Cycling in Mid Wales

Mid Wales is one of the best places in Britain to ride a bike. The roads are quiet, the old railway lines have become traffic-free trails, and the forests hold some of the country's first mountain bike trail centres. In July 2027, stage three of the Tour de France starts in Welshpool. This guide covers the best routes across Powys, Ceredigion and Southern Eryri (Southern Snowdonia), from easy family rides to multi-day adventures. Local cycle routes and bike hire are listed below.

Traffic-free trails

• Mawddach Trail, Southern Eryri. About nine miles on an old railway line along the Mawddach estuary from Dolgellau to Barmouth, finishing across the timber railway bridge. Flat, almost all traffic-free, with Cadair Idris above.
• Ystwyth Trail, Ceredigion. A 20-mile trail from Aberystwyth to Tregaron, partly on the track of the old Great Western line. The off-road sections suit families; the full route is for experienced riders.
• Elan Valley Trail, Powys. Follows the route of the old Birmingham Corporation railway past the reservoirs and dams near Rhayader. Mostly traffic-free and gently graded, with e-bike-friendly sections.
• Montgomery Canal towpath. Flat riding along the restored canal near Welshpool and Newtown.

More easy routes are on our family cycling page.

Road rides

• Rheidol Cycleway, Ceredigion. 17 miles from Aberystwyth harbour up the Rheidol valley to Devil's Bridge, mainly on quiet lanes, with a very steep final climb.
• Radnor Ring, Powys. An 84-mile circular route around old Radnorshire, signed mainly as National Cycle Route 825, with lanes, valleys and mountain roads, and several stations on the Heart of Wales Line along the way.
• Montgomery Cycle Trails, Powys. Five waymarked rides from Montgomery on quiet border lanes, including the Llandyssil and Abermule loop, the Hendomen and Dolydd Hafren route, and the Abermule and Bettws Cedewain ride past two castles.
• Welshpool and Berriew, Powys. A 24-mile loop from the Tour de France start town on country lanes, with a detour to Powis Castle.
• Irfon View and Three Rivers road rides, Powys. Two rides from Llanwrtyd Wells: an easy family ride by the River Irfon, and a more challenging loop through the Irfon, Cammarch and Cnyffiad valleys.
• Crickhowell Blue and Red routes, Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons). A loop from Crickhowell and a harder forest route on the flanks of the Black Mountains.
• Aberaeron, Ceredigion. A two-mile traffic-free track to Llanerchaeron, and longer loops inland and along the coast to New Quay.

Long-distance routes

• Lôn Las Cymru, National Cycle Route 8. The north to south route across Wales, passing Dolgellau, Machynlleth, Llanidloes, Rhayader and Builth Wells before crossing Bannau Brycheiniog to Brecon.
• Lôn Cambria, National Cycle Route 81. 113 miles from Aberystwyth over the Cambrian Mountains and past the Elan Valley reservoirs to Rhayader, Llanidloes, Newtown, Welshpool and Shrewsbury.
• Lôn Teifi, National Cycle Route 82. From Aberystwyth south through Ceredigion towards Cardigan and Fishguard.

Mountain biking

• Bwlch Nant yr Arian, near Aberystwyth. Waymarked trails from family loops to long red and black routes, with a lakeside cafe and daily red kite feeding.
• Coed y Brenin, near Dolgellau. Where trail centre riding began in Britain, with a visitor centre, cafe and bike shop.
• Trans Cambrian Way. A 108-mile mountain bike route from Knighton to Dyfi Junction with about 13,000 feet of climbing. Most groups take three days.

See our mountain biking page for more.

Ride the Tour de France route

Stage three of the 2027 Tour de France runs from Welshpool through the Newtown area, Llandrindod Wells, Builth Wells and Brecon on its way to Cardiff. Our guide to riding the Tour de France route suggests how to ride the Mid Wales section, and our Tour de France accommodation guide covers places to stay.

What's the best time of year to cycle in Mid Wales?

May to September brings the longest days and the driest weather, and the trails are at their best. Spring and autumn are quieter, with good colours. The traffic-free trails are open all year, but the mountain roads can be icy in winter.

Where can I hire a bike in Mid Wales?

Bike hire, including e-bikes, is available in several towns and at trail centres, often seasonally. Look for cycle hire and guided rides in the listings below, and book ahead in the school holidays.

Plan a cycling trip

Our itineraries include a five-day cycling week, a family cycling trip and a ride along the Tour de France route. Many places to stay have secure bike storage; ask when you book.