Best Epic road and off road cycling routes in Carmarthenshire

Cycling in Carmarthenshire is like having jam and cream on your scone.  It’s moreish and leaves you wanting more.

Epic views, vast spaces, sweet tarmac roads and off road surfaces with plenty of places to stop off for photos or a cheeky Ribena along the way.

We’re spoilt for choice for cycling routes both on and off road in and around Cambrian Escapes. Here’s a few routes, recommended by those in the know, to get your derailias stuck into.

ROAD

SHORT The Tywi Valley.

This is a stunning route, which you can cycle from your holiday cottage at Cambrian Escapes. It heads up to Rhandirmwyn surrounded by scenic hills following the river Towy. 

DISTANCE: 27km / 17 milesASCENT / DESCENT: 300m+ / 980ft+

Three potential pub stops: Stop off at the Towy Bridge Inn with gorgeous river views or carry on to the Royal Oak at Rhandirmwyn with beautiful valley and mountain views. Head back down to the Neuadd Fawr Arms in the pretty village of Cilycwm.If you make it all the way up to the dam at Llyn Brianne (we do recommend it) there is often a little coffee place in the main carpark.

Part finished and coming soon, the other end of the Tywi Valley is going to be a stunning traffic free route with a bigger portfolio of castles & follies than the Royal Family ...., as you can see for yourself 

MEDIUM  Tywi & Cothi Valley

28 miles of beautiful riding in the two most picturesque Carmarthenshire valleys. (Yes we are biased)

ASCENT / DESCENT: 720m+ / 2350ft+Pubs: Neaudd Fawr Arms, Black Lion at Abergorlech

LONG   Llyn Brianne

58km ride around what we think is one of the most extraordinary roads in Wales. 

Pubs: Towy Bridge Inn and Royal Oak Rhandirmwyn

Cycle the iconic Black Mountain road , which is on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons.  Heralded locally as one of the best road routes locally and used for a number of sportives, including the Tour of Britain. Travel from the industrial heartland of Carmarthenshire into the wilds of the Black Mountain. You can read about The Guardian's Dixe Wills trip to cycle in Carmarthenshire when he stayed with us, here

Devils Staircase a hellishly steep climb, but well worth the burn. Our guests say this is tougher than the Black Mountain (we take their word for it) and it's appeared in lots of the pro cycling mags.

Big Wilderness Adventure 65 miles of wild sweeping views, good climbs and a few coffee and pub pit stops in between.

OVO Women's Tour route 63 miles 4 - 7 hours. The most climbing that's ever been included in a Women's tour route

ROUTES FROM LLANDOVERY.

Llandovery is a good place to base yourself for cycling. Some for the best and varied routes are listed above Devil's Staircase, Llyn Brianne, but there are a few other goodies including gorgeous Usk Reservoir The wild Mynydd Epynt lovely Cilgwyn

• MOUNTAIN BIKING
  

Just half a mile from Cambrian Escapes is the super Red Run in Cwm Rhaeadr. It’s a case of cycling up the valley through the forest, with a stunning waterfall to view and then flying back down.There is a 2.7km ascent, but don’t worry the climb soon melts away and you are met at the top with 4km of quality single track and views of the cwm (valley) and rhaeadr (waterfall), which give this forest its name. There are plenty of rollers, berms and rocky descents to keep you occupied all the way back to the car park, and as the loop takes about 45 minutes to complete, there’s always plenty of time for one more go!

MTBers are welcome to ride up onto our hill. It’s got panoramic views of the Carmarthen Fans in the Brecon Beacons and the Cambrian Mountains and you can use the byway loop around. Or you can simply climb up and fly back down.

The Brecon Beacons Gap is one of the all time classics of the Beacons taking in the Brecon Canal, the Taff Trail, the Brinore Tramway and the very popular Gap Road.

The terrain is rideable in all seasons but beware in bad weather conditions. The Gap takes you up to 600m above sea level and is very open and windswept. It is essential to take food, adequate clothing and tools before you attempt this route.

• LONGER TRAIL  The Doethie Valle y

One of the MTB holy grails. Recently it was again voted one of Britain’s best single tracks.Begin from Llyn Brianne and cycle through woodland to the top of the Doethie Valley. Then it’s a 7km ride through a stunning valley. We can drop you off and make sure your vehicle is in the right place to cycle back to. There are two potential pub stops on completion. Towy Bridge Inn, Royal Oak Rhandirmwymn.

• FAMILY ROUTES  in Crychan Forest

Crychan Forest has always been popular with walkers and horserider. The vast forest, beautiful huge trees, wildlife and great views all make the forest a favourite. Now you can enjoy the forest from your bike, with a number of cycling routes all suitable for families looking for off-road riding in a stunning location.

Choose from five varied routes which you can join from either of the four forest car parks :

Grade: Ungraded but if it was graded it would be Green – Easy

Length: 4km – 14km•Brynffo - Esgair Fwyog - 7.1km•Golygfa Epynt - 13.5km•Cwm Coed Oeron - 12.8km•Allt Troedrhiw-fer - 4km•Allt Troedrhiwfer - Golygfa Epynt link - 4.9km

Stay at Cambrian Escapes and ride from the doorstep. We have bike lock up and wash down facilities and can help advise on routes and pubs along the way. There is more information and rides on our Walk and Ride page. Find out more about rides in Llandovery and Carmarthenshire