National Cycle Route 8
53°18′32″N 4°37′59″W / 53.309°N 4.633°W
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/National_Cycle_Network_sign_near_Harlech.jpg/220px-National_Cycle_Network_sign_near_Harlech.jpg)
National Cycle Route 8 (or NCR 8) is a route of the National Cycle Network, running from Cardiff to Holyhead. The route passes through the heart of Wales, and is also known by its Welsh name Lôn Las Cymru (English: Wales' Blue Lane). It is largely north-south from Holyhead to Cardiff or Chepstow, and in total measures some 400 km (250 mi) in length. Some of its route follows the trackbed of former railway lines, such as Lôn Las Menai, Lôn Eifion, the Mawddach Trail and the Taff Trail; in other places, the route is on public highways. A road bike with racing tyres would struggle on the former surfaces; a hybrid or 'hard tail' mountain bike fitted with wide road tyres would be a better choice.
Both ends are easily accessible via the rail network. It is possibly better done North to South, finishing in Cardiff, the capital city.
Route
Cardiff to Brecon
This largely follows the Taff Trail:
Cardiff | Pontypridd | Abercynon | Merthyr Tydfil | Brecon
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
Alternative: Chepstow to Glasbury
Lon Las Cymru provides an alternative south route for those coming into Wales from the Severn Bridge, following Route 42 from Chepstow to Glasbury, where it joins Route 8:
Chepstow | Usk | Abergavenny | Glasbury
There is also a small loop at the top of Route 42 providing links to Hay-on-Wye.
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
Brecon to Machynlleth
Brecon | Talgarth | Glasbury | Erwood | Builth Wells | Newbridge on Wye | Llanwrthwl | Rhayader | Llangurig | Llanidloes | Staylittle | Machynlleth
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
Machynlleth to Porthmadog
Machynlleth | Dolgellau | Trawsfynydd | Penrhyndeudraeth | Porthmadog
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
Porthmadog to Holyhead
Porthmadog | Penygroes | Caernarfon | Bangor | Holyhead
![]() | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
External links
- Sustrans map and description - north section
- Sustrans map and description - south section
- Sustrans Routes2Ride: Cycling Lôn Las Cymru
- Wales Trails
- A map of the route