Cycling from Bwthyn Gilfach

Arguably, the best way to explore and enjoy the scenery and outdoor experience of Ceredigion is by bike - on or off of the road, mountain biking trails or just riding along country lanes. Indeed, Ceredigion has designated five towns as ideal hubs for cycling: Aberaeron, New Quay and Cardigan along the coast and Lampeter and Tregaron inland along the Teifi Valley. Each one of these boast a series of (generally) circular signposted routes for short and longer rides.

Bwthyn Gilfach is located in the perfect position to enjoy planned routes, challenging mountain climbs or just a self-guided stroll through quiet country lanes and navigable cycle tracks.

Before you arrive, for guests arriving without a car, West Wales Retreat is more than happy to arrange for the pre-ordering of essential grocery items – just let us know!

We cannot promise that we have undertaken every one of the following routes and they are meant as a guide to the wide range of cycling activities you can enjoy from West Wales Retreat:

Mountain Biking in Ceredigion

In 2017, a purpose-built Skills Park opened at Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian Forest, 10 miles east from Aberystwyth. The ‘pump track’ boasts a number of ‘loops’ with 'rollers' and 'table tops’, ideal for riders of all abilities or just as a warm-up for the following trails:

• The 10km Pendam Trail (red)
• The 10 to 20km Summit Trail (red)
• The longer Syfydrin Trail (black)

Have a look at Mountain Bike Wales’ Website.

Or, Machynlleth in the Dyfi Biosphere there’s the base for the ‘ClimachX’ trail, a 15km round trip sited in the Dyfi forest.

Many of Ceredigion's bridleways are also suitable for mountain biking.​​

Other Routes

There are several long-distance routes that navigate through Ceredigion.  Even some of the smaller roads make lovely cycling routes (with the advantage that there is never a pub that far away!).  A close one for off-road enthusiasts is the track from Aberaeron to Llanechaeron, starting from the Aberaeron Tourist Information Centre.

Here are two popular ones:

Or just make one up as you go along!  Do let us know the route that you have taken so that we can pass this information on.

At the end of your day, West Wales Retreat offers the following facilities:

• Access to outside water point for washing cycles and outdoor clothing (or there is the washing machine inside)
• Outside drying area for clothes and footwear
• A lockable undercover area adjacent to Bwthyn Gilfach for the safe overnight storage of cycles – no need to bring your cycles into the cottage
• Emergency cycle & puncture repair kit