Wales: Cardiff to Holyhead Bike Tour
Seven nights; seven days of cycling across Wales’s upland moors, river valleys, castle towns, and regions rich in Celtic history.
“The route was spectacularly beautiful.” - Ann P. & Jim C.
WHY THIS TRIP?
- Travel through regions shaped by centuries of Celtic history, from old market towns to high moorland plateaus.
- Ride through varied countryside with steady climbs, rewarding descents, and long stretches of quiet, scenic roads.
- Visit classic Welsh highlights along the way: steam trains, former mining caverns, medieval castles, and the impressive reservoirs of the Elan Valley.
- Follow coastal routes with wide views over Snowdonia, Cardigan Bay, and the beaches and cliffs of Anglesey.
- Enjoy genuine Welsh hospitality in inns and guesthouses that reflect the character of each community you visit.
ROUTE EXPECTATIONS:
Click here to learn about our difficulty rating system.
Our Unforgettable Landscapes: Cardiff To Holyhead by Bike Tour offers moderate to challenging cycling on mixed paved surfaces, with steady climbs, rolling terrain, and some easier miles on former railway paths. E-bikes are well suited to this route.
Daily Distance:
- 1: Into the Brecon Beacons ~37 mi (+900 ft / -750 ft).
- 2: Brecon, Talgarth and Builth Wells ~32 mi (+1,500 ft / -1,500 ft).
- 3: Builth Wells, Elan Valley and Devil’s Bridge ~40 mi (+3,000 ft / -3,000 ft).
- 4: Devil’s Bridge to Corris ~50 mi (+5,000 ft / -5,000 ft).
- 5: Corris to Harlech ~31 mi (+2,000 ft / -2,000 ft).
- 6: Harlech to Dinas ~38 mi (+2,500 ft / -2,500 ft).
- 7: Caernarfon Castle, Menai Bridge, Anglesey and Holyhead, ~47 mi (+2,000 ft / -2,000 ft), 1 hr transfer to Llandudno.
- 8: Farewells.
(Click image to enlarge)
Activity Levels
The easiest routes we offer, these are generally flat and cover relatively relaxed distances. You will be comfortable riding a hybrid bike, walking in sneakers, or paddling a light kayak, and will normally have time to take many photos and enjoy extended lunches.
This is primarily an easy route, but some days may fall into the moderate category. You can expect time to stop and smell the roses, but some of the rides may be on more hilly terrain.
Requiring moderate fitness levels, these cover terrain with hills and valleys, and tend to include distances of 50-80km (30-50mi.)/day cycling, or 3-6 hours of walking per day. Most Freewheeling Adventures fall into this category, and are suitable for most ability levels.
This is primarily a moderate route, suitable for most ability levels, but some days may be a little more challenging. You can expect some long distances, and/or some big climbs/descents.
The most challenging trips, these include longer distances, bigger hills, long hikes, exposed paddling, and full days of activity. We recommend a higher degree of fitness and training to make the most of the experience.
There is also a rare double black diamond, reserved for only the most difficult adventures.
Start: The Angel Hotel, Cardiff, 09:00, day one. Cardiff can be reached easily by train from Manchester, Birmingham or London.
Finish: Llandudno, 09:00; day eight. From Llandudno there are frequent trains to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham or London.
Meal inclusions: Listed for guided trips only, please see dates & pricing section for accurate inclusions per support level.
Please contact us to arrange alternate meeting and departure plans, if necessary.
DAY 1:
Into the Brecon Beacons ~37 mi (+900 ft / -750 ft).
Begin just north of Cardiff in Pontypridd, following the riverside Taff Trail to Merthyr Tydfil. Visit the Cyfarthfa Castle, built in 1824, and explore the collection of fine art and social history items housed in its museum. After lunch, cycle through spectacular valleys and along the banks of the Pontsticill and Talybont Reservoirs as you cross the Brecon Beacons.
Meal Inclusions: Lunch, Dinner.
The Castle of Brecon Hotel, Brecon.DAY 2:
Brecon, Talgarth and Builth Wells ~32 mi (+1,500 ft / -1,500 ft).
The morning’s hilly 10-mile ride to the small market town of Talgarth is a good chance to pause for a snack or early lunch, and the effort is rewarded with wide views over the Brecon Beacons. In the afternoon, cycle north along the River Wye all the way to Builth Wells, your resting place for the night.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
The Llanelwedd Arms Hotel, or Bronwye Guest House, Builth Wells.DAY 3:
Builth Wells, Elan Valley and Devil’s Bridge ~40 mi (+3,000 ft / -3,000 ft).
Relish an unforgettable journey through the Elan Valley along the shores of the Caban-coch, Garreg-ddu, Penygarreg, and Cronfa Ddwr Craig Goch Reservoirs. Further ascents provide a majestic tableau of the Elan and the Afon Ystwyth Valleys below. Your destination is Devil's Bridge, a village best known for its unique namesake. Composed of three coexistent, separate bridges, the structure overlooks the striking Devil’s Bridge Falls which inspired Wordsworth's "Torrent at the Devil's Bridge".
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
The Hafod, Devil's Bridge.DAY 4:
Devil’s Bridge to Corris ~50 mi (+5,000 ft / -5,000 ft).
A wonderful, rolling bike ride today leads through pastures and woodlands away from traffic. Visit Machynlleth (Owain Glyndŵr Parliament House), the self-proclaimed first capital of Wales, where Owain Glyndwr held a parliament in 1404 after being crowned Prince. Take the water-balanced cliff railway to the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) for views of Snowdonia National Park.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
The Old Vicarage, Corris; or Gwesty Minfford Hotel, Tal-y-llyn.DAY 5:
Corris to Harlech ~31 mi (+2,000 ft / -2,000 ft).
