National Cycle Route 43
Encyclopedia
National Cycle Network, Route 43 is part of the National Cycle Network
and the Celtic Trail
, which connects Swansea
with Builth Wells
. Most of the route is still awaiting development. As of June 2006, there is a 13-mile section out of Swansea that is open and signed.
.
near the Swansea Bay barrage. It runs alongside the Tawe west bank past the Sainsbury's store where cyclists have to cross via a pedestrian crossing at the Quay Parade bridge. Once across the road, the route turns right over the Quay Parade bridge. Once over the bridge, there is an immediate left turn into a dedicated path which follows the west bank of the River Tawe as far as the Pentre-Chwyth traffic junction, in the White Rock area. To the left of this path the Hafod copper works are visible.
Signage for the route is poor at the White Rock
area and there are a number of alternate routes northwards that can be taken there. The most traffic free route from the Pentre-Chwyth junction continues left into the Morfa Retail Park, over the Liberty Stadium
foot bridge, then right again following the east bank of the River Tawe past the Liberty Stadium, then under the Landore viaduct
.
, and is flat all the way, however there are several barriers which require cyclists to dismount. Kingfishers can be seen, especially close to Pontardawe. The path in the area can be busy with dog walkers.
. The cycle path continues through the Pontardawe recreation ground alongside the river.
mountain range to Trecastle
at the northern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
, to Tirabad
and Llangammarch Wells
, then on to Builth Wells
where it joins Route 8
(Lon Las Cymru).
National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network is a network of cycle routes in the United Kingdom.The National Cycle Network was created by the charity Sustrans , and aided by a £42.5 million National Lottery grant. In 2005 it was used for over 230 million trips.Many routes hope to minimise contact with motor...
and the Celtic Trail
Celtic Trail cycle route
The Celtic Trail is a network of dedicated cycle routes in the National Cycle Network, crossing West, South and Mid Wales, and covering 377 miles in total. It is divided into east and west sections. The west section links Pembroke and Fishguard on the west coast to Swansea, and the east section...
, which connects Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
with Builth Wells
Builth Wells
Builth Wells is a town in the county of Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Wye and the River Irfon, in the Welsh of the Wye Valley. It has a population of 2,352....
. Most of the route is still awaiting development. As of June 2006, there is a 13-mile section out of Swansea that is open and signed.
The route
The existing developed part of the route uses existing cycleways and canal Paths and follows the River TaweRiver Tawe
The River Tawe is a river in South Wales. It flows in a principally south-westerly direction for some from its source below Moel Feity in the Old Red Sandstone hills of the western Brecon Beacons to the Bristol Channel at Swansea. Its main tributaries are the right bank Upper and Lower Clydach...
.
Swansea
The route begins in the Maritime QuarterMaritime Quarter
The Maritime Quarter, or Swansea Marina, is a residential area of Swansea, Wales, UK located immediately south of the city centre shopping core. It falls within Swansea's Castle ward...
near the Swansea Bay barrage. It runs alongside the Tawe west bank past the Sainsbury's store where cyclists have to cross via a pedestrian crossing at the Quay Parade bridge. Once across the road, the route turns right over the Quay Parade bridge. Once over the bridge, there is an immediate left turn into a dedicated path which follows the west bank of the River Tawe as far as the Pentre-Chwyth traffic junction, in the White Rock area. To the left of this path the Hafod copper works are visible.
Signage for the route is poor at the White Rock
Landore
Landore is the name of an electoral ward, a community in the City and County of Swansea, Wales, UK. The community does not have a community council....
area and there are a number of alternate routes northwards that can be taken there. The most traffic free route from the Pentre-Chwyth junction continues left into the Morfa Retail Park, over the Liberty Stadium
Liberty Stadium, Swansea
The Liberty Stadium is a purpose-built sports stadium and conferencing venue in the Landore area of Swansea, Wales. The stadium is all-seated, with a capacity of 20,532 making it the largest purpose-built venue in Swansea and the third largest stadium in Wales after the Millennium Stadium and the...
foot bridge, then right again following the east bank of the River Tawe past the Liberty Stadium, then under the Landore viaduct
Landore viaduct
The Landore viaduct is a railway viaduct over the Swansea valley and the River Tawe at Landore in south Wales. It provides a link between Swansea city centre and the West Wales Line to the South Wales Main Line. The valley crossing provides a panoramic view of Landore, Kilvey Hill, the Liberty...
.
Clydach
The main route through Clydach follows the direction of the Swansea CanalSwansea Canal
The Swansea Canal was a canal constructed by the Swansea Canal Navigation Company between 1794 and 1798, running for some from Swansea to Hen Neuadd, Abercraf in South Wales. It was steeply graded, and 36 locks were needed to enable it to rise over its length...
, and is flat all the way, however there are several barriers which require cyclists to dismount. Kingfishers can be seen, especially close to Pontardawe. The path in the area can be busy with dog walkers.
Pontardawe
In Pontardawe the splits into two sections at the rear of Pontardawe leisure centre. One cycle path goes to the east of the leisure centre alongside the River Tawe. The other path keeps following the canal tow path to YstradgynlaisYstradgynlais
Ystradgynlais is a town on the River Tawe in south west Powys; it is the second largest town in Powys, Wales. The town grew around the iron-making, coal-mining and watch-making industries....
. The cycle path continues through the Pontardawe recreation ground alongside the river.
Brecon Beacons
The route soon connects with Route 46 at the Heads of the Valleys road, and travels over the Fforest FawrFforest Fawr
Fforest Fawr is the name given to an extensive upland area in the county of Powys, Wales. Formerly known as the 'Great Forest of Brecknock' in English, it was a royal hunting area for several centuries but is now used primarily for sheep grazing, forestry, water catchment and recreation...
mountain range to Trecastle
Trecastle
Trecastle is a village in Powys, Wales, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.Trecastle is named after an early 12th century motte-and-bailey fortification , built by Bernard de Neufmarche and designed to protect Brecon from attack from the west...
at the northern boundary of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Builth Wells
The route continues on minor roads across the west flank of Mynydd EpyntMynydd Epynt
Mynydd Epynt is an upland area of Mid Wales within the county of Powys, Wales. It is bounded to the south by the upper section of the valley of the River Usk, to the north by that of the Afon Irfon and to the east by the valley of the River Wye. Its western boundary is less distinct but lies...
, to Tirabad
Tirabad
Tirabad is a village in Powys, Wales. The village is located on the edge of the Crychan Forest and is south of Llanwrtyd Wells and north of Llandovery...
and Llangammarch Wells
Llangammarch Wells
Llangammarch Wells is a village in the parish of Llangammarch in Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying on the River Irfon....
, then on to Builth Wells
Builth Wells
Builth Wells is a town in the county of Powys, within the historic boundaries of Brecknockshire, mid Wales, lying at the confluence of the River Wye and the River Irfon, in the Welsh of the Wye Valley. It has a population of 2,352....
where it joins Route 8
National Cycle Route 8
The route passes through the heart of Wales, and is also known by its Welsh name Lôn Las Cymru . It is largely north-south from Holyhead to Cardiff and Chepstow, and in total measures some in length...
(Lon Las Cymru).