Route finder – part 1

Route 1 – Black Mountains, Brecon Beacons and Rhondda Valleys

This is the usual short”Sunday” route, taking in the Black Mountains, over winding, almost alpine roads and alongside rivers and streams through deep valleys. We follow the old coach road from the market town of Llandovery and into the Brecon Beacons National Park. We traverse the park north to South and detour to the famous Rhondda Valleys, where there are more eye popping views to be had and you can see how the demise of the coal industry has led to the greening of the valleys. From here we again cross the beacons to the county town of Brecon, returning via the upper reaches of the Swansea Valley.

Route 2 – Forest of Dean

Heading out from the picturesque town of Brecon, we follow the River Usk as it meanders its way seaward. Touching the edge of the South Wales coalfield, we take a short detour over the spectacular moors and passing through Abergavenny, we head to Chepstow on the winding back roads. The scenery changes as we follow the river Wye on a North-bound course, past the ruins of Tintern Abbey, through the deep forested Wye Valley and into the Forest of Dean. We stop at the amazing look out point at Symonds Yat, where we can look up and down the Wye, and see Peregrine Falcons at their nest – from above! A final detour takes on the back roads past the ruined majesty of Skenfrith Castle and we follow the Brecon and Monmouth canal bake to our starting point

Route 3 – North Pembrokeshire Coast

Such is the Variety of Pembrokeshire – it’s impossible to see everything iy has to offer in a single days’s riding. This route crosses the Black Mountains to the quaint market down of Llandeilo and on down the genteel and picturesque valley carved by the River Towy to the county town of Carmarthen. North from here, taking in the spectacular bridge and gorge at Cennarth known as the Salmons Leap. From here we skirt the coast and traverse the impressive Presseli Mountains, home of the giant Stonehenge “bluestones”. Then we loop around the coast once more and return again via Carmarthen, if time and light allows, we might fit in the cliff top ramparts of Carreg Cennen castle on our way home.