GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

National Cycle Route 81

155 miles (250 km)

This is the complete route for Sustrans National Cycle Route 81. The Sustrans route runs from the English Midlands in Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth on the Welsh coast.
On the way you'll pass Shrewsbury, Telford, Llanidloes, Rhayader, Newtown and Welshpool. Highlights on the route include the wonderful Cambrian Mountains and the beautiful Elan Valley Reservoirs in Wales. There's also traffic free sections along the Montgomery Canal and the Ystwyth Trail towards the end of the route.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for the complete route gpx file and some videos of the route.

Cycle Routes on National Cycle Route 81

National Cycle Route 81 OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

National Cycle Route 81 Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Photos

Birmingham Canal. - geograph.org.uk - 107930

Birmingham Canal. Picture from Spon Lane bride looking west. The canal is Thomas Telford's "new" Main Line of the Birmingham Canal. It was authorised in 1825 to relieve congestion on James Brindley's contour canal built in the 1770s mainly for coal transportation.The railway dates from the 1860s.

Foot-cycle bridge over Afon Diliw - geograph.org.uk - 1103626

Foot-cycle bridge over Afon Diliw. Now forms part of national cycle route 81 which connects Aberystwyth to Sandwell.

Wolverhampton Locks No 6 - geograph.org.uk - 700381

Wolverhampton Locks No 6. The incinerator is on the left, and Locks 7 and 8 are further down before Jordans Bridge. The upgrading of the towpath is notable; it is now a designated traffic free cycle route (81).

Caban Coch, Elan Valley

Caban Coch, Elan Valley

Lane junction on NCR 81 - geograph.org.uk - 1036632

Lane junction on NCR 81. The spires in the middle distance are the churches of central Shrewsbury.

Winding Lane (NCR 81) - geograph.org.uk - 967272

Winding Lane near Caerws. (NCR 81)

Afon Ystwyth - geograph.org.uk - 285933

Afon Ystwyth viewed from the Ystwyth Trail cycle route.

Aberystwyth Promenade - geograph.org.uk - 520940

Aberystwyth Promenade. The trail finishes at this attractive coastal town in Wales.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

National Cycle Route 81.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')