The Welsh town of Aberystwyth and its surrounding areas have a lot to offer cyclists. With undulating country roads, rocky mountain tracks, and dedicated cycling lanes, there’s something on offer for every type of cyclist.
Aberystwyth is the perfect base to explore the stunning landscapes of the west coast of Wales by bike. It’s surrounded by amazing landscapes that are home to Wales’s best known, and most highly regarded cycling routes. Keep reading to discover more about these amazing cycling routes, and why next time you visit Aberystwyth, you should remember to bring your bike!
1: Ystwyth trail to Tregaron – for the whole family
This leisurely bike ride from Aberystwyth to Tregaron will take you from Cardigan Bay to the Teifi Valley. The ride is along the Ystwyth trail: a dedicated cycle route and footpath, running along the tracks of the old Western Railway Line. The route is very easy to navigate and features smooth terrain with minimal climbs. If you’re a beginner, or you have children, this route is perfect for avoiding cars on narrow country lanes. At 20 miles, it will take you just over an hour complete. If you don’t fancy cycling back, there are plenty of bike-friendly buses you can catch that run from Tregaron to Aberystwyth. See bus timetables here: https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/travel-roads-parking
2: Rheidol cycleway to Devil’s bridge – a scenic route to a historical landmark
This cycle route is incredibly easy to access and starts right in Aberystwyth’s harbour. The route features both quiet country lanes and dedicated cycle paths. You’ll be treated to fantastic views along the entire length of the route, with standout features like Cwn Rheidol Reservoir along the way. Near the end of the route, you’ll descend into the breath-taking Rheidol Valley and be able to enjoy the historical Devil’s bridge and its waterfall upon completion.
3: Lon Cambria – for an epic adventure across the width of Wales
Lon Cambria is a 113-mile cycle route from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury, a short distance from the Welsh border. Lon Cambria is part of the large national cycle route 81, which continues all the way to Wolverhampton. Being a 113-mile route, this is not one we can recommend for beginners or children. It’s truly an epic ride, and if you plan on completing it in a day, it will demand an expert fitness level, typically taking about 10 hours to complete. If you’re up to it, it’s a fantastic thing to do; you’ll travel through towns like Newtown and Llanidloes as you cross the width of Wales whilst experiencing the vast green countryside that characterises the country.
4 & 5: Aeron Trail and Teifi (Cardi Bach) Trail – short routes for exploring south of Aberystwyth
These trails are situated further along Cardigan Bay, just a short drive from Aberystwyth. The Aeron trail is just a short 2-mile route along designated cycle paths and quiet country lanes. You’ll start at the harbour of the town Aberaeron, and follow the river Aarpm up through the vale of Aeron, eventually finishing at Llaneracharon, where you’ll be able to enjoy a historic national trust property.
The Teifi trail is a gentle 5-mile route that runs along the southern banks of the Teifi marshes, taking you from Cardigan to Cilgerran. The route is formed of quiet cycle lanes that run along the old ‘Cardi Bach’ railway line. Upon arriving in Cilgerran, you’ll have the opportunity to explore castle Cilgerran.
Summary.
That concludes our look at some of the best cycle routes Aberystwyth and Wales, in general, has to offer. Wales has something for you, whether you’re a professional cyclist looking to push yourself or simply after some leisurely cycle lanes for you and your family.
To enjoy these bike rides, we know you’ll need a base of operations – so if you’re looking for places to stay in Aberystwyth, Park Lodge Hotel is just the ticket. We’re ideally located as a base to explore all the stunning scenery, roads, and trails the county of Ceredigion has to offer. With an in-house restaurant serving delicious, locally sourced food, we think it’s the perfect place to rest and refuel between rides.