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Lon Cambria

Wales is known for its mountains, and its cycle routes are noexception. But Lon Cambria, which crosses the centre of thecountry from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, gives a chance toenjoy the fine scenery without too many gruelling climbs.

Quiet lanes wind from town to town – Welshpool, Llanidloes,Rhayader – with rarely a car to be seen. Scenic highlightsinclude miles of views from the top of the Long Mountain; a trulydelightful lane down the Wye Valley; and the glorious cycle-pathpast the Elan Reservoirs. And if you need any more persuasion,the route finishes with a full 24 miles of descending to the sea atAberystwyth.

What sort of bike?

Any hybrid bike or road bike will be fine. Most surfaces aretarmaced, with only a few (easily skippable) sections on thedescent to Aberystwyth requiring sturdier tyres. Mountain bikesmay struggle up the steep climb of the Long Mountain.

How many days?

Three days makes for a comfortable ride; two is achievable forthe fitter rider. Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth, at each end of theroute, are interesting historic towns that merit a longer stay ifyou have time. 

How do I get there and back?

Shrewsbury is easily reached by train from Birmingham,Manchester or Cardiff. (Arriva’s trains have limited bikeaccommodation and you’re advised to book; the London Midlandtrains on the Birmingham route are less cramped.) 

For your return journey, there’s a direct Arriva service fromAberystwyth back to Shrewsbury. This also stops at Welshpool,Newtown and Caersws, should you need to break your journey. 

Is it suitable for a first-timer?

A reasonably fit first-time tourer will cope comfortably, especiallyon a four-day itinerary. There are a couple of stiff climbs, but theviews from high ground are instantly rewarding.

Where to start and finish?

Though cycle routes are usually tackled west–east, to gain theassistance of the prevailing wind, in this case we’d recommendstarting at Shrewsbury. The hills gradually unfold to show mid-Wales at its best, and arriving by the sea in Aberystwyth is a finefinale to the ride. 

Are there any route options?

Just the one. When the main route takes a circuitous (butdelightful) detour via Rhayader, you can choose to head duewest from Llangurig over a high, exposed pass. It’s hard workover a rough surface, but offers an unforgettable glimpse ofWales at its wildest.

Shrewsbury to Welshpool

Enclosed by a loop of the River Severn, Shrewsbury is abustling Border town with an interesting mix of architecture. LonCambria begins on the busy riverside path before heading off onresidential streets and roadside paths – not the most interestingof exits, but reasonable enough. A three-mile haul on a B roadleads to Montford Bridge, and ten lovely miles of easy lanesthrough the Severn Valley.

Wales begins at Crewgreen – and so do the hills. The tough butshort ascent of Breidden Hill is followed by the ascent of theLong Mountain, a great bulk topped by quiet lanes which giveexcellent views on a clear day. This is the hardest single climb ofthe whole route, so take your time. The descent into Welshpoolis steep, winding and exhilarating; not to be attempted with weakbrakes!

Welshpool to Rhayader

Famous for its cattle market, Welshpool is essentially a one-street town with an unhurried air. The Montgomery Canal runsthrough the town – and Lon Cambria follows it all the way toNewtown. 

The canal towpath was improved in 2013 to make a verypleasant level route, replacing the former journey up hill anddown dale. You won’t see many boats: though much of thissection has been restored to navigation, it’s cut off from the maincanal system by a dry section around Llanymynech, so the onlyway for boats to reach it is via low-loader. South of Berriew, thecanal is largely unrestored, but Lon Cambria follows the towpathregardless.

Newtown is often maligned as the most workaday of the Bordertowns. In fact, there’s much to explore here, with its main streetfalling attractively to the Severn bridge. The Sportsman (theMonty’s Brewery tap) and the tiny Railway deserve a visit ifyou’re stopping overnight.

More quiet, hilly lanes take the route through Caersws – the lastsight of the railway until Aberystwyth – and onto Llanidloes.Nicknamed ‘Planet Llanid’ for its mildly hippy vibe, this is afriendly, sleepy town with old-fashioned cafés and pubs. 

Here we meet Lon Las Cymru, Wales‘ north–south cyclechallenge. The two routes share the same path to Rhayader.First comes a long, surprisingly tough climb from the SevernValley to the watershed, then a steep descent into the WyeValley at tiny Llangurig. The best bit, though, is theastonishingly rural 10-mile run down the valley into Rhayader, acontender for the finest road on the National Cycle Network. (AtLlangurig, you can also choose to miss out Rhayader completelyby heading west on Route 818: stunning views, but a steepclimb and rugged surface.)

Rhayader to Aberystwyth

Rhayader reputedly has more pubs per head of population thananywhere else in Britain; don’t try to sample them all in oneevening. It’s a quiet, friendly place centred around an attractivecentral cross… which has the misfortune of hosting two major A-roads. 

The next 15 miles might look circuitous on the map, but there’s agood reason. The traffic-free cycle path follows the shore of theElan Valley reservoirs, with stunning views to the imposingdams. It’s a steady, gentle climb, only really taxing at the turnabove the highest reservoir onto the mountain road. From here,you feel like you’re on top of the world as you slowly cross fromthe Elan to the Ystwyth valleys. 

It’s pretty much downhill all the way from here: 24 miles of easydescending all the way to the sea. There’s a bumpy, gravellyforest path after Cwmystwyth which is quite enjoyable, but youmay choose to stay on the quiet B road instead. 

A laughable scramble (where you will have to push your bike)takes you up to the old railway from Carmarthen; Lon Cambriawill intermittently follow this into Aberystwyth, including the finalapproach to the town itself. The route ends by the pier; rest atone of the seaside cafés and raise a glass to your ride acrossthe heart of Wales.

A5

A5

A49

A5

A458

A458

A458

A5

A458

B4393

B4386

A5112

A458

B43

80

B4393

B4393

B4393

A5191

B

A528

A528

A488

A5124

B4473

B5067

B4380

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B4380

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488

B4386

B4387

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PritchardsHill

BausleyHill

HargraveBank

MiddletownHill

BreiddenHill

Moel YGolfa

AlberburyHill

KempstersHill

SHREWSBURY

Hanwood

Cruckton

MontfordBridge

Westbury

Criggion

Ford

Bicton

Montford

Yockleton

Fitz

Shrawardine

Melverley

Vennington

Ditherington

Belle Vue

Copthorne

Frankwell

CotonHill

RadbrookGreen

Shelton

Radbrook

Underd

Kingsland

StoneyStretton

Bayston

Hooka Gate

ReabrookEstate

MeoleBrace

Llandrinio

Cardeston

CrewGreen

Pentre

Alberbury

HarlesGrang

HeathFarmMount

Pleasant

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ChOrc

Herongate

GainsPark

81

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RoundtoHill

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Long Mountain

WELSHPOOL

MONTGOMERY

Abermule

Refail

Llandyssil

Marton

Bronybuckley

PriestWeston

Aberriw

Hendomen

Leighton

Chirbury

CastleCaereinion

81

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Bryn Dol-Llys

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Bryn Dolwen

CilfalstyHill

BrynBryn-Coch

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Trefeglwys

Llandinam

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MochdreIndustrialEstate

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PenygloddfaDyffrynIndustrialEstate

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New Barnfields

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Elan Village

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81

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B4574

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81

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A487

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B4340

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B4346

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New Warren

Hill

Pendinas

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81

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