Lôn Cambria: Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury
Lôn Cambria crosses the heart of beautiful Mid Wales through the Cambrian mountains, tracing a picturesque 113-mile route from the coast at Aberystwyth to the historic border town of Shrewsbury.
Leaving behind the Victorian seaside resort of Aberystwyth the route follows the River Ystwyth along the valley floor then climbs steeply through Pont-rhyd-y-groes to join a spectacular and remote mountain road east of Cwmystwyth. This in turn leads to a wonderful descent on the traffic-free Elan Valley Trail alongside the beautiful Elan Valley reservoirs down to Rhayader.
Lôn Las Cymru (National Cycle Network Route 8) is followed north on a delightfully quiet, gated lane parallel to the River Wye to Llangurig. The watershed is crossed as you pass from the Wye Valley to the Severn Valley to the north of Llangurig, dropping down to Llanidloes where Lôn Las Cymru turns northwest towards Machynlleth and Lôn Cambria continues northeast to Caersws. One of the steepest climbs of the whole route comes after Caersws giving you all the more reason to enjoy the flat, traffic-free section along the Montgomery Canal towpath through Newtown before joining the quiet lane network to Welshpool.
A final climb on the Roman Road over Long Mountain offers panoramic views before a descent through riverside meadows to the market town of Shrewsbury with its rail connections for the journey home. National Cycle Network Route 81 continues east through Shropshire to Wolverhampton and Birmingham.
Natural attractions:
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The Ystwyth Valley
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Cambrian mountains
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Elan Valley Reservoirs
Visitor attractions:
- National Library, Aberystwyth
- Elan Valley Visitor Centre
Route submitted by: Sustrans
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Comments (1)
Key route details
- Region/Area:
Mid Wales
- Distance:
113 miles
- Time needed:
2-3 days
- Classification:
Challenge
- Surface:
Mixed
- NCN Route:
National Route 81
- Start:
Aberystwyth
- Finish:
Shrewsbury
- Access:
Train stations at Aberystwyth, Caersws, Newtown, Welshpool and Shrewsbury.
- Maps and guides:
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Lôn Cambria & Lôn Teifi NN81 £6.99
Lôn Cambria & Lôn Teifi Guidebook – £6.99
- Links with:
Lôn Teifi at Pont-rhyd-y-groes southeast of Aberystwyth.
Lôn Las Cymru between Rhayader and Llanidloes.
- Weather:
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Mon
max: 8°C min: 1°C
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Tue
max: 10°C min: 7°C
-
Wed
max: 10°C min: 6°C
-
Thu
max: 10°C min: 8°C
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16/09/08, at 11:28 PM
I am a liasion ranger for route 81(Lon Cambria) and would be pleased to receive any comments from people who have used the route. I have produced an accomodation list for the route and could e-mail it to anybody who would like it. My e-mail is [email protected]