Published 1 May 2024

Cycling in the Brecon Beacons

View over Brecon Beacons in the sunshine

Lying in the green heart of Wales, the Brecon Beacons is one of Britain’s best places to discover on two wheels. The national park (now known as Bannau Brycheiniog) is home to stunning scenery including rolling hills, rugged rock faces and cascading waterfalls – all of which are accessible to cyclists exploring the park's roads and traffic-free trails. Find out more about the best places to go cycling in the Brecon Beacons, whether you’re looking for easy, moderate or challenging routes.

Good cycle routes in the Brecon Beacons

Easy cycle routes

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Towpath (35 miles/56 kilometres)

A route that's great for cyclists of all ages and abilities, the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Towpath is a popular Brecon Beacons route that's almost entirely traffic-free. This flat and easy path only has a few gentle climbs and passes through a lot of the most popular towns and villages in the national park, including Abergavenny, Crickhowell and Talybont-on-Usk, so there are lots of places you can start and stop and plenty of spots for refreshments. Most of the route is tree-lined, so you'll see plenty of wildlife along the way – but that also means that you might want to check out some of our other favourite routes if you've set your heart on uninterrupted views of the mountains.

Bridge over canal surrounded by trees

Usk Reservoir Circular (5 miles/8 kilometres)

With views over water, mountains and the surrounding Glasfynydd Forest, this circular bike trail, which is totally traffic-free, is another great route for easy cycling. The trail is made up of a mix of forestry tracks and tarmac, with only a small amount of ascent required. This peaceful loop runs alongside a stony beach past deciduous and conifer trees and is located in an area known for its wildlife – keep an eye on the sky and you might see red kites soaring up above. Handily, there are picnic areas dotted around the track, with pubs and bike hire available two miles to the north in Talybont-on-Usk.

Moderate cycle routes

View over the Usk Reservoir

The Taff Trail (55 miles/88 kilometres)

The northern half of this long-distance trail passes through the Brecon Beacons National Park, reaching its highest point at the Usk Reservoir (see Usk Reservoir Circular, above). Starting in the Welsh capital, Cardiff, the route gets progressively steeper as it approaches the Brecon Beacons, but this is also the most scenic part of the journey – if you only want to do a short stretch, the steep descent through Llanfrynach down to Brecon is renowned for being particularly pretty.

Clydach Gorge (8 miles/13 kilometres)

Most old railway lines make for easy cycling, but a journey along this route is a little more challenging. Following the tracks of the former Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway between Brynmawr and Llanfoist (near Abergavenny), the path has quite a lot of ascent and runs past evidence of the Brecon Beacons' mining and quarrying past. The views here are simply stunning, whether you're gazing up at the hills or pedalling past wooded glades and fields of sheep. While most of the route is traffic-free, there are a few sections on quiet country roads.

Challenging cycle routes

The Tumble (3 miles/5 kilometres)

Starting in the peaceful village of Govilon, this is a short but intense ride that's well known among road cyclists as being one of the most challenging in South Wales. The first half of the route is a steady 10% incline, with several hairpin bends along the way. After passing the tree line, the top half of the route can be quite exposed and windy, but the views are spectacular on a clear day. After gaining 400 metres in just five kilometres, you'll definitely deserve an ice cream from the van that's often parked at the summit.

Gospel Pass (8 miles/13 kilometres)

Conquering the Gospel Pass on your bike is perhaps the pinnacle of road cycling in the Brecon Beacons. This route starts in the popular market town of Hay-on-Wye and follows the highest paved road in Wales; its punishing 500-metre ascent is compensated for by the stunning vistas over the Black Mountains. When you come out at the top of the pass, you'll be surrounded by the gorgeous green fields of the Vale of Ewyas, with views that stretch across the border into the English countryside.

Still looking for your perfect cycling day out? Check out more routes in our Brecon Beacons mountain biking guide.

Tips for cycling in the Brecon Beacons

Looking down on a bike from a riders position

When to go

The Brecon Beacons are at their most popular during the summer months, when long daylight hours and more favourable weather make cycling a popular activity. That said, many prefer the quieter months of spring and autumn, when the lack of crowds and cheaper accommodation prices can create a relaxing experience.

What to bring

Aside from essentials like helmets and water bottles, you might want to pack the following for your Brecon Beacons cycling trip:

A bike pump and puncture repair kit
A solar charging device or external battery pack (useful if you’re using your phone for navigation)
Lightweight clothes that can be easily adjusted when the weather changes
A basic first aid kit
Padded cycling shorts (especially good for boosting comfort on long rides or when cycling in cold weather)

Pit stops

There are many pubs, restaurants and cafés in the Brecon Beacons that welcome cyclists. Check out the Cake Rider website to see their list of tried and tested cycling stop-overs.