Lon Las Cymru

Im just back from completing the Lon Las Cymru route from Cardiff to Hollyhead. Good mix of scenery and terrain, majority on sealed roads but with some gravel elements occasionally.

For some of the early part of the route I used Lee Roachs mountain bike route then later on switched to the more conventional road route.

The road route is pretty well marked and I took along Sustrans South and North road map.

Like @giofox, I was hit by some pretty atrocious weather. Among the scenes were roads flooded over the top of my drivetrain, rain hitting my eyes so hard that I was crying and almost being blown off my bike whilst travelling along the tops somewhere around Snowdonia.

I had planned on wild camping most nights but opted to stay indoors for 3 of the 5 nights I had in Wales. Finding accommodation didnt prove particularly hard other than in Bangor (lots of Britons holidaying within the UK increasing demand for space).

One of the things I really regret was water getting into my mobile phone so no photos from the latter part of the trip which was probably the more stunning part. Will look to post some photos later.

I also found there was plenty of spots to find food enroute (I had been worried about post covid situation). Something I also appreciated was the relative abundance of public toilets, particularly when wild camping.

Scenery was stunning with particular highlight being the stretch along the Afon Mawddach. Much of the route is through picture postcard Wales although there were one or two places that pointed to some of the poverty that has hit the region. Hollyhead in particular is worth avoiding imho.

I did the trip in four days although could be done faster if you were doing it credit card style (I met a father and son pair that were doing it that way with v little gear). I tend to prefer the flexibility and self sufficiency of travelling loaded.

In retrospect what I might have changed is dropped going across to Angelsey and instead cycled on to Crewe where I had a rail connection (via Bangor) although Ive heard mixed reports about some of North Wales

Train connections were Paddington to Cardiff with GWR and on the return journey Bangor > Crewe with Transport for Wales and Crewe > Euston with Avanti West Coast.

I had problems initially getting the bicycle reservations with GWR who I made the initial online booking but a trip to Paddington Station sorted that out. I dont believe Transport for Wales is taking bike reservations for there service but had no problems getting my bike on.

I have updated with photos...unfortunately none from the northern part of the route which i would argue is even more beautiful as phone was out of action due to rain by that stage 🤷

Beautiful!

Thanks...would recommend it although when i rode it, it was a case of lots of greens and greys

I live in north wales, in the Berwyn hills. Had you taken the detour to Crew, I’m sure your could have found great riding and fantastic scenery, but without the crowds often found further west.