Wanderlust Travel Magazine (UK)
WIN! A TWO-NIGHT CYCLING BREAK FOR TWO IN CARMARTHENSHIRE
Includes a stay, breakfast and dinner at The Plough Rhosmaen and lunch at the Coaltown Coffee Roastery Canteen...
Whizz down mountains to feel the wind in your hair. Pedal by coursing rivers, sandy bays and epic castles. Glide along green river valleys and discover bustling market towns with friendly locals. Sounds good doesn’t it? Here’s how you can win this fresh-air filled cycling trip for two to Carmarthenshire in Wales...
A ride with a view
Bookended by the Brecon Beacons and the golden stretch of Carmarthen Bay, Carmarthenshire offers up 23 routes that criss-cross wild coastal paths, rural lanes and iconic mountains, suiting all levels. Don’t miss the traffic-free
Millennium Coastal Path to pass Burry Port Marina and lighthouse.
For an easy ride with beautiful scenery, try the Tywi Valley tour. Starting from Carmarthen, you’ll head north into the countryside, following the river Tywi into picturesque Llandeilo before climbing gently up to the colourful town of Llandovery.
Stepping it up a gear, the West Carmarthenshire route winds you around quiet country roads and rolling hills. Lap up the sea views from the 12th-century castle at Llansteffan before cycling past another castle and Dylan Thomas’ boathouse at Laugharne, both overlooking the Taf estuary.
For something more challenging try one of the Big Hills and Big Views routes over Black Mountain in Brecon Beacons National Park – worth the climb for the views as far reaching as the Devon coastline one way and the Cambrian Mountains the other.
Fuel for thought
After a day’s biking, you’ll receive a warm croeso (welcome) from the Plough Rhosmaen, a four-star boutique hotel on the edge of the Brecon Beacons. Refuel at their award-winning restaurant, serving up full Welsh breakfasts – with laverbread and cockles – and delicious evening meals.
Ammanford’s Coaltown Coffee Roastery Canteen is also providing a slap-up lunch, so you can fill up on fresh coffee and wood-fired pizza. Have a rest from biking in nearby Llandeilo, where you’ll hear the Welsh language spoken as you potter around the shops and cafes. It even has its own gin house, so you can raise a glass to glorious Carmarthenshire.