Bike
Exploration
10 of the best bikepacking routes in Wales
Looking to explore new spots on two wheels while spending a night or two under the stars? The Welsh countryside is calling. Sample some of the country's best riding in these epic bikepacking routes.
When it comes to bikepacking in the UK, Wales is a treasure trove of deserted gravel roads, flowing singletrack, challenging mountain climbs and sparkling clear rivers, all interspersed by friendly market towns and quaint villages ready for you and your friends to explore.
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Bikepacking can mean different things to different people, but typically it involves travelling by bike with at least one overnighter. Whether you choose to be totally self-supported and carry all your own gear, or make use of guest houses or even hotels along the way is totally up to you.
Wild camping isn’t legal in Wales, so if you’re looking to bed down in your bivvy bag or pitch your tent along the way, you’ll need to choose either campsites or bothies, of which Wales boasts quite a few. It’s important to follow fundamental principles including Leave No Trace and the Bothy Code when it comes to enjoying the outdoors though, keeping these wonderful natural assets in prime condition for many generations to come.
Wales is renowned for its mountain biking, and most of the routes you’ll find below are predominantly off-road. If your idea of fun sees things kept a bit smoother, don't despair: Lôn Las Cymru is a popular slice of tarmac that runs the length of the country for riders that prefer to stick to the road.
1. Claerddu Bothy, Cambrian Mountains
This idyllic bothy is perfect for an overnight stay
© Katherine Moore
A loop from the town of Rhayader, this route takes you deep into the Cambrian Mountains – a wonderfully remote and barren part of Mid-Wales also known as ‘the desert of Wales’. After passing through the gorgeous Elan Valley and along the gravelly road skirting Claerddu Reservoir, your home for the night is possibly one of the most luxurious bothies around; Claerddu. With an outside flushing toilet, well-stocked log pile and even a gas oven, there aren’t many places like this to stay!
On the second day, ride through the gorgeous woodland of the Hafod Estate and head back to Rhayader along the shores of Penygarreg Reservoir on the Elan Valley Trail, before taking the steep climb over the summit of Pen y Bwlch on a singletrack bridleway.
2. Triban Trail
This three-stage trip is perfect for a long weekend of exploring
© Katherine Moore
A three-stage bikepacking route taking in the underrated Clwydian Range and Llandegla Forest, the Triban Trail is definitely one you’ll want a mountain bike for. Take bridleway tracks to circumnavigate the spectacular Llyn Brenin to the west on the first stage, before bedding down for the night at the campsite at The Crown in the village of Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr.
The second stage takes you along the southern part of the loop, finishing with a lap of the trails at Llandegla Forest Park – a brilliant trail centre with a cracking cafe, too. There’s a campsite nearby in the village of Pen-y-stryt.
For the third stage, you’ll loop over the Clwydian Mountains, yielding mighty views, before returning to your starting point in picturesque Ruthin.
3. Trans Cambrian Way
The TCW is an epic pilgrimage from border to coast
© Katherine Moore
A staple for bikepackers in Wales, the Trans Cambrian Way cuts across the centre of the country – from Newport on the Shropshire border to Dyfi Junction on the Irish Sea – totalling 109 miles (176 km). Don’t let that relatively short distance fool you; this is a really tough route, especially in adverse weather conditions, and you’ll typically need around two to three days to conquer it.
There’s plenty of campsites along the route, as well as bothies including Claerddu and Nant Rhys, or you can pack light and stay in rural guest houses if you prefer. A mountain bike would be a clear advantage on a hilly route like this, although it is doable on a gravel bike if you’re happy for a spot of hike-a-bike in some sections.
4. Grwyne Fawr Bothy, The Black Mountains
Grwyne Fawr bothy and amazing views are the highlights of this A-to-B trip
© Tim Wilkey
This A-to-B route connects Abergavenny and Hereford along the Welsh border. Both locations have good rail links so there’s no need to worry about transport to the start and from the end, while your bed for the night is perhaps one of the smallest bothies around; Grwyne Fawr. Nestled high in the Black Mountains next to the reservoir that gives its name, this bothy can house a maximum of three people, and is pretty popular too, so avoid at weekends or the summer holidays if you can.
