At a glance
10 cycling routes — from the traffic-free Mawddach Trail (families) to Coed y Brenin's world-class mountain bike trails and the 250-mile Lôn Las Cymru long-distance route. Road, gravel and off-road options for every level.
About cycling in North Wales
North Wales has a cycling landscape that ranges from the pancake-flat Mawddach estuary trackbed to some of the UK's most technically demanding mountain bike trails. Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau was the first purpose-built mountain bike trail centre in the UK, opened in 1995, and remains one of the finest; its black-grade Beast of Brenin is considered one of the best trail rides in Britain.
For families and leisure cyclists, North Wales has an excellent network of traffic-free routes on former railway trackbeds and canal towpaths. The Mawddach Trail follows the old GWR trackbed for 9.5 miles from Dolgellau to Barmouth — one of the most scenic flat cycling routes in Wales. Lôn Eifion uses the former Pwllheli branch line between Caernarfon and the Llyn Peninsula. The Llangollen Canal towpath provides waterside cycling from Wrexham into the World Heritage Site.
For road cyclists, the lanes of Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula offer quiet, rolling cycling with sea views. The Horseshoe Pass above Llangollen (A542) is one of North Wales's most iconic road climbs. The approaches to the Llanberis Pass and Ogwen Valley provide serious high-mountain road riding for experienced cyclists.
Top 8 cycling routes
Cycling by region
- Snowdonia
- Mawddach Trail (Dolgellau–Barmouth), Coed y Brenin MTB, Lôn Las Cymru, Lôn Eifion (Caernarfon), Gwydyr Forest (Betws-y-Coed), Bala Lake road circuit.
- Anglesey
- 125-mile coastal circuit (3–5 days), Menai Strait loop from Menai Bridge (easy, 20 miles), Red Squirrel Trail (off-road, Newborough Forest).
- Wrexham / Llangollen
- Llangollen Canal towpath, Llandegla Forest MTB trails, Horseshoe Pass (A542 road climb), Cefn Moor off-road tracks.
Frequently asked questions
The Mawddach Trail is a 9.5-mile traffic-free cycle and walking route along the former GWR railway trackbed from Dolgellau to Barmouth, following the Mawddach Estuary. It is one of the most scenic traffic-free routes in Wales — flat, well-surfaced and suitable for all abilities including families with young children. The route ends at Barmouth Bridge (a remarkable Victorian wooden railway viaduct, open to cyclists and pedestrians) and connects with Barmouth town and beach. Bike hire is available at Dolgellau.
Coed y Brenin ("Forest of the King") near Dolgellau is the first purpose-built mountain bike trail centre in the UK, opened in 1995. It now has over 70 miles of waymarked trails ranging from easy family routes to the world-class Red Bull (red grade) and Beast of Brenin (black grade) trails. The visitor centre has a café, bike shop and bike hire. Coed y Brenin is in the heart of Snowdonia, with the Precipice Walk and waterfall walks adding to a multi-day visit.
Lôn Las Cymru ("Wales Green Lane", National Cycle Network Route 8) is the main long-distance cycling route through Wales, running from Holyhead in North Wales to Cardiff in the south — approximately 250 miles. The North Wales section passes through Snowdonia via Caernarfon, Beddgelert and Bala. It uses quiet lanes and traffic-free paths where possible. Most riders take 7–10 days for the full route; day sections from Caernarfon to Beddgelert or Blaenau Ffestiniog to Bala are excellent shorter options.
Yes — several excellent options. The Mawddach Trail (Dolgellau to Barmouth, 9.5 miles, flat) is the best family route. Lôn Eifion (Caernarfon to Bryncir, 12 miles, traffic-free) uses the former Pwllheli branch line trackbed. The Llangollen Canal towpath is surfaced in sections. Gwydyr Forest near Betws-y-Coed has easy forest roads. Anglesey has a coastal cycling route on quiet lanes. All are suitable for families with children on bikes or in trailer buggies.
Yes. The Anglesey Coastal Route (Llwybr Arfordir Môn) is a 125-mile cycling route around the island's coastline, following quiet lanes close to the coast with some off-road sections. Most cyclists take 3–5 days for the full circuit. Day sections between ferry points or campsite clusters are popular. The north coast between Beaumaris and Cemaes Bay has some of the quietest, flattest cycling with sea views. Bike hire is available at Holyhead and Menai Bridge.
Bike hire is available at: Coed y Brenin Visitor Centre (Dolgellau) — full-suspension MTB and e-bikes; Beics Brenin (Dolgellau) — Mawddach Trail access; Gwydyr Forest (Betws-y-Coed) — forest bikes; several outlets in Llanberis for Snowdonia exploration; and Bike hire concessions at Llyn Padarn Country Park. E-bike hire is increasingly available and worth considering for hilly North Wales terrain.