energy levels in local cafés and interesting shops where you can replenish supplies.”

- Richard Barrett, author of Cycling Lôn Las Cymru

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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