Adventure on Two Wheels
Cycling
Discover the heart of Wales on two wheels
Mid Wales forms the geographical heart of Wales, stretching from the rolling uplands of the Brecon Beacons National Park in the south to the quieter foothills of Snowdonia in the north. Its eastern edge traces the England–Wales border, while to the west, the land folds inward, separated from the swells of Cardigan Bay by the rural shires of Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire.
From ancient mountains to hidden valleys, Powys offers a cycling experience for everyone — from families to adrenaline-fuelled mountain bikers. Ride quiet country lanes, purpose-built trails, and traffic-free paths where every turn reveals a new view, a new story, a new adventure.
Your Perfect Ride Starts Here
Family and Leisure Cycling
Family & Leisure Cycling
Safe, scenic, and stress-free rides for all ages
Powys is ideal for family cycling. Canal towpaths, reservoirs, and forest trails offer traffic-free, gentle rides that are perfect for children or casual cyclists. Wildlife spotting, picnics, and short loops make for relaxed days in nature.
Recommended Routes:
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Montgomery Canal Towpath (NCN 81): Calm, scenic route linking Welshpool and Montgomery.
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Lake Vyrnwy & Elan Valley: Gentle loops around reservoirs with spectacular views.
Tip: Pack snacks, check local weather, and plan shorter loops to keep rides fun for kids.
Touring and Multi Day Adventures
Touring & Multi-Day Adventures
Connect towns, trails, and stories across Powys
Two National Cycle Routes cross the county, making it easy to plan multi-day adventures. Touring cyclists can link market towns, historic castles, and artisan food stops, sleeping in cosy B&Bs or local inns along the way. Powys’ quieter lanes, scenic river valleys, and rolling hills make touring here both rewarding and safe.
Suggested Routes:
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Radnor Ring: A 70–80 mile loop exploring Radnorshire’s valleys, forests, and villages. Ideal for multi-day touring.
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Montgomery Canal Towpath (NCN 81): Perfect for family-friendly touring or gentle multi-day rides along the towpath.
Touring in Powys blends cycling with discovery — every ride is an opportunity to explore hidden corners, historic villages, and unspoiled countryside.
Road Cycling
Road Cycling
Open roads, big skies, and endless climbs
Powys’ quiet lanes and sweeping valleys make it a haven for road cyclists. Long, rolling climbs thread through the Cambrian Mountains, linking villages, reservoirs, and open moorland. The roads reward effort with sweeping descents and panoramic views, often with minimal traffic — ideal for those chasing performance, scenic enjoyment, or long-distance exploration.
Notable Routes & Tips:
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Lôn Las Cymru (NCN 8): A famous north–south route through Powys, perfect for multi-day touring. (Cycling UK: Powys)
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NCN 42 / Radnor Ring: Circular routes offering moderate climbs and quiet lanes — great for day tours or overnight trips. (Sustrans: Radnor Ring)
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Tips: Bring a good map, plan for changing weather in the hills, and include stops at local cafés or heritage sites for refreshment and sightseeing.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking
Trails, forests, and pure adrenaline
Powys is a mountain biker’s paradise. The Cambrian Mountains, Brechfa Forest, and surrounding woodlands host trails for all skill levels — from flowing loops for beginners to technical singletrack and rocky descents for experts. Muddy climbs, fast turns, and sweeping trails make every ride an adventure.
Featured MTB Routes:
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Mach 1, 2, 3 Trails (Machynlleth): Loops of 10–20 miles with forest, moorland, and mixed terrain. Suitable for all skill levels. (Komoot Powys MTB Guide)
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Brechfa Forest Trails: Well-maintained MTB trails with flow sections, climbs, and scenic viewpoints.
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Tips: Bring a helmet, gloves, and a repair kit. Check trail conditions after wet weather, and consider using a GPS or GPX download for navigation.
Off Road Cycling
Off Road Cycling
Rugged terrain, hidden trails, and adventure around every corner
Powys’ off-road terrain offers a mix of gravel tracks, forest paths, and quiet farm lanes. Riders can enjoy gentle woodland loops or technical singletrack through valleys and upland moors.
Top Off-Road Options:
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Irfon View Trail (Llanwrtyd Wells): Forest tracks, river paths, and scenic valley terrain. Suitable for intermediate and adventurous riders. (Komoot Powys Guide)
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Elan Valley Trails: Mixed gravel and forest loops, perfect for adventure or endurance rides.
Tip: Off-road riding is best suited to all-terrain bikes or gravel bikes; always carry water, a map or GPS, and basic tools.
E-Bikes & Casual Riders
Explore further, ride longer, enjoy more
E-bikes make hills approachable and longer loops accessible for everyone.
Casual riders can enjoy valleys, lakes, and forest trails without fatigue, while still experiencing Powys’ dramatic scenery.
Routes can be easily adapted using Komoot or OS Maps to match distance and difficulty preferences.
Cycling Guides and Routes
Cycling Guides & Routes
Expert advice, mapped trails, and local insight
Helpful guides and maps make exploring Powys easier for every type of cyclist:
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Lôn Las Cymru (NCN 8): North–south touring route.
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NCN 42 / Radnor Ring: Circular day or multi-day routes.
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Montgomery Canal Towpath (NCN 81): Family-friendly towpath cycling.
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Mach 1, 2, 3 MTB Trails: Forest and moorland loops.
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OS Maps: Custom mapping for planning routes across Powys. (OS Maps)
Download here
Pumptracks and Skills Parks
Pumptracks and Skills Parks
Fun, flow, and skills development for all ages
Powys is home to several community pumptracks and skills parks, perfect for riders of all abilities. Pumptracks are purpose-built circuits of rollers, berms, and jumps that let cyclists, BMXers, and scooter riders ride without pedaling — using body movement to maintain momentum. They’re ideal for improving balance, control, and confidence in a fun, safe environment.
