NCN Route 88: Newport - Caerleon
Newport to Caerleon
Following designated cycle routes through a city can often be rather difficult. Fortunately, Newport has done an excellent job creating a series of raised walkways and traffic-free paths to guide you to the historic village of Caerleon.
88
Newport - Caerleon
Overview
• Distance: 4.7 mi. / 7.56 km
• Elevation: +155 ft / -159 ft
• Travel Time: ± 1 hour
• Level: Beginner
• Elevation: +155 ft / -159 ft
• Travel Time: ± 1 hour
• Level: Beginner
Leaving out from the train station, there is a raised cycle path just past the taxi stand which leads up and over the railines toward the rear of the station itself. You will snake along this path a short distance to where it then drops down alongside the very busy Shaftesbury Street.
The route then becomes a shared-use path which continues for roughly .35 mi. before merging onto Ailesbury Street as it enters a quiet housing estate. Cycle to the end of the street, turn right onto Aragon Street and cycle to the end, turning left onto Albany Street where the route becomes a shared-use path again for approximately .4 mi.
Just past the roundabout, the street ends, but the path continues through a gate to become traffic-free. This wonderful section first passes under the M4 motorway to then weave its way alongside the River Usk for roughly 2 miles. Of special note is the lovely raised boardwalk as you enter the outskirts of Caerleon.
The last part of the route is a combination of quiet lanes and shared-use walking/cycling paths that weave their way behind a housing estate, garden alotments, and Caerleon Comprehensive School. As you pass the school, just to your left will be the Caerleon Roman Barracks. Continue to the next road to see the Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre. If you turn left at the junction, you will also find the National Roman Legion Museum .25 mi. ahead on the High Street.
The route then becomes a shared-use path which continues for roughly .35 mi. before merging onto Ailesbury Street as it enters a quiet housing estate. Cycle to the end of the street, turn right onto Aragon Street and cycle to the end, turning left onto Albany Street where the route becomes a shared-use path again for approximately .4 mi.
Just past the roundabout, the street ends, but the path continues through a gate to become traffic-free. This wonderful section first passes under the M4 motorway to then weave its way alongside the River Usk for roughly 2 miles. Of special note is the lovely raised boardwalk as you enter the outskirts of Caerleon.
The last part of the route is a combination of quiet lanes and shared-use walking/cycling paths that weave their way behind a housing estate, garden alotments, and Caerleon Comprehensive School. As you pass the school, just to your left will be the Caerleon Roman Barracks. Continue to the next road to see the Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre. If you turn left at the junction, you will also find the National Roman Legion Museum .25 mi. ahead on the High Street.
| COLOUR KEY: | Traffic-free | Shared Use | Quiet Road | Steep Hill |
Additional Details:
• Train Station(s): Newport Train Station / National Rail
• Bus Stations: Newport Bus
• Parking: There is ample fee parking at the Newport Train Station, but you may also find parking for free in the adjacent neighbourhoods nearby.
• Bike Shop: Not far from the train station and just over the River Usk is: South Wales Bikes; a full-service bike & e-bike specialist.
• Bus Stations: Newport Bus
• Parking: There is ample fee parking at the Newport Train Station, but you may also find parking for free in the adjacent neighbourhoods nearby.
• Bike Shop: Not far from the train station and just over the River Usk is: South Wales Bikes; a full-service bike & e-bike specialist.
Additional Links:
• Sustrans webpage: Route 88
• Ride w/ GPS map: Newport to Caerleon
• Map for print: NCN Route 88: Newport to Caerleon
• Ride w/ GPS map: Newport to Caerleon
• Map for print: NCN Route 88: Newport to Caerleon
Note: If you wish to carry-on, the road from Hanbury Arms can be followed across the River Usk and onto Bullmore Road. Here you can follow the Caerleon to Usk Route for 9.2 miles to the medieval town of Usk.
Points of Interest
National Roman Legion Museum - This fascinating museum explores the history of Isca Augusta, a Roman fortress built c. AD 75. As one of only three permanent Roman legionary bases in Britain, the fortress housed the elite Second Augustan Legion for over two centuries. The museum showcases a rich collection of artifacts, including weaponry, armor, everyday items, the oldest recorded writing in Wales, and a complete stone coffin. Visitors can also experience a Roman garden, view barrack reconstructions, and explore nearby ruins like the impressive baths and the most complete Roman amphitheatre in Britain. It brings this fascinating ancient history alive. ► Read more...
Caerleon Roman Amphitheatre - Just outside the walls of the Roman fortress of Isca Augusta lies Britain’s most completely excavated Roman amphitheatre. Built c. AD 90, this earth and timber structure was later reinforced and faced with stone. It could hold up to 6,000 spectators—enough to seat the entire Second Augustan Legion stationed at the nearby base. While the amphitheatre hosted gladiatorial combat and wild beast hunts to entertain the troops, its primary purpose was served as a parade ground and military training area. Today, the well-preserved earthworks offer a striking glimpse into the military culture of Roman Britain. ► Read more...
Caerleon Roman Barracks - Located at Prysg Field, the Caerleon Roman Barracks are the only Roman legionary barracks visible in Europe today. Built to house the Second Augustan Legion, these ruins offer a rare glimpse into Roman military life and display the standardized layout of Roman military housing. The excavated foundations show how the rank-and-file legionaries lived in cramped conditions with groups of eight soldiers sharing small, two-room suites for sleeping and storing their gear. In stark contrast, the commanding centurion enjoyed a much larger, spacious suite at the end of the block. Visitors can also see the remains of communal latrines and bread ovens. ► Read more...
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.
