This is Castle to Castle: The Dragon’s Spine — Team Admiral Impact’s epic Million Makers 2026 challenge for The King’s Trust, celebrating 50 years of changing young lives.

From Caernarfon Castle to Cardiff Castle, riders will take on mountains, valleys, castles and miles of Welsh road — all with one shared purpose: to raise funds, rally support and help young people build brighter futures. Choose your challenge, join the team, and be part of something unforgettable.

We ask that anyone registering commits to raising funds for the charity using our official fundraising page, details of which will be provided after registration. We are encouraging everyone to aim for a fundraising target of £500, which, if achieved, will make a significant difference to the young people supported by The King's Trust.

Participants who raise £250 will receive an exclusive Castle to Castle event t-shirt, while those who raise £500 will unlock a special participant reward, to be announced. Every pound raised helps support young people to build the confidence, skills and opportunities they need to succeed.

To help us plan event merchandise, we are asking all participants to provide their preferred size when registering. Please choose your size carefully using the size guide, as we may not be able to amend orders once they have been placed.

Participants may also have the opportunity to purchase additional cycling kit, including jerseys, gilets and t-shirts, subject to availability.

If the event, or part of the event, is cancelled due to weather, safety or operational reasons refunds will not be available. Any funds not already committed to event costs will be donated to The King's Trust.

Important notice

For safety and logistics, participant numbers are limited on Eryri Epic, Borderland Brave, Bannau Breakthrough and Taff Trailblazer. Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Dragon's Tail has no participant limit and all registrations will be accepted. Please make sure you have the fitness, confidence and bike handling skills needed for the stage you choose before registering. We expect strong interest, so we will operate a waiting list once places are full. Entry fees are non-refundable. If you can no longer attend, we will reallocate your place to someone on the waiting list.

You will not be charged to go on the waiting list, however if a place becomes available the first person on the waiting list to accept and complete registration will be offered the place.

We encourage colleagues on the waiting list to get involved by helping to raise funds and support the challenge while they wait for a place to become available.

Inclusions, Accommodation & Logistics

Included for all participants

• Event safety and welfare arrangements
• Route information and GPX files
• Fundraising support and guidance
• Training and preparation information
• Regular event updates and communications
• Dedicated event support team

Included for multi-day participants (where applicable)

• Accommodation¹
• Catering and refreshments² 
• Luggage transport
• Transport to designated start locations³

• Transport from Cardiff to designated start locations
• Bike transportation from Ty Admiral (time will be provided)
• Transport will be provided from Cardiff to; (timing subject to change)
  • Caernarfon leaving at 5pm on 5^th Oct,
  • Montgomery leaving at 7.30am on 7^th Oct
  • Hay-on-Wye at midday 7^th Oct
  • Merthyr Tydfil at 11am 8^th Oct
  • Castell Coch – recommending using public or private transport
• For the Dragon’s Tail stage, we ask participants to make their own arrangements. (Subject to demand, transport may be arranged at an additional cost.)

NOTES:

1. For the start on Day 3 at Hay-on-Wye we ask that you take advantage of the transport and overnight stay built into your entry fee so that you are able to join an early start at 8am. If you are joining on the day you will need to be ready for a ride briefing at 7:45am ready to ride at 8:00am – we will not be able to accommodate anyone arriving late.
2. Catering and refreshment arrangements will vary depending on the stage and package selected. Further details of meals, refreshments and logistical arrangements will be shared with participants ahead of the event.

3. Details on logistics for travel for you and your bike will be made available.

Bike Hire

Bike Hire will be available at preferential rates through our partners UK Wide bike hire | Hybrid, mountain, electric, road bike to hire quoting Team Admiral Impact – this may be arranged directly with them and all logistics will be dealt with through them.

Participant Terms & Conditions

All participants must agree to the following Terms & Conditions at registration:

• Participants must be fit enough to undertake their chosen stage.

