The Lon Las Cymru follows the spine of Wales from north to south taking in the best of Snowdonia (Eyri), Mid Wales and the Black Mountains before arriving in the capital, Cardiff or the Welsh/English border at Chepstow. There is plenty of choice of cycle friendly accommodation at the independent hostels and bunkhouses along the route. Lon Las Cymru follows NCN Route 8 from Holyhead to Cardiff or diverts to NCN route 42 for those heading through the Black Mountains to Chepstow. Independent Hostels provide great value self catering accommodation, often with meals available nearby. A great resource with many offering cycle storage B&B and bed linen to ensure you can travel as light as possible.
Accommodation along the Lon Las Cymru Cycle Route
Accommodation on the Lon Las Cymru cycle route.
Lon Las Cymru runs down the whole length of Wales for 250 miles from Holyhead to Chepstow or Cardiff. It is one of the toughest of all the long distance cycle routes. It follows a mixture of roads and shorter traffic-free sections. The route follows the spine of Wales from north to south taking in the best of Snowdonia (Eyri), Mid Wales, and the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) before arriving in the capital, Cardiff, or for the more rural option finishing in Chepstow on the Welsh/English Border. It is considered harder than the Coast to Coast in England, due to the difficulty of the mountainous. terrain.
The Route
The route takes in quiet lanes and family-friendly off-road cycle paths and takes you over the three mountain ranges of Snowdonia (Eyri), The Cambrian, and the Black mountains. National Cycle Network route 8 takes riders the whole way from Cardiff to Holyhead whilst those starting or finishing on the Welsh border use NCN route 42.
Traveling from south to north on Lon Las Cymru, the route takes at least four days. Some recommend taking it slower so you really get to enjoy the sights and sounds of Wales. While the famous valleys are beautiful, some of the industrial architecture steals the show. You’ll pass viaducts, disused train stations, and water wheels, all a reminder of the area’s industrial past.
Lon Las Cymru takes you to some of the most beautiful parts of Wales
After passing through the Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) you’ll enter Mid Wales. The most underexplored part of the country by tourists. This middle section of Lon Las Cymru has the least climbing metres, allowing for a more comfortable day in the saddle. With your lungs and legs not burning as much you’ll get more of a chance to take in this underrated part of Wales. Maybe the only reason more people don’t come here is because of how beautiful the rest of the country is.
The next region on the route is Snowdonia (Eyri), the most strenuous part of Lon Las Cymru. The climb out of Aberllefenni is very difficult, especially when carrying all your gear. The scenery in Snowdonia is some of the most beautiful in the world, on a clear day, the views from the top of some of the hills are jaw-dropping.
The end of the journey is in Holyhead, the largest town in Angelsey and no Lon Las Cymru is complete without dipping your wheels into the waters of the Irish Sea. The route has taken you through the most beautiful, mountainous countryside of Wales. Now is the time to put your feet up.
