National Cycle Route 5
This epic Sustrans National Cycle Route runs for just over 360 miles from Reading to North Wales.
The route begins in Berkshire at Reading before heading through the Chiltern Hills to Wallingford, Didcot, Abingdon and the famous university city of Oxford.
You'll then head through the Midlands to Long Marston, Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon and the city of Birmingham.
The next stage runs through Stafford before some canalside cycling through Stoke-on-Trent. Into Cheshire next to the historic city of Chester with its numerous ancient buildings and city walls.
Leaving England you head west into Wales, passing Bagillt, Flint and Prestatyn with some excellent coastal views particularly on the traffic free sections from Abergele to Llanfairfechan.
You continue through Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno before coming to the popular resort of Bangor. The final section then runs across the Isle of Anglesey to Holyhead.
See the list below for the route split into manageable day rides.
Scroll down further for videos on the route and scroll to the bottom for the gpx file.
Cycle Routes on National Cycle Route 5
- Reading to Oxford - Travel along the trail from Reading in Berkshire and on through Oxfordshire to the famous university town
- Abingdon to Oxford - This easy ride follows the trail from Abingdon to Oxford
- Hanson Way - Follow the Hanson Way (part of National Cycle route 5) from Oxford to Didcot via Abingdon.
- Oxford to Banbury - Travel through pretty Oxfordshire along NCN route 5 from Oxford to Banbury
- Banbury to Stratford-Upon-Avon - Follow the trail from Oxfordshire to Warwickshire on this lovely rural route
- Stratford-Upon-Avon to Redditch - This lovely route follows the trail from Stratford-Upon-Avon to Redditch.
- Redditch to Birmingham - This route follows the trail from Redditch in Worcestershire to the metropolis that is Birmingham
- Redditch to Kidderminster - This route follows the trail from Redditch to Kidderminster
- Birmingham to Wolverhampton - This route follows National Cycle routes 5 and 81 through the West Midlands in to Staffordshire
- Stoke-On-Trent to Stafford - Head through Staffordshire along the trail on this fine cycle ride.
- Stoke-On-Trent to Northwich - This route starts at the train station in Stoke-On-Trent and follows the trail to Northwich
- Northwich to Knutsford - This route follows quiet country lanes and the Cheshire Cycleway from Northwich to Knutsford.
The route includes a pleasant spell through Marbury Country Park with views of the Trent and Mersey Canal (below) - Runcorn to Northwich - Follow the trail on this short pleasant route through Cheshire
- Chester to Runcorn - This ride follows the trail through Cheshire which passes the impressive Chester Zoo
- Chester to Llandudno - This super cycle ride takes you from England into Wales along the trail
- Bangor to Holyhead - Follow National Cycle routes 5 and 8 through the Isle of Anglesey.
You start in Bangor by crossing the Menai Bridge into Anglesey with splendid views of the Menai Strait
National Cycle Route 5 Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
National Cycle Route 5 Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
National Cycle Route 5 OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
National Cycle Route 5 Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The epic Chilterns Cycleway can be picked up near the route. The signed circular trail runs for about 170 miles through the Chilterns AONB on quiet country lanes, visiting a series of delightful villages.
The noteworthy Lon Las Ogwen cycle route starts just to the east of Bangor at Porth Penrhyn. The off road trail will take you south through Snowdonia to the beautiful Llyn Ogwen, passing the fascinating Penrhyn Quarry at Bethesda and the stunning glacial valley of Nant Ffrancon on the way. It runs mostly along old railway paths and the River Ogwen before finishing at the lake and waterfall. The route uses part of Route 5 and is also suitable for walkers.
Around Stafford and Stoke on Trent the route fills a gap along National Cycle Route 55 which runs between Shropshire's Ironbridge and Preston in Lancashire.
In the Chester area you can link up with the Cheshire Cycleway. The popular circular ride explores the best parts of the county on a series of quiet country lanes and off road paths. In this area there's also the Chester Millennium Greenway and National Cycle Route 45 or the 'Mercian Way'. The route runs from Chester to Salisbury through Shropshire and Worcestershire.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
NCN Millennium Milepost MP141 Reading
Wyrley and Essington Canal - Disused Railway Bridge in the West Midlands. The Beacon Way and National Cycle Route 5 leave the towpath and cross the canal.
National Cycle Route 5 through Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham
Lane to Crowmarsh Gifford
Route 5 National cycle route 5 passes along a shelf retro-fitted into the coastal engineering between Old Colwyn promenade and Llanddulas. It provides a very useful low-level, traffic-free path along this otherwise steep and heavily-trafficked coastal section. The route also includes the North Wales LDP.
Sustrans National Cycle Route 5 going towards Penmaenmawr
Hawarden Bridge walkway in Flintshire, Wales. This walkway, on the east side of Hawarden Bridge railway bridge, has ramps at both ends and is part of the National Cycle Route 5. The tidal River Dee is below.
Promenade fishers in Old Colwyn, Clwyd, Wales. A view of the end of the promenade, where fishermen have gathered. The view is from the track of National Cycle Route 5, which continues on a footpath that runs to the site of the long-abandoned Old Colwyn railway station, where there is still a subway to cross under the railway line.