National Cycle Route 46
This signed Sustrans cycle route runs between Bromsgrove in Worcestershire to Neath in Wales.
On the way you will pass Droitwich, Worcester, Hereford, Abergavenny, Brynmawr and Merthyr Tydfil before a run along the Neath Canal takes you into Neath.
Other highlights include the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, views of the Brecon Beacons Mountains, the wonderful Cwm Clydach and a stretch along part of the Taff Trail in Wales.
N.B The section between Worcester and Hereford is under development at time of writing. The route below uses a direct A road to Great Malvern and then quieter country lanes to Hereford where you can pick up the signed 46 route again.
See the list below for day rides along part of the route. Scroll down further for the gpx file for the route.
Cycle Routes on National Cycle Route 46
- Worcester to Great Malvern - This short route takes you along National Cycle route 46 from Worcester to Great Malvern
- Abergavenny to Hereford - This route follows National Cycle route 46 from the Welsh town of Abergavenny to the splendid cathedral city of Hereford in England
- Neath Canal - This section of the Neath Canal makes for a lovely waterside cycle or walk
- Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal - Follow the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal from Brecon to Newport on this super waterside walking and cycling route
- Worcester to Droitwich Spa - This lovely short route follows National Cycle route 45 from Worcester to Droitwich Spa
- Worcester to Kidderminster - Follow National Cycle routes 45 and 46 on this lovely route through the Worcestershire countryside
- Newport to Abergavenny - Follow National Cycle routes 47, 49, 492 and 46 from Newport to Abergavenny.
You start on the river Usk in Newport and follow National Cycle routes 47 and 49 along the river and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal to Cwmbran and then onto Pontypool - Taff Trail - Follow the River Taff, from Cardiff to Brecon, on this fantastic waterside cycling and walking route.
You start on the River Taff in Cardiff and head along the river northwards passing the Millennium Stadium and Cardiff Castle
National Cycle Route 46 Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
National Cycle Route 46 Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
National Cycle Route 46 OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
National Cycle Route 46 Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The route links up with National Cycle Route 45 in the Worcester and Droitwich Spa area.
In Worcester the trail links with the Cotswold Line Cycle Route which runs through the AONB from Worcester to Long Hanborough, just outside Oxford. The trail visits several of the delightful towns and villages of the region with some glorious Cotswolds scenery to enjoy on the way.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Cycle route 46 signposts, Abergavenny
Skew railway bridge over Monmouth and Brecon canal. This railway bridge carried the Abergavenny to Merthyr Tydfil railway line and is now part on National cycle route 46
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Nantybwch railway station. Railway Cottages.
Nantybwch station used to be opposite these cottages. This was on the Merthyr, Tredegar and Abergavenny Railway; this section commonly referred to as the Heads of the Valleys Railway. The last passenger train ran on 5th January 1958. The station was also the end of the Sirhowy Valley line. The altitude here is 350 metres and in his book “Lost Railways of South Wales” Mike Hall says “Another bleak unforgiving place, its open-lattice footbridge with no added protection from the elements was not the place to linger on a cold day.” National Cycle Route 46 passes these cottages.
Canal tow path, Malpas
NCN46 east of Brynmawr. This cycle route (which when complete will connect Droitwich Spa to Newport and Neath) here follows the line of the former rail line which climbed steeply up the Clydach Gorge from Abergavenny to Brynmawr. It is a spectacular route through an industrially ravaged landscape which nevertheless sits within the Brecon Beacons National Park.
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Restored Clun Isaf Lock, Neath Canal. The lower of two locks, numbers 3 and 4, at Cyd Terrace, the row of houses in the background. The towpath, part of NCR 46, is on the left.
Kentchurch Bridge. Spans the River Monnow
Hereford Castle Pool