Lôn Cambria crosses the heart of beautiful Mid Wales through the Cambrian mountains, tracing a picturesque 113-mile route from the coast at Aberystwyth to the historic border town of Shrewsbury.
Leaving behind the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth the route follows the River Ystwyth along the valley floor then climbs steeply through Pont-rhyd-y-groes to join a spectacular and remote mountain road east of Cwmystwyth. This in turn leads to a wonderful descent on the traffic-free Elan Valley Trail alongside the beautiful Elan Valley reservoirs down to Rhayader.
Lôn Las Cymru (National Cycle Network Route 8) is followed north on a delightfully quiet, gated lane parallel to the River Wye to Llangurig. The watershed is crossed as you pass from the Wye Valley to the Severn Valley to the north of Llangurig, dropping down to Llanidloes where Lôn Las Cymru turns northwest towards Machynlleth and Lôn Cambria continues northeast to Caersws. One of the steepest climbs of the whole route comes after Caersws, giving you all the more reason to enjoy the flat, traffic-free section along the Montgomery Canal towpath through Newtown before joining the quiet lane network to Welshpool.
A final climb on the Roman Road over Long Mountain offers panoramic views before a descent through riverside meadows to the market town of Shrewsbury with its rail connections for the journey home. National Cycle Network Route 81 continues east through Shropshire to Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
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Please note
We have taken all responsible steps to ensure that these routes are safe and achievable by people with a reasonable level of fitness.
However, all outdoor activities involve a degree of risk. To the extent permitted by law, Sustrans accepts no responsibility for any accidents or injury resulting from following these routes.
Walking and cycling routes change over time. Weather conditions may also affect path surfaces.
Please use your own judgement when using the routes based upon the weather and the ability, experience and confidence levels of those in your group.