This route starts at Penarth near Cardiff and broadly follows National Cycle Network Route 4 to Fishguard, then the Lon Teifi route to Aberystwyth and  Barmouth, and finally the National Cycle Network Route 8 to Holyhead.

With detours to take in the best butterfly and wildlife sites, it was a hilly 500 miles.

Target species were the rare High Brown Fritillary, Marsh Fritillary, Large Heath and the White-spotted Sable moth - among others.

This was my fourth Bike For Butterflies, raising money for the charity Butterfly Conservation. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, and to the help of many supporters, I have raised over £50,000 for Butterfly Conservation in this way. See other links on this website.

Just Giving site https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bikeforbutterflies2025

Google photos album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qCYXJofbRb7M1vJA6 

Read some of my reflections here 

• High Brown Fritillary (left) - Natur am Byth! in the Vale of Glamorgan. This butterfly has declined 96% in its distribution and only a single colony remains in Wales. It is now restricted to the Old Castle Down and Cwm Alun area in the Vale of Glamorgan, leaving it highly vulnerable to extinction.

• The Wales Marsh Fritillary Recovery Partnership - this butterfly has a stronghold in Wales, but to secure its long-term future strong partnerships need to be created. 

• Peat bog restoration for the Large Heath butterfly

Day 1 - Penarth to Bridgend

Day 2 - Bridgend to Swansea

Day 3 - Swansea to Kidwelly

Day 4 - Kidwelly to St Clears

Day 5 - St Clears to Haverfordwest

Day 6 - Haverfordwest to St Davids

Day 7 - St Davids to Fishguard

Day 8 - Fishguard to Cardigan

Day 9 - Cardigan to Lampeter

Day 10 - Lampeter to Aberystwyth

Day 11 - Aberystwyth to Tywyn

Day 12 - Tywyn to Porthmadog

Day 13 - Porthmadog to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch

Day 14 - Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch to Holyhead