Carmarthenshire - The cycling hub of Wales
Carmarthenshire has 23 great road routes for confident cyclists after a challenge, with distances ranging from 10 miles to 65 miles; covering coastal paths, countryside lanes and bustling market towns. Our favourite is the West Carmarthenshire route because it is so diverse; taking you up into the hills and down to the coast, passing through the beautiful and mythical landscape to the North and visiting the coastal landscape to the South that inspired Dylan Thomas to make this his home and final resting place; with 2 Castles and Wales longest beach. On your bike the contrast between North and South is breathtaking.
For info on all the other Carmarthenshire routes click here: PLOTAROUTE, Where all routes are available to download. http://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/explore/road-cycling/
DIRECTIONS
Starting from Holidaynests there is a steep climb up the hill to join the route. Click this link for Directions: http://www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/explore/road-cycling/west-carmarthenshire-routes/
WEST CARMARTHENSHIRE ROUTE
A diverse cycle route around the western area of Carmarthenshire combining coast and countryside with quiet roads and great scenery.
Start: Whitland
Total Distance: 102km/63 miles
Total Elevation: 1650m/5400ft
Difficulty Rating: 6/10
Estimated Time: 4 to 7 hours
Long Route Profile https://www.plotaroute.com/route/903206
Short Route Profile https://www.plotaroute.com/route/980710
ROUTE INFORMATION
Great location for riding the hills and beautiful Carmarthenshire coast, almost entirely agricultural, passing through a few picturesque villages and skirting small towns.
On the Northen Section; with good weather the Preseli hills are visible at times, and as the elevation increases there are often nice views of the coastline, as far as the Gower. It is 250m elevation at the highest point.
The Southern Section is mostly coastal, and the Towns to be highlighted are here:
Llanstephan, with a beach at the mouth of the estuary and an impressive Castle at the top of the hill, where the River Taf and the River Towy enter the Sea. There is good fish and chips to be had at the beach Car Park and a couple of pubs in the village.
Laugharne, known as the final home of Dylan Thomas, where his boathouse (which is now a museum), and his Writing Shed (where much of his famous writing was done), are now a must see on a trip to this part of Wales. Laugharne is also the site of a beautiful Castle in a commanding position over looking the Taf Estuary.
Pendine, is the town with speed at its heart, where the 7 mile long hard sandy beach made it the location for many speed record attempts and the Museum of Speed demonstartes is impressive History.
The hit BBC Drama 'Keeping Faith' was mostly filmed at the places along this Southern part of the Route.
Overall it is a route of surprises, it will challenge and will demonstrate just why Carmarthenshire is know as 'The Cycling Hub of Wales', and 'The Garden County of Wales'; with rolling hillsides, fantastic views and long stretches of Coastline, and more than a few hidden gems and less known features along the way.