National Cycle Route 81 (Wales section)
This section of the National Cycle Route 81 runs from Welshpool to Aberystwyth over 2 stages: 137 km and 1,218 m of climbing in the UK. Every stage has a map, elevation profile, road facts and a GPX file.
Route at a glance
- Distance
- 137 km
- Climbing
- 1,218 m
- Stages
- 2
- Countries
- 1
- Average stage
- 69 km
- Longest stage
- 71.7 km
- Most climbing
- 743 m
- Riding time
- ~10 h
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Bike
- Gravel bike
- Best months
- May to Sep
- GPX
- Every stage + whole tour
- Start
- Welshpool
- Finish
- Aberystwyth
Full route map
Itinerary: 2 stages
Average 69 km and 609 m a stage. Longest day: stage 1 (71.7 km). Most climbing: stage 1 (743 m). Shortest: stage 2 (65.4 km).
| Stage | Route | Country | Distance | Climbing | Surface | Difficulty | Time | GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Welshpool to Rhayader | UK | 71.7 km | 743 m | Mixed surface | Hard | 5 h 07 min | GPX |
| 2 | Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr to Aberystwyth | UK | 65.4 km | 475 m | Mixed surface | Moderate | 4 h 40 min | GPX |
How difficult is this tour?
137 km and 1,218 m of climbing over 2 stages: 69 km and 609 m a stage on average.
The longest day is stage 1, Welshpool to Rhayader (71.7 km); the most climbing is on stage 1, Welshpool to Rhayader (743 m); the shortest is stage 2, Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr to Aberystwyth (65.4 km).
At 69 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 50–90 km.
Riders can go faster or slower than the documented itinerary: the same 137 km is 3 riding days at 60 km a day, 2 riding days at 80 km a day and 2 riding days at 100 km a day.
Surface and traffic
Mixed surface: 74% is mapped as paved and 25% as gravel or unpaved.
44 km (32%) is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane; 5 km (4%) is on main roads without one, and 19 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more.
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 34 km, on stage 2.
Signed routes this tour follows
- National Cycle Route 81 (Wales section) - stages 1, 2
Best time to ride
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Sep are good for riding along the whole route.
Logistics
- 2 of 2 stage finishes have a hotel, guesthouse or campsite mapped within a short ride of the finish.
- The longest stretch without a café, shop or water on any stage is 34 km, on stage 2.
What it was actually like to ride
About this tour
National Cycle Route 81 in Wales runs for 137 km over two stages, beginning at Welshpool and finishing at Aberystwyth. The route reaches a maximum height of 402 m and features a total ascent of 1218 m.
The first stage from Welshpool to Rhayader covers 71.7 km with 743 m of climbing. This section includes several climbs, notably one starting at 25.5 km that rises 196 m over 4.3 km at an average gradient of 4.6%, peaking at 314 m. Other climbs range between 1.4 km and 4.9 km with average gradients from 3.2% to 4.6% and maximum gradients up to 8.8%. The highest point reached on this stage is 338 m. There are 35 possible water or food stops along this leg.
The second stage runs 65.4 km from Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr to Aberystwyth, ascending 475 m. It has several smaller climbs; the longest is 2.3 km averaging 2.2% gradient, and the steepest section reaches 10.3% over 1.2 km. The highest elevation on this stage is 402 m. Seventeen water or food stops are noted on this leg.
The route passes through numerous settlements including Welshpool, Newtown, Rhayader, and Aberystwyth. The total climb is moderate, with gradients generally under 10%, suitable in varying weather as no specific temperature or month data is available. Water and food stops are reasonably frequent, with more in the first stage.
No border crossings or specific seasonal information is provided. The path includes a sequence of short to medium climbs with the main elevation gained early in the first stage. The second stage is shorter with gentler ascents finishing at the coast town of Aberystwyth.
Photos from the road
Stage 1 · Welshpool to Rhayader 
Stage 2 · Llansantffraed-Cwmdeuddwr to Aberystwyth
Questions riders ask
How far is Welshpool to Aberystwyth by bike?
137 km along this route, in 2 stages averaging 69 km.
How long does it take to cycle from Welshpool to Aberystwyth?
Moving time is estimated at about 10 hours. At 60 km a day it is 3 days, 80 km a day it is 2 days and 100 km a day it is 2 days.
How much climbing is involved?
1,218 m in total. The most climbing in a day is 743 m on stage 1, Welshpool to Rhayader.
How difficult is the route?
At 69 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 50–90 km. The longest day is 71.7 km.
Is it suitable for a road bike?
74% of the route is mapped as paved and 25% as gravel or unpaved (1% has no surface data). Based on that: gravel bike.
Is there a GPX file?
Yes. Every stage has its own GPX download, and the whole tour is available as one GPX file with a track per stage.
What is the best time of year?
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Sep are good for riding along the whole route.