Wales offers over 200 miles (322 km) of traffic-free, family-friendly cycling paths across the country. Many routes follow old railway lines, river valleys and coastal paths, providing safe, easy riding through some of Wales’ most scenic landscapes.
We have selected some key, mainly traffic-free routes around Wales below. Your clients can choose to do the full route or choose sections, making them great additions to tours and programmes. We have also noted where you clients can hire bikes, refreshment stops and toilets.
Taff Trail
Distance: 55 miles (93 km) one way
Level: Easy to moderate
Start: Roald Dahl Plass, Cardiff Bay
End: Brecon
Bike Hire: Pedal Power, Biped Cycles
The Taff Trail follows riverside paths, old railway paths, forest paths, canals, green spaces and follows the National Cycle Route 8. The route passes through Cardiff’s parks and green spaces before reaching Castell Coch - 8 miles (13 km). It then continues through the valley towns of Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil, before heading north through mountain scenery, waterfalls and reservoirs, ending in the market town of Brecon. Some attractions along the way include Cardiff Castle, Principality Stadium, Castell Coch, Ynys Angharad War Memorial Park with a café and lido, Cyfarthfa Castle, Brecon Mountain Railway and Brecon Cathedral.
The majority of the Taff Trail is gentle and traffic-free, with surfaces ranging from smooth tarmac to gravel and forest tracks. North of Merthyr Tydfil, the route becomes more challenging, climbing through Pontsticill and onto the open moorland near Torpantau.
Refreshments:
- Lewis Arms, Tongwynlais;
- Café at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd;
- Numerous cafés, pubs and restaurants in Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Pontypridd, Merthyr Tydfil and Brecon.
Services:
- Toilet facilities are available at Cardiff Bay, Bute Park (Cardiff), Ynysangharad War Memorial Park (Pontypridd), Merthyr Tydfil town centre, and Brecon town centre;
- Additional toilets can be found at visitor attractions and cafés along the route;
- Train stations at Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, Pontypridd and Merthyr Tydfil.
Mawddach Trail
Distance: 9 miles (15 km) one way
Level: Easy
Start: Dolgellau
End: Barmouth
Bike hire: Dolgellau Cycles
The Mawddach Trail is a scenic, mainly traffic-free route in Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park. It follows a former railway line along the Mawddach Estuary and offers easy cycling with views of mountains, woodlands and water. Linking the market town of Dolgellau with the seaside resort of Barmouth.
Refreshments:
- Cafés and pubs in Dolgellau;
- George III Hotel, in Penmaenpool;
- Barmouth cafés, restaurants and pubs.
Services:
- Toilets and parking are available at Dolgellau and Barmouth.
Lôn Las Menai
Distance: 4.5 miles (6.5 km) one way
Level: Easy
Start: Caernarfon
End: Y Felinheli
Bike hire: Beics Antur, Caernarfon
Lôn Las Menai is a traffic-free route with gentle gradients and a smooth surface, linking the historic town of Caernarfon with the waterside village of Y Felinheli. Following a former railway line along the Menai Strait, the route offers easy cycling with beautiful coastal views across to Anglesey. The largely flat path passes through woodland and open green spaces, providing opportunities to spot seabirds and other wildlife along the shoreline.
Refreshments:
Felinheli
Caernarfon
Services:
- Toilets available in Y Felinheli by the Garddfon Inn and in Caernarfon.
Lôn Eifion
Distance: 12.5 miles (20 km) one way
Level: Easy to moderate
Start: Caernarfon
End: Bryncir
Bike hire: Beics Antur, Caernarfon
Lôn Eifion is a peaceful, traffic-free route, with smooth surfaces and gentle gradients, following a former railway line between Caernarfon and Bryncir. Running through the heart of Gwynedd, it offers easy cycling through open countryside, farmland and woodland, with impressive views towards the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). The route is rich in wildlife, with opportunities to spot birds and other native species along the way.
Lôn Eifion links directly with Lôn Menai at Caernarfon, creating one of the longest continuous traffic-free cycling experiences in North Wales.
Your clients can also choose to take the bikes on the Welsh Highland Railway from Beics Antur (at no extra charge) and cycle back to Caernarfon along Lôn Eifion, but check with the railway to see if there is space available.
