A route devised to highlight geology, landscape and associated heritage by linking geological sites in the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark, it makes a sinuous north-south traverse from the Severn in Shropshire through Wyre Forest coalfield to the windblown sands of Hartlebury Common near Stourport, crossing to the Abberley Hills and then along the crests of the ancient Malvern Hills. In Gloucestershire it traverses the Leadon valley and visits May Hill and Huntley Quarry Geological Reserve before crossing the Vale of Gloucester and Severn as the Cotswold Hills come into full view.

This ridge loop that surrounds Garner Valley gives beautiful views on all sides! It’s a mix of fire roads, 3.5 miles of a two lane highway, abandon Jeep roads turned animal Trail and 16.5 miles of the iconic PCT! A little bit of everything! The route hangs between 5000 to 7000 feet as it meanders through pine studded forests, manzanita hill country and flower filled meadows.
 

Lon Las Cymru’s main line, aka National Cycle Network route 8, is the route followed by most cyclists: but there’s an alternate start point, and two challenging ‘braids’ in Snowdonia.

Instead of starting in Cardiff, you can set off from Chepstow, just on the English border. Entirely on-road along some lovely quiet lanes, this option (NCN 42) is particularly well-suited to road bikes, avoiding the railway paths and forestry tracks of the main route. It slowly climbs up to the famous Gospel Pass, the highest in Wales, before descending to rejoin the main route near Hay-on-Wye.