Return to Corris, then bike north following the Afon Dulas River. At Dolgellau the route veers westward and parallels the Afon Mawddach to the ocean, following the route of the Cambrian Rail line on a dedicated bike trail – the Mawddach Trail. Cross the river on the Barmouth Viaduct and travel along the coast toward Harlech Castle. Stop for a swim in the idyllic waters of Barmouth Beach or explore the dunes of Harlech Beach before retiring to your inn.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
Castle Cottage, Harlech.DAY 6:
Harlech to Dinas ~38 mi (+2,500 ft / -2,500 ft).
Today's route begins with some hilly sections in Snowdonia National Park before descending to the coastal villages of Portmeirion and Porthmadog. Visit Criccieth Castle or relax on the sandy beach below. The afternoon ride includes a long stretch of the Lôn Eifion Trail, which boasts views of Llyn Peninsula to the southwest, Caernarfon Bay and Anglesey to the west and north, and the impressive mountains of Snowdonia to the east. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Caernarfon Castle and the adjacent castle square, Y Maes.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Dinner.
Plas Dinas, Dinas; or The Black Boy Inn, Caernarfon.DAY 7:
Caernarfon Castle, Menai Bridge, Anglesey and Holyhead, ~47 mi (+2,000 ft / -2,000 ft), 1 hr transfer to Llandudno.
Head to the Isle of Anglesey using the historic Pont Y Borth at Menai Bridge. Explore the many sandy beaches on the southern coast of Anglesey and pay a visit to the South Stack Lighthouse before skirting Holyhead Mountain and concluding your ride at the Holyhead Maritime Museum. After seeing the sights at the museum, you will be transferred to Llandudno, a lively seaside town where you can celebrate your feat.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
St George's Hotel, Llandudno.DAY 8:
Farewells.
Your tour concludes following breakfast.
Meal Inclusions: Breakfast.
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
SELECT A DATE BELOW TO RESERVE, OR START A NEW DATE
2026 DATES:
2027 DATES:
Don't see what you want?
(Inclusions & pricing are listed below)
PRICING
Our tour costs are ALL IN, including fees & taxes.
Guided: C 5155 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 6 dinners, luggage handling, van and guide support, maps and route instructions, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Small groups or private tours, fully supported with drivers/guides and vehicles, all lodging and most meals included. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Self-Guided: C 4345 (per person, double occupancy)
Includes 8 days, 7 nights, 6 breakfasts, luggage transfers, necessary ground transportation, on-call emergency support, maps, route instructions, hybrid bicycle rental, taxes.
Semi-supported, independent tours including welcome briefing, lodging, luggage transfers and necessary vehicle transfers. Choose from existing dates or request new departures. Read more on our “What to Expect” page.
Single Occupancy: Add C 995
Tour cost excludes airfare and travel to and from the starting point, costs for activities listed as optional, bar and beverage bills, meals not shown as included, gratuities for your driver and/or guides.
Bike Rentals:
Hybrid-Fitness: Included
Change to Road: C 200
Change to E-bike: C 250
All details and pricing are subject to change without notice.
Please see above for accurate pricing and inclusions, unless we have proposed a customized trip for you and those details are provided in your custom proposal.
1. Choose an advertised date to join a small group, or see our Join a Group page to see where groups are already forming.
2. Pick your own dates. We will confirm quickly and are happy to talk with you as you make your choice. If you would like a private guided departure, this usually involves a surcharge depending on the details. Those who prefer to travel self-guided typically need only two participants to initiate a new date at the advertised price, and we can sometimes offer reduced rates for larger groups. Please get in touch for more information.
BEST TIMES
The best time to enjoy this tour is June to September.
- Spring, April to May, averages high temperatures range from 8 to 12 °C (46 to 54 °F).
- Summer, June to August, typically peaks around 17 °C (62 °F).
- Autumn temperatures in September and October can still be mild and a bit warmer than spring, averaging 11 °C to 14 °C (51 to 57 °F). October marks the beginning of higher rainfall season.
GET TO THE START
Fly into Manchester (MAN), Birmingham (BHX), or London Heathrow (LHR), then take the train to Cardiff, the starting point for your Cardiff to Holyhead bike tour. See National Rail for schedules and details; the journey typically takes 2.5 to 4 hours, depending on your departure city.
AFTER THE FINISH
Your tour concludes in Llandudno on the morning of Day Eight. From here, frequent train services connect to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, making onward travel easy.
BEFORE AND AFTER
If you have one day:
We recommend spending extra time in Llandudno, one of North Wales’s classic seaside towns. Ride the historic Great Orme Tramway, stroll the Victorian promenade, or wander the Alice-in-Wonderland-themed Happy Valley Gardens.
Please let us know if you’d like us to arrange an additional night or two before your journey home.
If you have several days:
Consider extending your Cardiff To Holyhead: Unforgettable Landscapes by Bike with one of our neighbouring United Kingdom tours, or add time in Cardiff, Anglesey, or Snowdonia to deepen your experience of the region.
MORE READING
Wales is a remarkable place to explore by bicycle, shaped by Celtic heritage, dramatic landscapes, and a proud sense of identity. This route brings you through historic towns, steam-railway country, former mining valleys, medieval castles, and the broad moorlands that define the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia. Coastal scenery, quiet river valleys, and views toward Anglesey all add to the variety of riding. Along the way, you’ll meet warm, sincere hosts who take pride in sharing Welsh culture and hospitality.
We look forward to welcoming you on our Unforgettable Landscapes: Cardiff to Holyhead Bike Tour.