Key Pumptracks in Powys:
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Rhayader Pumptrack: A free, community-focused facility open year-round. Suitable for beginners, families, and more experienced riders looking to practice skills. (Rhayader Pumptrack)
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Builth Wells Pumptrack: A modern pumptrack in the town’s sports area, offering flowing curves and beginner-friendly loops. Ideal for children, teens, and casual riders looking to develop confidence and skills.
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Newtown Pumptrack: Recently upgraded, this track has beginner-friendly loops and flowing curves, great for families and casual practice.
Tips for Riding Pumptracks:
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Always wear a helmet; gloves and pads are recommended for younger riders.
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Start on smaller loops if you’re new, then progress to bigger berms and rollers as your confidence grows.
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Pumptracks are perfect for short practice sessions during touring stops or family days out, offering fun off-road exercise and skill-building for riders of all levels.
Powys’ pumptracks provide a safe, engaging environment to enjoy cycling off the roads and trails. They’re perfect for families, young riders, or anyone looking to improve their bike handling skills while having fun.
Bike Shops and Repairs
Bike Shops and Repair
Keep rolling — everything you need in Powys
Powys is well-equipped for cyclists of all types, whether you’re tackling mountain trails, touring on quiet country lanes, or enjoying family rides. Local bike shops provide sales, repairs, hire, and expert advice on local routes, ensuring you’re prepared for every kind of ride.
Clive Powell Mountain Bikes – Rhayader
A go-to destination for mountain biking enthusiasts. Specialising in MTB sales, repairs, and trail advice, Clive Powell Mountain Bikes also stocks parts, protective gear, and accessories. Whether you’re upgrading your bike or fixing a puncture before hitting the Cambrian Mountains, this shop has you covered.
Chris’s Cycles – Evenjobb, Presteigne
A family-run shop offering friendly, knowledgeable service. Chris’s Cycles provides bike sales, maintenance, and repairs, catering to both road cyclists and off-road riders. They can also advise on local rides and loops, making them ideal for touring or multi-day adventures.
Bike to the Future – Newtown
A community-focused cycling workshop, perfect for both casual riders and enthusiasts looking to get hands-on. Bike to the Future offers repairs, maintenance classes, and advice, and they support local cycling initiatives. It’s a great spot to meet other riders and learn practical bike skills. (More info)
Brooks Cycles – Welshpool
Specialists in repairs, accessories, and road cycling equipment. Brooks Cycles caters to touring and road cyclists, providing expert service, fittings, and guidance on scenic Powys routes. Ideal for riders needing quality parts, servicing, or advice on extended rides.
Drover Cycles – Hay-on-Wye
A versatile shop offering bike hire, sales, and local route advice. Perfect for visitors, Drover Cycles can help you hire a bike for a day’s ride, plan routes in Powys, and ensure your equipment is road-ready before heading out into the hills.
Tips for Cyclists in Powys:
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If you’re planning a multi-day ride, call ahead to check on hire or repair availability.
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Most shops can advise on local MTB trails, off-road loops, and family-friendly routes, which is invaluable for first-time visitors.
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Seasonal tips: In wet months, ensure tyres and brakes are checked before hitting forest trails or off-road paths.
National Cycle Museum
National Cycle Museum
Step into cycling history in the heart of Powys
Nestled in Llandrindod Wells, the National Cycle Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the story of two wheels. The museum celebrates over 200 years of cycling history, from the early penny-farthings to modern racing bikes and innovative designs.
Visitors can explore:
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Vintage and rare bicycles from every era
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Cycling memorabilia, including period clothing, advertising, and posters
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Stories of cycling pioneers who helped shape the sport and pastime we know today
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The museum is suitable for all ages. Families will enjoy interactive exhibits and the chance to see unusual bikes up close, while cycling enthusiasts can admire technical innovations and historic models that inspired modern bikes.
Practical Info:
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Located in Llandrindod Wells, easily accessible from main cycling routes in Powys
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Offers guided tours, events, and themed exhibitions throughout the year
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Great as a rest stop during touring or family rides, adding a cultural and historical dimension to your cycling adventure
Visit the National Cycle Museum for opening times, ticket information, and upcoming exhibitions.
The Tour de France
The Tour de France Is Coming to Powys In July 2027,
Powys will step onto the world stage as the Tour de France comes to Wales for the very first time. The county will host the final day of the Tour’s Grand Départ, with the stage starting in Welshpool and travelling through the heart of Mid Wales before finishing in Cardiff.
It’s a landmark moment for Welsh cycling — and one that shines a light on landscapes long loved by riders. Quiet roads, rolling hills, historic market towns and wide-open countryside will form the backdrop to the world’s greatest race, offering spectators a rare chance to experience the Tour up close in one of Britain’s most scenic settings.
Powys is no stranger to cycling. Previous stages of the Tour of Britain and the Women’s Tour have shown the county’s strength as a cycling destination, from family-friendly routes and traffic-free paths to challenging climbs, off-road trails and mountain bike centres.
The Grand Départ will also sit at the heart of an extraordinary summer in Powys, alongside the Royal Welsh Show, International Six Day Enduro and the National Eisteddfod — a season of sport, culture and celebration.
Inspired by the Tour? Explore our cycling routes, guides and bike-friendly places to stay, and discover why Powys is a destination worth riding — long after the peloton has passed through.
#LeTour #TourDeFrance #GrandDepartGB2027