Routes to Ride - THE NATIONAL CYCLE NETWORK
South East Wales
Overview
There are 28 unique routes of the National Cycle Network, covering nearly 600 miles in South East Wales alone![1] This region covers roughly 1,200 square miles, from Chepstow in the east to Swansea in the west and Barry in the south to Abergavenny in the north.
The entire collection can be viewed within an interactive map at the website: ⧉ Ride w/ GPS.
The Complete List
This page provides a list of every route of the National Cycle Network in South East Wales. Included on the list are links to route maps, printable .pdf files, as well as .gpx files ready for download.
Regional Routes
These pages further divide the South East Valleys into regions for detailed decriptions and maps of routes of the National Cycle Network. The five regions are:
Under development:
- The Western Valleys
- The Gwent Levels
- Cardiff & the Vale of Glamorgan
- The Marches
The National Cycle Network
At the core of most all of the routes described in this section is the National Cycle Network. This extensive UK-wide network consists of nearly 12,000 miles of signposted paths and routes for walking, cycling, and exploring. The shear number of routes is remarkable for such a small area and a testament to the efforts of it's charitable caretaker; Sustrans.
NCN Routes primarily focuses on traffic-free or low-traffic paths designed for families with children or beginner cyclists. Generally these routes follow repurposed rail lines, tow paths, and/or quiet lanes in order to limit contact with traffic; however, some routes may involve sections on roadways which may only be suitable for experienced cyclists.
Note to Readers: Examine the provided online maps closely to understand conditions prior to your ride. Each route listed includes a colour-coded map indicating specific terrain along with the distance(s). When considering difficulty; remember elevations +/- gains are equally important to distances. Printing the included .pdf maps and/or downloading the GPS file is highly recommeded.
Disclaimer of Liability. Bike Wales™ and everyone associated with this website/blog accept no responsibility for the conditions of the routes discussed. These are simply "suggested" routes of the National Cycle Network that the reader may choose to follow. Any action(s) taken from reading the content herein, is solely the responsibility of those involved.
