Cost of living advice
Specialist help, support and advice to help with the cost of living and other matters is available at each of our customer service Hwbs in Ammanford, Llanelli and Carmarthen. Hwb advisers will be available every day, along with housing officers and employability advisers, to provide tailored packages of support to residents. Visitors to the Hwbs can also access information on the services available to support them as the cost of living increases. For further help, support and information visit our Cost of Living Advice page.
Enjoy some epic cycling in Carmarthenshire
World-class facilities, stunning road cycling routes, the best mountain biking and big-name events
When it comes to cycling, Carmarthenshire has it all. Whether you are a resident of Carmarthenshire or just visiting; a hardcore cyclist or commuting to work; trying to get fit or out for a leisurely spin, there is something for everyone.
Unbelievable coastal scenery with broad river valleys, hills and lakes, discovering your favourite cycling route has never been easier. Whether you are looking for a gentle bike ride or want to really push yourself, there is a cycle trail for you in Carmarthenshire.
Family-friendly trails
The Celtic Trail West has something for everyone. ‘The Challenge’ is not for the faint hearted with its 143-mile circular route, but it more than makes up for the work with the beautiful scenery on the way. If you’re after a challenging inland route try Route 47, make sure you plan enough time to stop off at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. If you’re looking for a ride with stunning coastal views or a family-fun activity with lots of lovely places to stop, then you will find it all here at Route 4. It is a perfect route if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle with some fantastic traffic-free sections for all the family.
For a different type of cycling adventure try the Legendary cycle trail. Ghostly maids and monks, a famous pilot and the world’s most famous wizard all feature on a riveting ride around Carmarthenshire.
When it comes to cycling, Carmarthenshire has it all. Whether you are a resident of Carmarthenshire or just visiting; a hardcore cyclist or commuting to work; trying to get fit or out for a leisurely spin, there is something for everyone.
Unbelievable coastal scenery with broad river valleys, hills and lakes, discovering your favourite cycling route has never been easier. Whether you are looking for a gentle bike ride or want to really push yourself, there is a cycle trail for you in Carmarthenshire.
Family-friendly trails
The Celtic Trail West has something for everyone. ‘The Challenge’ is not for the faint hearted with its 143-mile circular route, but it more than makes up for the work with the beautiful scenery on the way. If you’re after a challenging inland route try Route 47, make sure you plan enough time to stop off at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales. If you’re looking for a ride with stunning coastal views or a family-fun activity with lots of lovely places to stop, then you will find it all here at Route 4. It is a perfect route if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle with some fantastic traffic-free sections for all the family.
For a different type of cycling adventure try the Legendary cycle trail. Ghostly maids and monks, a famous pilot and the world’s most famous wizard all feature on a riveting ride around Carmarthenshire.
Mountain biking
Carmarthenshire is one of the most exciting places for the fast-growing sport of mountain biking. Its natural terrain and man-made trails in the Brechfa , Cwm Rhaeadr and Crychan forests, put the county firmly on the map as a premier off-road biking destination.
Allt Nant-y-Ci near the village of Saron, just west of Ammanford; Llyn Llech Owain in Gorslas, near Cross Hands, and Pembrey Country Park also offer a variety of off-road biking trails with plenty of wildlife and lots of other attractions for an adventurous day out. Visit the Discover Carmarthenshire website to find out more.
Road cycling
With its stunning coastline and beautiful countryside, not to mention some fantastic climbs to get your heart racing, Carmarthenshire is becoming a firm favourite for road cycling. Our road cycling routes, with distances ranging from 10 miles to 65 miles, cover coastal paths, countryside lanes and bustling market towns.
The Tywi Valley tour of the castles takes in one of the most spectacular river valleys in Wales, with castles dotted throughout its length, as well as the more secluded, but equally special Cothi Valley, with its idyllic villages and roads but watch out as there is a sting in its tail!
In the Big Wilderness Adventure, Llyn Brianne and the roads that lead to and from it are some of the most spectacular and rewarding roads you can anyway anywhere in the world, let alone Carmarthenshire and Wales. The route takes riders into the wilderness where cars and people are a rare sight.
