Cycling

Find out where you can cycle in Wales and what information you can get to plan your ride

Coronavirus update

Our sites and most visitor facilities are open but, under the current coronavirus restrictions in Wales, this is intended only for the use of people who live locally.

You are strongly advised – in line with current Welsh Government regulations – not to drive to any of our sites to exercise unless you have specific health or mobility issues.

We have changed the normal route for some of our trails to help you maintain social distancing – please follow signs on site.

Where can I cycle in Wales?

Whether you fancy pedalling along a quiet cycle track or embarking on a more challenging ride, cycling is a great way to enjoy the outdoors.

As well as cycling on the road, there are plenty of other places to cycle in Wales.

Read on to find out where you can cycle.

Cycle tracks: Cycle tracks are public routes which have been created especially for cycling (walking and horse riding are allowed on some of them, too)
Public rights of way: Cycling is permitted on bridleways and byways. These are open to other users such as walkers and horse riders, too
Long distance walks: You can cycle on some parts of the three National Trails in Wales and on some parts of the Wales Coast Path
Woodlands: There are cycle routes, mountain bike trails and forest roads in some of the woodlands managed by Natural Resources Wales

What information can I get on cycling?

Cycle tracks

Cycle tracks are public routes which have been created especially for cycling (walking and horse riding is allowed on some of them, too).

The National Cycle Network includes many of these cycle routes – see the Sustrans website for more information.

Many of the Sustrans routes go on roads through the forests or near the national nature reserves which are managed by Natural Resources Wales.

Wales Coast Path

From the outskirts of Chester in the north to Chepstow in the south, the Wales Coast Path provides a continuous walking route around the whole of Wales.

Several parts of the Wales Coast Path are also sections of the National Cycle Network.

These sections are mostly flat, traffic free and on a hard surface.

See the cycling section on the Wales Coast Path website to find out more.

Cycle trails to castles, churches and chapels

The Visit Wales website contains lots of useful information about cycling, including 10 of the best walks and cycle rides to take in the sights of castles, churches and chapels.

You can also see these routes on the online route planning and sharing website Trail-zilla.

Cycling in woodlands managed by Natural Resources Wales

The woodlands and forests managed by Natural Resources Wales are home to some of the most famous mountain biking trails in Wales – see our mountain biking page for more information.

If you are looking for a more sedate cycle ride, you can cycle on any forest roads.

There are cycle routes or other facilities for cycling at these woodlands and forests:

Coed Nercwys Forest, near Mold has a good network of fairly flat roads which allows access on foot, horseback or bicycle throughout this coniferous woodland
Hiraethog Forest, near Denbigh has many miles of quiet forest roads, ideal for cycling, and bikes can be hired from the Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water Visitor Centre to use on the trail around the Alwen Reservoir
Newborough Forest, Anglesey is home to the circular Corsica Cycling Trail which follows roads through areas of mixed forest with views of the estuary
Afan Forest Park, near Port Talbot is the starting point for a low level cycle way along the wide flat route of the old railway lines that once carried passengers and coal the length of Afan Valley
Crychan Forest (Halfway car park), near Llandovery is the starting point for a cycle trail along forest roads with gentle gradients and over the waters of Nant y Dresglen

If you have a smartphone, you can download our free PlacesToGo app which includes all of these cycling routes along with information on recreation facilities.