Cycling is environmentally friendly, gets you out and gets you fit!
It's also a great way of getting the family together, away from the bustle of town or city life.

The justly famous landscapes of South West Wales have great contrasts, from rugged hills to tranquil, wild coastline. There's rivers and streams and lush forested mountains. You can explore a forest trail, ride along a cycle path, visit a nature reserve or amble along the region's beautiful coastlines. Many cycle tracks are also home to part of cycling tours that take place all round the year.

You can cycle among the beautiful forest trails of the Pembrokeshire National Park with your family, enjoying the inland scenery as well as the shorelines. It's Britain's only coastal National Park with spectacular sandy beaches, rugged sea cliffs and isolated coves in places like Whitesands, Broad Haven and Tenby. The countryside around the tidal rivers of Milford Haven offer great cycling opportunities.

With a family in tow you could opt for the winding lanes through the forests of Brechfa or the Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire. At Pembrey you can enjoy some 202 hectares of parkland and take a dip in one of Wales' cleanest beaches.

At the Llanelli Millennium Coastal Park a 1,000-metre seafront promenade cycle-way extends the length of the Park. You can spend some time at the National Wetlands Centre Wales in Penclacwydd, view the award-winning heron-shaped Gateway Hide, check out the Wetland Discovery Centre, or take a look at the Water Vole City with tunnels and slides and a life-size Otter Holt.

There are lots of cycleways that skirt the southern part of Cardigan Bay, providing an ideal way to explore this part of Ceredigionshire by bike. From Cardigan you can travel on to to Aberporth, taking a break at the scenic Cardigan Farm island located just 200 yards offshore. This is home in season to Atlantic grey seals, bottle-nosed Dolphins and a variety of friendly farm animals. Back on the mainland the cycle path extends until you reach Llangrannog.

If you're keen to carry on you can end the trail at the Pigeonsford Walled Garden, enjoying the waterfall and the unspoiled panoramic views across the sea to the mountains of the Llyn Peninsula.

The cycle path over the Gower Peninsula offers beautiful views of the coastline and estuaries, and runs along a series of lakes being developed as part of the 'Centre of Angling Experience'. You'll come to the Burry Port Harbour, a striking location complete with it's own lighthouse, ideal for a quiet stroll. Following the cycle path is the 'Pembrey Link', from where you can see long sandy beaches and the Saltings nature reserve, which is where the Millennium Coastal Park meets Pembrey Country Park.

The Neath and Port Talbot region offers plenty to see and do. You could take a trek through the forest of Afan Argoed and the Celtic trail that has cycle-friendly routes, which forms part of the National Cycle Network. The trail has a gentle slope along the railway and forest link road that once carried passengers and coal. The trail passes through Pontrhydyfen and Blaengwynfi, offering picturesque beaches and picnic spots to stop by.

Also, for those interested in cycling events, there are often events throughout the year where you can get out and meet fellow enthusiasts.

One of the best ways of seeing the country along a planned route is by following the Celtic Trail, which will take you through some of the most diverse habitats in Wales along its 220 miles. Reaching from Chepstow to the Pembrokeshire coast, it crosses South West Wales, covering the Swansea Cycle Path and Clyne Valley Cycleway in the east. From the east moving westwards you can traverse the Gower to the coast at the National Wetlands Centre Wales, travelling along the Swiss Valley Cycle Route, on to the Milennium Coastal Park and through Pembrokeshire on the Brunel Cycle Route.

And finally - Cycle safely, follow the Highway Code, go equipped, wear the right protective gear and last but definitely not least - have fun!

CTC Cymru

Sustrans National Cycle Network

Wales Tourist Board

Cycle Paths in South Wales

Swansea Cyclist Touring Club

Pembrokeshire Greenways Cycling

Ceredigion Cycling

Cycling in Carmarthenshire

Mountain Biking in Wales