Traffic-free cycle routes in Wales for all the family

Wales has hundreds of miles of wonderful traffic-free and low-traffic routes thanks to the National Cycle Network. Many of the routes also connect with holiday areas, country parks and historic attractions, allowing you to combine your traffic-free bike ride with a Welsh sightseeing experience. You won’t always need a bike – bike hire providers are plentiful – just a free hour or two. Bang-for-buck, it’s the best family value around. 

Check out our guide to mountain biking for families and beginners if you want a more off-road day out or get more inspiration for low-cost family activities in Wales.
 

The high mountains are always looking down on you, but that doesn’t mean you have to cycle up them. These North Wales cycle paths are flat and friendly, making them perfect family cycle routes.

The Mawddach Trail is everything a family-friendly cycle route should be. It’s a spectacularly scenic route from the market town of Dolgellau to the beach resort of Abermaw (Barmouth), along the gorgeous Mawddach Estuary. Attractions along the Mawddach Estuary include an iconic wooden railway bridge, the Arthog Bog RSPB nature reserve, and mountains ever-present on the near horizon.

• Start/finish points: Dolgellau/Abermaw.
• Distance: 19 miles there and back. Allow two to three hours to cover it at a pleasant dawdle.
• Difficulty: Flat, traffic free (apart from tiny sections in the start/end towns), suitable for young children.
• Surface: Tarmac, easy pedalling along a disused railway line.

• Bike hire: Your best bet is Dolgellau Cycles, whose fleet includes ebikes, family-friendly tag-alongs and trailers.
• Food stops: There’s plenty of café/pub/ice cream action at both Dolgellau and Abermaw. The 17th-century George III inn at Penmaenpool is an essential mid-ride pit-stop.
• Public transport links: You can take bikes on the Cambrian Coast trains to Abermaw or Morfa Mawddach stations (pre-booking advisable), or check out Traveline Cymru for buses to Dolgellau if you're hiring bikes there.

Lôn Las Cefni offers a blissfully easy family cycle down to the sea. Most of the path runs along the pan-flat Malltraeth Marsh alongside the River Cefni - watch out for otters - past the Cors Ddyga RSPB reserve, and along the Cob embankment that was built to reclaim farmland from the saltmarsh. You’ve got options to extend your ride at both ends. At the top, head through the Dingle woodland nature reserve with its boardwalk and sculptures, and climb up to the Llyn Cefni reservoir. Down by the sea, you can take the off-road trails through Newborough Forest whose Corsican pines are home to a major red squirrel population. From here, head off on foot to Llanddwyn beach and island.

• Start/finish points: Llangefni and Malltraeth.
• Distance: 12 miles each way. Allow two or three hours to enjoy exploring.
• Difficulty: It’s Ynys Môn's (Anglesey) best cycle route for beginners, mostly flat and traffic-free.
• Surface: Tarmac.

• Bike hire: In Llangefni, take your pick from the friendly Anglesey Bikes and CycleWales, or go electric at Anglesey Electric Bike Hire.
• Food stops: Llangefni has all you need, with extra options in the villages of Malltraeth and Newborough.
• Public transport links: Check out timetables on Traveline Cymru for buses to Llangefni if you're hiring bikes there.

The Lôn Eifion Cycleway is a favourite North Wales cycle path, running southwards from Caernarfon along a broad green avenue. This cycle route runs alongside the Welsh Highland Railway before parting company at Llanwnda. It’s gently uphill most of the way, before a last freewheel down to the village of Bryncir. The mountain peaks are ever-present - notably Yr Wyddfa, Yr Eifl and the Nantlle Ridge – and it’s easy to duck into nearby villages or take a short detour to Glynllifon Country Park.

• Start/finish points: Castell Caernarfon (Caernarfon Castle) to Bryncir.
• Distance: 12.5 miles each way, so allow around three hours for the round-trip.
• Difficulty: Uphill sections, traffic-free all the way.
• Surface: Tarmac, wide pathway.

• Bike hire: Head for Beics Antur in Caernarfon.
• Food stops:  Plenty of opportunity in Caernarfon, with options in Penygroes and other villages en route. There’s also a café at the Inigo Jones Slateworks in Groeslon.
• Public transport links: Check out bus timetables on Traveline Cymru to Caernarfon if you're hiring bikes there.

