EuroVelo 1 (Wales section)
This section of the EuroVelo 1 runs from Harbour Village to Mathern over 5 stages: 372 km and 2,715 m of climbing in the UK. Every stage has a map, elevation profile, road facts and a GPX file.
Route at a glance
- Distance
- 372 km
- Climbing
- 2,715 m
- Stages
- 5
- Countries
- 1
- Average stage
- 74 km
- Longest stage
- 85 km
- Most climbing
- 869 m
- Riding time
- ~27 h
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Bike
- Road bike
- Best months
- May to Oct
- GPX
- Every stage + whole tour
- Start
- Harbour Village
- Finish
- Mathern
Full route map
Itinerary: 5 stages
Average 74 km and 543 m a stage. Longest day: stage 4 (85 km). Most climbing: stage 2 (869 m). Shortest: stage 3 (63.9 km).
| Stage | Route | Country | Distance | Climbing | Surface | Difficulty | Time | GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harbour Village to Pembroke Dock | UK | 81.8 km | 795 m | Paved | Hard | 5 h 51 min | GPX |
| 2 | Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen | UK | 76.7 km | 869 m | Paved | Hard | 5 h 29 min | GPX |
| 3 | Carmarthen to Swansea | UK | 63.9 km | 272 m | Mostly paved | Moderate | 4 h 34 min | GPX |
| 4 | Swansea to Caerphilly | UK | 85 km | 520 m | Mixed surface | Moderate | 6 h 04 min | GPX |
| 5 | Caerphilly to Mathern | UK | 64.9 km | 259 m | Mostly paved | Moderate | 4 h 38 min | GPX |
How difficult is this tour?
372 km and 2,715 m of climbing over 5 stages: 74 km and 543 m a stage on average.
The longest day is stage 4, Swansea to Caerphilly (85 km); the most climbing is on stage 2, Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen (869 m); the shortest is stage 3, Carmarthen to Swansea (63.9 km).
At 74 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 60–100 km.
Riders can go faster or slower than the documented itinerary: the same 372 km is 7 riding days at 60 km a day, 5 riding days at 80 km a day and 4 riding days at 100 km a day.
Surface and traffic
Predominantly paved: 92% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel and 2% has no surface data.
131 km (35%) is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane; 21 km (6%) is on main roads without one, and 22 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more.
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 16 km, on stage 2.
Signed routes this tour follows
- EuroVelo 1 (Wales section) - stages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Best time to ride
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Oct are good for riding along the whole route.
Logistics
- Fishguard Harbour (station) and Fishguard Ferry Terminal (ferry) are near the start in Harbour Village.
- 5 of 5 stage finishes have a hotel, guesthouse or campsite mapped within a short ride of the finish.
- The longest stretch without a café, shop or water on any stage is 16 km, on stage 2.
What it was actually like to ride
About this tour
EuroVelo 1 in Wales runs from Harbour Village to Mathern in five stages covering a total of 372 km and 2715 m of climbing. The route stays entirely within Great Britain.
The section begins with a long 81.8 km ride from Harbour Village to Pembroke Dock, featuring four climbs—the longest is 3.4 km with a 101 m gain. The terrain involves moderate elevations, with the highest point at 122 m. There are 32 water or food stops along this stage.
Stage two from Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen covers 76.7 km with 869 m climbing. This is the hilliest day, including several climbs up to 2.8 km long and up to 128 m gained, with a peak height of 177 m. Riders will pass many places, and there are 38 stops for water or food.
The third stage from Carmarthen to Swansea is shorter at 63.9 km and less hilly with 272 m climbs. There is one climb of 3.4 km gaining 108 m. The highest point reaches 128 m, with 38 water or food stops.
From Swansea to Caerphilly, stage four extends 85 km with 520 m of climbing, including three climbs, the longest 3.3 km gaining 86 m and highest elevation at 211 m. Water or food stops remain plentiful at 38.
The final stage from Caerphilly to Mathern is 64.9 km with 259 m climbing and two climbs under 2.5 km, the highest elevation 98 m. There are 39 water or food stops. No temperature or best month data is given.
Photos from the road
Stage 1 · Harbour Village to Pembroke Dock 
Stage 2 · Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen 
Stage 3 · Carmarthen to Swansea 
Stage 4 · Swansea to Caerphilly 
Stage 5 · Caerphilly to Mathern
Questions riders ask
How far is Harbour Village to Mathern by bike?
372 km along this route, in 5 stages averaging 74 km.
How long does it take to cycle from Harbour Village to Mathern?
Moving time is estimated at about 27 hours. At 60 km a day it is 7 days, 80 km a day it is 5 days and 100 km a day it is 4 days.
How much climbing is involved?
2,715 m in total. The most climbing in a day is 869 m on stage 2, Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen.
How difficult is the route?
At 74 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 60–100 km. The longest day is 85 km.
Is it suitable for a road bike?
92% of the route is mapped as paved and 5% as gravel or unpaved (2% has no surface data). Based on that: road bike.
Is there a GPX file?
Yes. Every stage has its own GPX download, and the whole tour is available as one GPX file with a track per stage.
Does the route follow EuroVelo?
In part: EuroVelo 1 (Wales section) on stages 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
What is the best time of year?
From ten years of weather at the stage towns, May to Oct are good for riding along the whole route.