Refreshments:
Cafés and restaurants in Caernarfon including:
- The Anglesey Arms;
- Bonta Deli;
- Reuben’s Café and Coffee House;
- La Marina Cei;
- Galeri Caernarfon;
- Refreshment stops in villages along the route.
Services:
- Toilets and parking available at both start and end of the route with additional rest areas and access points along the trail.
Elan Valley Trail
Distance: Full route is approximately 18 miles (29 km) but there are shorter loops available, around 6-12 miles (10-20 km).
Level: Easy to moderate
Start / end: Elan Valley Visitor Centre near Rhayader
Bike hire: Elan Valley Visitor Centre
The Elan Valley Trail offers a traffic-free ride following quiet routes around the valley’s iconic reservoirs and dams. Cyclists can enjoy beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife and wide-open views. There are gentle gradients with some steady uphill sections but no major climbs.
Refreshments:
Services:
- There are toilets, parking, picnic areas, shop and visitor information available at the Elan Valley Visitor Centre;
- Additional toilets and parking around the dams and reservoirs.
Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
Distance: 36 miles (58 km) one way
Level: Easy
Start: Brecon Basin, near the town or Brecon.
End: Five Locks, Cwmbran
Bike hire: Biped Cycles. Bike hire also available at Goytre Wharf
The Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal offers a peaceful, mainly traffic-free ride along one of Wales’ most scenic waterways with gentle gradients and easy-going terrain. Following the canal towpath through the Usk Valley and Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park, the route passes through villages, historic canal side features and beautiful countryside. The canal is also a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot herons, red kites, buzzards, dragonflies and other waterside species along the way.
Refreshments and services:
Pubs, cafes and toilets are available along the route including key stops such as Talybont-on-Usk, Llangynidr, Llangattock, Gilwern, Goytre Wharf Visitor Centre, Pontymoile basin and Five Locks, Cwmbran.
Millennium Coastal Path
Distance: 13 miles (23 km) one way
Level: Easy
Start: Llanelli
End: Pembrey Country Park
Bike hire: Ski Pembrey, Pembrey Country Park
The Millennium Coastal Path is a flat, traffic-free route stretching along the Carmarthenshire coastline between Llanelli and Pembrey Country Park. Following the edge of Carmarthen Bay, it offers easy cycling with sea views, beaches, wetlands, marinas and nature reserves along the way. Its smooth surface and gentle terrain make it ideal for families, leisure cyclists and those looking for a relaxed ride by the coast.
For a full day out your clients can choose to continue into Pembrey Country Park.
Refreshments:
- St Elli’s Bay Bistro, Brasserie & Gelateria on Llanelli seafront;
- Harbour Light Tearoom in Burry Port;
- Crazie Crepes Café in Burry Port (known as Pink Cafe).
Services:
- There are toilets, cafés and parking along the route including at Llanelli Wetland Centre;
- Train stations at Llanelli, Bynea and Pembrey and Burry Port.
Tywi Valley Path
Distance: 13 miles (21 km) one way
Level: Easy
Start: Carmarthen
End: Llandeilo
Bike hire: Brompton Bike Hire, Carmarthen Bus Station
The Tywi Valley Path is a traffic-free route following a former railway line between Carmarthen and Llandeilo. Running through the heart of the Tywi Valley, it offers easy cycling through the countryside, riverside meadows and peaceful rural landscapes. Along the way, cyclists can enjoy views of landmarks including Paxton’s Tower, Dryslwyn Castle and Merlin’s Hill, with opportunities to take a detour and visit the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Aberglasney Gardens and Newton House.
Refreshments:
- Wright’s, Nantgaredig;
- Stacey’s Kitchen, Abergwili;
- Independent cafés and eateries in Carmarthen at the western end of the path;
- Boutique cafés, tearooms and food outlets in Llandeilo at the eastern end of the path;
- Useful link - Food & Drink - Discover Carmarthenshire.
Services:
- Public toilet facilities are available in Carmarthen and Llandeilo;
- Train stations at Carmarthen and Llandeilo.
