Route: Lon Las Cymru

Lon Las Cymru’s main line, aka National Cycle Network route 8, is the route followed by most cyclists: but there’s an alternate start point, and two challenging ‘braids’ in Snowdonia.

Instead of starting in Cardiff, you can set off from Chepstow, just on the English border. Entirely on-road along some lovely quiet lanes, this option (NCN 42) is particularly well-suited to road bikes, avoiding the railway paths and forestry tracks of the main route. It slowly climbs up to the famous Gospel Pass, the highest in Wales, before descending to rejoin the main route near Hay-on-Wye.

In Snowdonia, there’s a tough alternate route between Machynlleth and Porthmadog (NCN 82), crossing the main route at Dolgellau. This throws in some off-roading and some tough climbs, but with genuinely stunning views to match.