High on the Denbigh Moors, Llyn Brenig Lake and Visitor Centre is a peaceful place for watersports, walking... and family bike adventures, naturally. There are seven family cycling trails to choose from; we’ve picked a pretty route around Brenig’s smaller sibling, Llyn Alwen. This family-friendly trail runs through forest, moorland and along the water’s edge. Note that cyclists go anticlockwise, while walkers go clockwise – and there’s a healthy hill to climb at the halfway point. There are ever-changing views across the reservoir and to the mountains of Eryri. Information boards at the side of the path explore the wildlife, culture and folk tales.

• Start/finish points: Llyn Alwen car park and back.
• Distance: Seven miles, and less than two hours.
• Difficulty: Moderate, hills.
• Surface: Surfaced paths and forestry tracks.

• Bike hire: Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre is your place for hiring bikes to suit all ages, including electric cargo trikes. Booking in advance is advised.
• Food stops: Caffi Brenig.
• Public transport links: You can get there by cycling, or by car - it's off the beaten track.

Mid Wales is popular with both road cyclists and mountain bikers, but there are also traffic-free cycle routes that make for ideal family cycle trails.

Old railway lines make excellent cycle paths, and the Ystwyth Trail makes great use of the Great Western Railway route that once connected Aberystwyth and Tregaron. The trail follows the River Ystwyth valley before dropping south along the River Teifi to Tregaron, mostly tracking the old railway line. It’s a solid day-trip there and back, but you can pick easier sections to suit your family. The first 6.5 miles out of Aberystwyth to Llanilar is a good bet. Or start at Llanilar and head south on an easy 4-mile section along the river. Down at the bottom end, there’s a lovely off-road stretch along the edge of Cors Caron Nature Reserve.

• Start/finish points: Aberystwyth to Tregaron and back.
• Distance: 21 miles to Tregaron.
• Difficulty: The complete trail is better for experienced cyclists, however shorter sections are great for family cycling. Mostly flat and traffic-free along an old railway line, some roads to cross with care.
• Surface: Tarmac, gravel.

• Bike hire: Aberystwyth’s Afan Bike Hire has everything from tag-alongs to tandems.
• Food stops: Plenty of choice in the top section between Aberystwyth and Llanilar - but stock up on snacks in Tregaron if you’re heading north.
• Public transport links: You can take bikes on the Cambrian Coast trains to Aberystwyth (pre-booking advisable), or check out Traveline Cymru for buses to Aberystwyth if you're hiring bikes there.

The Elan Valley reservoirs are a mighty feat of Victorian civil engineering set in a landscape that’s kept in pristine nick to protect the water purity. Their family bike trails are the perfect way to explore, with nine routes to choose from. The Elan Trail runs from the outskirts of the town of Rhaeadr Gwy (Rhayader) along a disused railway track, passing the visitor centre and heading up past the Caban Coch and Garreg Ddu reservoirs, with their fine dams and water tower, to the end of Penygarreg reservoir. You’re climbing all the way to the top of this last section, but the stunning upland scenery makes it worthwhile – and then it’s downhill all the way home.

• Start/finish points: Rhaeadr Gwy via Elan Valley.
• Distance:  An 18-mile round-trip. Allow a good three hours to do it justice.
• Difficulty: Medium, lots of uphill on the way out.
• Surface: Tarmac, unsurfaced.

• Bike hire: The visitor centre’s bike hub does the full hire service and has a bike wash if you’ve brought your own. Neil's Wheels in Rhaeadr Gwy is another bike hire option.
• Food stops: The visitor centre has a good café in a strategically handy location, and there are toilets at the furthest point. Rhaeadr Gwy's a lovely town with plenty of places in which to refresh.
• Public transport links: Traveline Cymru can help you plan a trip to Rhaeadr Gwy, however you'll need a taxi to get to Elan Valley Visitor Centre if you've booked bike hire from there.

The quiet lanes of West Wales are great for safe cycling, but these off-road cycling routes make it accessible for young children, too.

Here’s a family cycle ride that starts with sand between your toes and ends in thickly-forested uplands. The Afan Valley route takes you on a steady but gentle climb from sea level, where the traffic-free tarmac quickly leaves industrial Port Talbot and turns into a pretty woodland path alongside the river. Your final destination is the Afan Forest Park visitor centre – or perhaps it’s just the start of further adventures. There are family-friendly mountain bike trails here, as well as the South Wales Miners' Museum. Also worth noting is that the cycle path carries on right to the top of the valley, where it joins a network of paths that connect the whole of the South Wales Valleys.

• Start/finish points: Aberavon Beach to Afan Forest and back.
• Distance: A 13-mile round-trip. Two hours there and back, but expect to spend a bit of time exploring the forest park.
• Difficulty: Gentle gradiant, mostly traffic-free.
• Surface: Tarmac.

