Cycling Lôn Las Cymru: Wales north to south

Opened in 1995, Lôn Las Cymru is one of the toughest of all long distance routes on the National Cycle Network (NCN). Sustrans describe it as a "challenge" route but it's short enough to be completed in a week by a self supported cyclist. With over 5,000m of climbing, the rider will need to be fairly fit and comfortable riding in often remote locations.

Lôn Las Cymru crosses three mountain ranges (Snowdonia, Cambrian Mountains and The Brecon Beacons) it is lumpy but the rewards are certainly worth it.

There are two finishing points, Cardiff which is all on NCR 8 or Chepstow which requires a detour onto NCR 42 but does take the rider across the stunning Gospel Pass over the Black Mountains. I decided to stick to NCR 8 all the way and finish in Cardiff but I did consider the Chepstow finish as it would have been easy for me to cycle home to Bristol from there.



This is an account of my trip in July 2021 north to south - Holyhead to Cardiff over 250 miles / 400km across some stunning countryside and visiting some lovely places along the way.