And if you want to truly challenge yourself and love tackling big climbs with the reward of fantastic views then the Big Hills & Big Views route will not disappoint. An epic route that will take riders from the industrial heart of Carmarthenshire into quieter landscapes and back over the Black Mountain within the Brecon Beacons with a few killer climbs to finish. A big day out for even the fittest of riders!
Check out the Discover Carmarthenshire website to download these routes and more and to plan your perfect cycling break.
Mountain biking
Carmarthenshire is one of the most exciting places for the fast-growing sport of mountain biking. Its natural terrain and man-made trails in the Brechfa , Cwm Rhaeadr and Crychan forests, put the county firmly on the map as a premier off-road biking destination.
Allt Nant-y-Ci near the village of Saron, just west of Ammanford; Llyn Llech Owain in Gorslas, near Cross Hands, and Pembrey Country Park also offer a variety of off-road biking trails with plenty of wildlife and lots of other attractions for an adventurous day out. Visit the Discover Carmarthenshire website to find out more.
Road cycling
With its stunning coastline and beautiful countryside, not to mention some fantastic climbs to get your heart racing, Carmarthenshire is becoming a firm favourite for road cycling. Our road cycling routes, with distances ranging from 10 miles to 65 miles, cover coastal paths, countryside lanes and bustling market towns.
The Tywi Valley tour of the castles takes in one of the most spectacular river valleys in Wales, with castles dotted throughout its length, as well as the more secluded, but equally special Cothi Valley, with its idyllic villages and roads but watch out as there is a sting in its tail!
In the Big Wilderness Adventure, Llyn Brianne and the roads that lead to and from it are some of the most spectacular and rewarding roads you can anyway anywhere in the world, let alone Carmarthenshire and Wales. The route takes riders into the wilderness where cars and people are a rare sight.
And if you want to truly challenge yourself and love tackling big climbs with the reward of fantastic views then the Big Hills & Big Views route will not disappoint. An epic route that will take riders from the industrial heart of Carmarthenshire into quieter landscapes and back over the Black Mountain within the Brecon Beacons with a few killer climbs to finish. A big day out for even the fittest of riders!
Check out the Discover Carmarthenshire website to download these routes and more and to plan your perfect cycling break.
Circuits and tracks
Here in Carmarthenshire, we are lucky to have some of the best facilities in Wales including the closed road cycling circuit at Pembrey Country Park, a purpose-built off-road track of British Cycling standard for coaching and training sessions, competitive cycling competitions and other activities. You will also find the pump track at Pembrey, with its circuit of rollers, banked turns and other features designed to be ridden completely by riders ‘pumping’ (generating momentum by up and down body movements) instead of pedalling or pushing. Bike hire is also available including adaptive bikes for an all-inclusive cycling experience and beach wheelchairs – the perfect way to explore the 500acre park.
Carmarthen Park is home to one of the oldest velodromes in Wales, built in 1900, it has been refurbished for use by cycling clubs and the local community, and is a regional centre of excellence for national and international competitions.
Also in Carmarthen, the mountain bike skills area and pump track at the UWTSD Centre for Outdoor Adventure Education at Cynefin meet the needs of riders of all ages and abilities providing a venue for education and training. It is a facility that no other university in the UK can offer.
Top events
Carmarthenshire will welcome the Women’s Tour of Britain for the second time on Friday, June 10. Stage Five will see the world’s top female riders battle it out in a day of racing that begins in Pembrey Country Park and finishes at the top of the Black Mountain on the western side of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Carmarthenshire is fast becoming the premier cycling destination having hosted the 2018 men’s Tour of Britain’s Grand Départ as well as the overall finish of the Women’s Tour in 2019 and the Tour of Britain team trial in 2021. Attracting elite cyclists from all over the world, the county is host to various cycling events, including triathlons and the unique, fast and fun ‘Battle on the Beach’.
Circuits and tracks
Here in Carmarthenshire, we are lucky to have some of the best facilities in Wales including the closed road cycling circuit at Pembrey Country Park, a purpose-built off-road track of British Cycling standard for coaching and training sessions, competitive cycling competitions and other activities. You will also find the pump track at Pembrey, with its circuit of rollers, banked turns and other features designed to be ridden completely by riders ‘pumping’ (generating momentum by up and down body movements) instead of pedalling or pushing. Bike hire is also available including adaptive bikes for an all-inclusive cycling experience and beach wheelchairs – the perfect way to explore the 500acre park.
