Cycling Holidays Wales

You will arrive in Cardiff, where the impressive Cardiff Castle offers a glimpse into Welsh heritage. Nearby, Bute Park provides a peaceful retreat along the River Taff. You may explore the National Museum, home to Welsh art and natural history. For lunch, you can try local favorites at Cardiff Market. In the afternoon, the lively Cardiff Bay offers waterfront views, with landmarks such as the Wales Millennium Centre and the Senedd.

You will follow the Taff Trail north through parklands and woodlands. Along the way, Castell Coch peeks through the trees like a fairytale fortress. Pontypridd can make a pleasant lunch stop with its historic bridges and Ynysangharad Park. As the valley narrows, you will arrive in Merthyr Tydfil, a town rich in industrial heritage. If time allows, you may visit Cyfarthfa Castle Museum, a Gothic mansion telling Merthyr’s story,

Today will be a shorter ride with a steady climb. Leaving Merthyr Tydfil, you will continue on the Taff Trail into Brecon Beacons National Park, gradually ascending Torpantau Pass (440 m) along an old railway bed through forests and past reservoirs. A flowing descent will take you to Talybont Reservoir and onto the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal towpath, a peaceful, tree-lined route leading into Brecon. This Georgian market town offers charming streets, riverfront views, and the historic Brecon Cathedral.

Leaving Brecon, you will cycle north on quiet backroads, passing through Lower Chapel and Upper Chapel, with scenic views over Powys. A rolling route leads to Builth Wells, a market town on the River Wye, where you can stop for lunch and explore its historic bridges. Continuing north, the route gradually climbs into the Cambrian Mountains, with wilder landscapes and open countryside. A final scenic descent will bring you to Rhayader 

Today will be a big day riding through the Cambrian Mountains, one of Wales’ most remote regions. Leaving Rhayader, you will climb through rolling hills to the Wye-Severn watershed, then descend into Llangurig, Wales’ highest village. A steady ascent will take you into the Cambrian uplands. After crossing the route’s highest point, a long descent through the Dyfi Valley will lead to Machynlleth, a historic market town where you can explore or unwind at a local pub or café.

Today, you will enter Snowdonia’s southern ranges, leaving mid-Wales moors for rugged mountains. From Machynlleth, the route climbs through the Dyfi Forest and Aberllefenni quarry, a tough ascent gaining nearly 400 meters with breathtaking views. A sweeping descent will lead to a minor road skirting Cadair Idris, where you can take in its towering summit. The ride ends in Dolgellau, a charming stone-built town at the foot of the mountains, with the Mawddach Estuary hinting at tomorrow’s route.

From Dolgellau, you will follow the stunning Mawddach Trail, a flat, scenic ride along the estuary with views of Cadair Idris. Crossing the Barmouth Bridge over tidal waters will be an unforgettable highlight. The coastal road leads north with the Irish Sea on one side and the Rhinog mountains on the other. In Harlech, you may detour up to its UNESCO-listed castle for sweeping sea and Snowdonia views. Rolling terrain will bring you to Porthmadog, a lively harbor town and home to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland railways. 

Leaving Porthmadog, you will ride inland through Tremadog and Penygroes, gradually ascending toward Snowdonia’s edge. The ride then joins Lôn Eifion, a scenic 20 km traffic-free path leading effortlessly into Caernarfon. Approaching the town, the imposing Caernarfon Castle comes into view, a UNESCO-listed fortress. The medieval old town offers a charming setting for your final night on the mainland.

From Caernarfon, you will follow the shoreline path to Y Felinheli and Bangor, crossing to Anglesey via the Menai Bridge with stunning views of the Menai Strait. The final stretch across Anglesey’s gentle countryside offers a breezy ride on quiet roads, with possible detours to Llangefni, a classic market town. As you near Holyhead, the terrain becomes more coastal and slightly hillier. Rolling into Holyhead, you will have cycled the length of Wales! 

Your journey will conclude in Holyhead, a historic port town on Anglesey’s west coast. Before departing, you may explore St. Cybi’s Church, a 13th-century church uniquely built within the walls of a Roman fort. For breathtaking coastal scenery, you can visit South Stack Lighthouse, perched on a rocky island with panoramic views of the Irish Sea. Whether you continue your journey by ferry to Ireland or take a train back to the mainland, Holyhead’s rich history and coastal beauty provide a memorable farewell to your adventure through Wales.