• Cycling proficiency appropriate to the chosen stage is required.
• Participants must be confident riding in a group.
• Bikes must be safe and roadworthy.
• We strongly recommend a bike service before the event.
• Unsafe bikes will not be permitted.
• Participants must wear appropriate safety equipment (including helmets).
• Participants must follow ride leader instructions at all times.
• Participants must provide emergency contact details.
• Participants should disclose relevant medical conditions, allergies and dietary requirements.
• Participants are responsible for ensuring personal equipment is adequately insured.
• Clarification that organisers cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage to personal equipment.
• On cancellation, registration entry fees are non-refundable and not transferable
• Participants are responsible for ensuring they have suitable clothing and equipment for anticipated weather conditions.
• Route changes may occur if required for safety or operational reasons.
• Organisers reserve the right to amend, shorten, postpone or cancel routes where weather, safety or operational circumstances require this.

Route information:

Use this quick guide to choose where you want to join the Castle to Castle ride and which entry option best suits you. Each option finishes at Cardiff Castle, so everyone shares the same finish line.

*(includes overnight stay for an early start)

Eryri Epic

Caernarfon Castle to Montgomery via Llanfyllin
70 miles / 5,500ft (112km / 1,676m)

From medieval strongholds to the mountains of Eryri

The challenge begins beneath the imposing walls of Caernarfon Castle, heading straight into the breathtaking landscapes of Eryri. Riders will tackle the iconic Llanberis Pass, take in the dramatic scenery around Ogwen and Betws-y-Coed, and cross some of Wales' most spectacular terrain on an unforgettable first day.

This is the toughest stage of the entire challenge: big climbs, big views and over 70 miles of riding. The reward is a genuine end-to-end Welsh adventure through mountains, valleys and historic landscapes.

After an overnight stay at Llanfyllin Bunkhouse, housed within the historic Workhouse and maintained by an incredible volunteer community, riders will continue through rolling Mid Wales countryside towards Montgomery Castle. Surrounded by sweeping views across the Welsh borders, this ancient stronghold marks both the end of Stage 1 and the point where the next group of riders joins the adventure.

Borderland Brave

Montgomery Castle to Hay-on-Wye Castle
50 miles / 2,575ft (80km / 785m)

A border country adventure

Starting at Montgomery Castle, riders join the growing peloton for a journey through the beautiful Welsh Marches. Quiet country lanes, rolling hills, river valleys and picturesque villages create a ride that is every bit as rewarding as it is challenging.

After a series of testing climbs, the route settles into some of the most scenic countryside on the entire challenge, with plenty of opportunities to take in the views and enjoy the team atmosphere.

The stage finishes at Hay-on-Wye, the famous Town of Books, where Hay Castle welcomes riders and the next wave of participants joins ahead of the final push towards South Wales.

Bannau Breakthrough

Hay-on-Wye Castle to Merthyr Tydfil
35 miles / 2,500ft (56km / 762m)

Into the heart of Bannau Brycheiniog

This stage journeys through the stunning landscapes of Bannau Brycheiniog, with mountain views, open moorland, reservoirs and winding roads providing a spectacular backdrop throughout.

While shorter in distance, this ride still offers a meaningful challenge, with steady climbing and ever-changing scenery. As the route transitions from rural Wales into the South Wales Valleys, teamwork and determination become even more important.

The day finishes at Cyfarthfa Castle in Merthyr Tydfil, where the next group of riders joins the challenge for the final stages into Cardiff.

Taff Trailblazer

Merthyr Tydfil to Castell Coch
22 miles / 650ft (35km / 198m)

Following the historic Taff Trail

Joining at Merthyr Tydfil, riders follow the famous Taff Trail south through the heart of South Wales.

This stage has a different feel to the mountain and countryside routes, with riverside paths, woodland sections and valley scenery replacing long climbs. While largely downhill, there are some more technical sections where care and good bike handling are essential.

The route concludes beneath the fairy-tale towers of Castell Coch, where the final group of riders joins the challenge before the last stage into Cardiff.

Dragon's Tail

Castell Coch to Cardiff Castle
7 miles / 75ft (11km / 23m)

The final triumphant ride into the capital

The Dragon's Tail is the short, celebratory final ride from Castell Coch to Cardiff Castle, following the Taff Trail into the Welsh capital.

This is where everyone comes together. Some riders will have travelled all the way from Caernarfon, while others will be joining for their very first charity ride. Whatever the distance, every participant shares the same finish line, the same team spirit and the same purpose: supporting The King's Trust.

Whether you've ridden 7 miles or crossed Wales from north to south, every mile has helped create brighter futures for young people.

Castle to Castle proves it's not about how far you ride, it's about being part of something bigger.