Carmarthen Park is home to one of the oldest velodromes in Wales, built in 1900, it has been refurbished for use by cycling clubs and the local community, and is a regional centre of excellence for national and international competitions.
Also in Carmarthen, the mountain bike skills area and pump track at the UWTSD Centre for Outdoor Adventure Education at Cynefin meet the needs of riders of all ages and abilities providing a venue for education and training. It is a facility that no other university in the UK can offer.
Top events
Carmarthenshire will welcome the Women’s Tour of Britain for the second time on Friday, June 10. Stage Five will see the world’s top female riders battle it out in a day of racing that begins in Pembrey Country Park and finishes at the top of the Black Mountain on the western side of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Carmarthenshire is fast becoming the premier cycling destination having hosted the 2018 men’s Tour of Britain’s Grand Départ as well as the overall finish of the Women’s Tour in 2019 and the Tour of Britain team trial in 2021. Attracting elite cyclists from all over the world, the county is host to various cycling events, including triathlons and the unique, fast and fun ‘Battle on the Beach’.
Active travel network
Carmarthenshire’s active travel network connects residential areas with shopping, employment, healthcare and leisure facilities encouraging people to cycle instead of using the car for a healthy, sustainable and environmentally-friendly mode of transport. Further improvements are planned, to find out more on the council’s 15-year vision and for route maps visit our active travel pages of our website.
Bike hire and E-bikes
As part of the council’s commitment to promote active travel, bike hire stations have been installed at Carmarthen Bus Station, Burry Port interchange, and Llanelli Railway Station. People are able to reserve a bike online or by text and collect it from a dock from as little as £3.50 a day. The bikes, which are managed by Brompton Bike Hire, are foldable and can be taken on public transport.
Bike hire for community use will soon be available at leisure centres throughout the county, along with bike parking bays and electric bike charging points.
E-cargo bikes are being rolled out initially in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford town centres to support local businesses to use to carry out small deliveries, and electric disability taxi bikes are being made available for schools, day centres and care homes use.
Active communities
Our Actif team are promoting and encouraging cycling to get fit and healthy and for fun! Our leisure centres are kitted out with state-of-the-art spin studios for a high-energy workout, and with virtual sessions as well as live stream and on-demand classes, you can train at a time convenient to you!
The team works closely with county schools offering spin classes and cycling sessions, and proving that you are never too young to ride a bike, balance and toddle bikes are also available for pre-school age children, whether that’s in the leisure centres or out in the community.
For more information visit the Actif website.
Active travel network
Carmarthenshire’s active travel network connects residential areas with shopping, employment, healthcare and leisure facilities encouraging people to cycle instead of using the car for a healthy, sustainable and environmentally-friendly mode of transport. Further improvements are planned, to find out more on the council’s 15-year vision and for route maps visit our active travel pages of our website.
Bike hire and E-bikes
As part of the council’s commitment to promote active travel, bike hire stations have been installed at Carmarthen Bus Station, Burry Port interchange, and Llanelli Railway Station. People are able to reserve a bike online or by text and collect it from a dock from as little as £3.50 a day. The bikes, which are managed by Brompton Bike Hire, are foldable and can be taken on public transport.
Bike hire for community use will soon be available at leisure centres throughout the county, along with bike parking bays and electric bike charging points.
E-cargo bikes are being rolled out initially in Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford town centres to support local businesses to use to carry out small deliveries, and electric disability taxi bikes are being made available for schools, day centres and care homes use.
Active communities
Our Actif team are promoting and encouraging cycling to get fit and healthy and for fun! Our leisure centres are kitted out with state-of-the-art spin studios for a high-energy workout, and with virtual sessions as well as live stream and on-demand classes, you can train at a time convenient to you!
The team works closely with county schools offering spin classes and cycling sessions, and proving that you are never too young to ride a bike, balance and toddle bikes are also available for pre-school age children, whether that’s in the leisure centres or out in the community.
For more information visit the Actif website.