• Bike hire: Afan Valley Bike Shed specialises in mountain bikes to tackle the local forest trails.
• Food stops: The Afan Forest Park visitor centre has everything you need, with plenty of other options back on the coast.
• Public transport links: There's a mainline railway station in Port Talbot, and Traveline Cymru can help you with bus times and stops towards Afan Forest Park. 

The Millennium Coastal Path runs along the Carmarthenshire seafront. It’s a coast-hugging favourite for family bike rides. If you’re a first-timer, the best place to start is the mid-point at North Dock. Then decide whether you’ll head eastward past the Jack Nicklaus-designed Machynys Golf Course and visit the resident flamingos at the Llanelli Wetland Centre, or strike west towards Burry Port harbour and on to Pembrey Country Park’s multiple attractions (beach, ski slope, crazy golf, nature trails and more). The cycling is flat and easy either way, with great views across the cockle beds to Penrhyn Gŵyr (the Gower Peninsula). For families with very young children, the cycle route can be tackled in four short self-contained sections.

• Start/finish points: Discovery Centre in Llanelli, Pembrey Country Park.
• Distance: 13 miles. Allow a half-day if you’re doing the whole 13 miles there and back, but it’s easy to cherry-pick shorter routes.
• Difficulty: Flat, 100% traffic free.
• Surface: Mostly tarmac.

• Bike hire: Pembrey Country Park.
• Food stops: There are cafes and facilities every couple of miles, so you’ll never get caught short. 
• Public transport links: Llanelli has a railway station and Traveline Cymru can help you with bus times to Pembrey, although you'll need to walk from the town to the park.

The de-industrialisation of the South Wales Valleys had an unexpected benefit for cyclists: disused railway lines and canal towpaths became a network of family cycle routes, and nature has reclaimed the old coalfields.

A great ride for families and novice cyclists, this route takes you on a traffic-free path from the centre of Caerdydd (Cardiff) all the way out to the fairytale Castell Coch. The Taff Trail runs for 55 miles between Caerdydd and Aberhonddu (Brecon), but this six-mile section is a good way for family cyclists to explore the green heart of our capital, with a gorgeous castle thrown in. 

If you’re hiring bikes in the park, then it’s an easy run up alongside the River Taff on tarmac paths. There’s a small (but quiet) road section through Tongwynlais village and a short, stiff climb up to Castell Coch, so it may be better suited to older kids. With younger children, a potter around Bute Park is a delightful way to spend an hour or two. Secure bike parking is available directly outside Cardiff Castle on Castle Street.

• Start/finish points: Caerdydd to Castell Coch, Tongwynlais.
• Distance: The 12-mile round-trip won’t take much more than 90 minutes - but allow at least an extra hour to explore the castle. 
• Difficulty: Mostly flat, with a short steep bit up to Castell Coch, mostly traffic-free until Tongwynlais.
• Surface: Tarmac.

• Bike hire: Cardiff Pedal Power has hire centres in Pontcanna Fields and Bae Caerdydd (Cardiff Bay), including accessible bikes. If you’re renting in the Bay, add an extra three miles each way to your trip.
• Food stops: There are a number of cafés in/near Bute Park, including the Summerhouse Café in the park and The Castle Café in Cardiff Castle (you don’t need an admission ticket). There are also two water fountains in Bute Park.
• Public transport links: Caerdydd's railway network and Cardiff Bus provide regular services around the region. Traveline Cymru can help you plan.

The Peregrine Path is a short, mainly traffic-free ride that takes you across the border into England, following the River Wye along one of its loveliest sections. That’s international travel, but without the carbon footprint. Starting in the handsome, historic Trefynwy (Monmouth), the trail winds alongside the River Wye and through the Wye Gorge. About two-thirds of the way, you’ll cross the English border and arrive at Yat Symond (Symonds Yat). Watch out for peregrine falcons overhead – this is one of the best places in Britain to spot these splendid raptors. Then head back to explore the many charms of Trefynwy.

• Start/finish points: Trefynwy via Yat Symond.
• Distance: An 11-mile round-trip. Two hours at a very leisurely pace.
• Difficulty: Easy, mainly traffic-free.
• Surface: Mix of tarmac and unsealed path.

• Bike hire: Launch Bikes in Trefynwy has all you need, including hybrid e-bikes.
• Food stops: Plentiful options in Trefynwy, and also at Yat Symond, but nothing in between.
• Public transport links: Check out bus timetables on Traveline Cymru.