Taking in lush green bridleways, you’ll climb up from Abergavenny on a route parallel to the famous Gospel Pass road to reach the bothy, before descending down to the book-lover’s town on Hay-on-Wye the next morning, loosely following the River Wye into historic Hereford to complete your trip.
5. Sarn Helen
Although the exact route is disputed, the Sarn Helen is a phenomenal route
© Steve McGregor
Taking its name from Saint Elen of Caernarfon, a Celtic saint who supposedly ordered the construction of roads in Wales back in the 4th century, Sarn Helen is a long-distance route steeped in mystery. Following the way of said ancient Roman road that has in parts been lost, and other parts modernised, the exact route is disputed. One thing that isn’t up for debate though is the fact that this is truly a phenomenal trip, and one that spans the length of Wales, from Conwy on the north coast, to Swansea in the south.
You’ll cross the peaks of Snowdonia National Park, pass through the UK’s first trail centre at Coed-y-Brenin, ride over the Cambrian Mountains, and traverse the Brecon Beacons on this epic week-long trip that’ll give you a real flavour of the diverse landscapes of this country.
6. Lôn Las Cymru
Prefer sticking to the tarmac? The Lôn Las Cymru is the one for you
© James Craven
Another end-to-end crossing of Wales, Lôn Las Cymru keeps to paved roads so is ideal for road-based bikepacking. Totalling 253 miles (403 km) from the north-western tip of Wales at Holyhead on the Isle of Anglesey down to the capital city of Cardiff in the south, this is a route that typically takes between four and seven days to complete.
You’ll find numerous campsites and towns along this well-established route (signposted as National Cycle Route 8) as well as some challenging hills.
7. Gower Peninsula
This exploration shows off the best of South Wales' rugged coast
© Alan Hughes
Widely known for its dramatic coastal scenery, wide sandy beaches and rugged moorland, the Gower Peninsula makes for a prime bikepacking location. This loop measures 47 miles (76 km), should be rideable for most over a couple of days, and is easily accessible from the train station in Swansea. Explore Clyne Valley Woods, the ridgeline singletrack with views of Worm’s Head, take a dip at Oxwich Bay and enjoy a meal in one of the charming pubs before a night in the great outdoors in one of the many campsites on the Peninsula.
8. Preseli Hills
Expect hills throughout this west Wales workout
© Dylan Moore
Down at the south-west tip of Wales, the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire are a brilliant place to explore over a weekend. This route is a loop from the gorgeous coastal town of Fishguard, and uses quiet country lanes and bridleways to lead you into the hills that give the region its name.
Along the tops you’ll pass over the peaks of Foel Eryr, Foel Drygarn, Foel Feddau, Carn Menyn and past Bedd Arthur, which is believed to be the final resting place of King Arthur. On a clear day, you can even see as far as Ireland. You’ll find quite a few campsites in this area too, which help to make this choice a great weekend break.
9. Brecon Beacons
This National Park is an ideal location for a spot of bikepacking
© Katherine Moore
This two-stage loop makes for a corking weekend bikepacking trip in the spectacular Brecon Beacons National Park in South Wales. You’ll start at Blaenavon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site protecting this landscape that used to be at the heart of the coal, steel and iron-working industries. The Trefil gravel road leads you up into the Beacons, past the cliffs of the old quarries, and then down to the peaceful Pontsticill Reservoir.
After the gravelly road past Talybont Reservoir, choose to either camp in Talybont or stay a night in the Youth Hostel there, before returning the next day to Blaenavon via the peaceful Monmouthshire and Avon Canal.
10. Cardiff to Cwmcarn Forest
Although possible in one day, this route is more enjoyable over two
© Katherine Moore
Although this belter of a route, put together by Cardiff-based photography collective ForTheHellOfIt.cc can be ridden in one (rather long) day, it’s a great off-road route to enjoy at a more leisurely pace over a couple of days.
It heads north-east from the Welsh capital to reach the wide and flowing gravel roads of Cwmcarn Forest, which boasts an excellent trail centre that will make it a familiar name for many mountain bikers. Choose from camping or even glamping here overnight before taking a series of singletrack bridleways and brilliant byways back down to sea level and civilisation the following day.
