National Cycle Route 8

Route 8 sign near Harlech, North Wales

National Cycle Route 8 (or NCR 8) is a route of the National Cycle Network, running from Cardiff to Holyhead. The route passes through the heart of Wales, and is also known by its Welsh name Lôn Las Cymru (English: Wales' Green Lane). It is largely north-south from Holyhead to Cardiff or Chepstow, and in total measures some 400 km (250 mi) in length. Some of its route follows the trackbed of former railway lines, such as Lôn Las Menai, Lôn Eifion, the Mawddach Trail and the Taff Trail; in other places, the route is on public highways. A road bike with racing tyres would struggle on the former surfaces; a hybrid or 'hard tail' mountain bike fitted with wide road tyres would be a better choice.

Both ends are easily accessible via the rail network. It is possibly better done North to South, finishing in Cardiff, the capital city.

Route

Cardiff to Brecon

This largely follows the Taff Trail:

Cardiff | Pontypridd | Abercynon | Merthyr Tydfil | Brecon

Alternative: Chepstow to Glasbury

Lon Las Cymru provides an alternative south route for those coming into Wales from the Severn Bridge, following Route 42 from Chepstow to Glasbury, where it joins Route 8:

Chepstow | Usk | Abergavenny | Glasbury

There is also a small loop at the top of Route 42 providing links to Hay-on-Wye.

Brecon to Machynlleth

Brecon | Talgarth | Glasbury | Erwood | Builth Wells | Newbridge on Wye | Llanwrthwl | Rhayader | Llangurig | Llanidloes | Staylittle | Machynlleth

Machynlleth to Porthmadog

Machynlleth | Dolgellau | Trawsfynydd | Penrhyndeudraeth | Porthmadog

Porthmadog to Holyhead

Porthmadog | Penygroes | Caernarfon | Bangor | Holyhead

External links

• Sustrans map and description - north section
• Sustrans map and description - south section
• Sustrans Routes2Ride: Cycling Lôn Las Cymru
• A map of the route