National Cycle Network Route 4 (part)
This section of the National Cycle Network Route 4 runs from Mathern to Idole over 3 stages: 196 km and 1,096 m of climbing in the UK. Every stage has a map, elevation profile, road facts and a GPX file.
Route at a glance
- Distance
- 196 km
- Climbing
- 1,096 m
- Stages
- 3
- Countries
- 1
- Average stage
- 65 km
- Longest stage
- 75 km
- Most climbing
- 534 m
- Riding time
- ~14 h
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Best months
- May to Oct
- GPX
- Every stage + whole tour
- Start
- Mathern
- Finish
- Idole
Full route map
Itinerary: 3 stages
Average 65 km and 365 m a stage. Longest day: stage 2 (75 km). Most climbing: stage 2 (534 m). Shortest: stage 3 (57.3 km).
| Stage | Route | Country | Distance | Climbing | Surface | Difficulty | Time | GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mathern to Caerphilly | UK | 63.8 km | 317 m | Mostly paved | Moderate | 4 h 33 min | GPX |
| 2 | Caerphilly to Swansea | UK | 75 km | 534 m | Mixed surface | Moderate | 5 h 21 min | GPX |
| 3 | Swansea to Idole | UK | 57.3 km | 245 m | Mostly paved | Moderate | 4 h 06 min | GPX |
How difficult is this tour?
196 km and 1,096 m of climbing over 3 stages: 65 km and 365 m a stage on average.
The longest day is stage 2, Caerphilly to Swansea (75 km); the most climbing is on stage 2, Caerphilly to Swansea (534 m); the shortest is stage 3, Swansea to Idole (57.3 km).
At 65 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 50–90 km.
Riders can go faster or slower than the documented itinerary: the same 196 km is 4 riding days at 60 km a day, 3 riding days at 80 km a day and 2 riding days at 100 km a day.
Surface and traffic
Predominantly paved: 88% is mapped as paved, 10% as unpaved or gravel and 2% has no surface data.
92 km (47%) is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane; 8 km (4%) is on main roads without one, and 12 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more.
Signed routes this tour follows
- National Cycle Network Route 4 (part) - stages 1, 2, 3
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
- 3 of 3 stage finishes have a hotel, guesthouse or campsite mapped within a short ride of the finish.
What it was actually like to ride
About this tour
National Cycle Network Route 4 (part) covers 196 km across three stages, starting at Mathern and finishing at Idole in south Wales. The route progresses generally westward, passing through places such as Caerphilly and Swansea along the way.
The first stage from Mathern to Caerphilly is 63.8 km with 317 m of climbing. It features two climbs: an early 3 km climb gaining 74 m with an average gradient of 2.4%, and a later 2 km climb gaining 66 m at 3.4% average. This stage passes through many towns including Chepstow, Newport, and Caerphilly.
Stage two covering 75 km between Caerphilly and Swansea involves more climbing with 534 m elevation gain. It includes four climbs, notably a 3.2 km ascent gaining 180 m averaging 5.7% with a maximum of 10.8%, and another near 2 km climb gaining 99 m at 5.3% average. The highest point reached in the tour is 237 m here. The route passes through towns such as Pontypridd, Port Talbot and ends in Swansea.
The final stage, Swansea to Idole, is 57.3 km with 245 m climbing, featuring a single climb of 3.6 km with 122 m gain at 3.4% average. The route goes through Llanelli and Pembrey among other places, concluding at Ferryside near Idole. Water or food stops number 38 on the first two stages but fewer on the third with 27.
No temperature or seasonal data is provided. The climbing is moderate overall with the middle stage having the most sustained and steepest ascents. The route remains within Great Britain throughout.
Photos from the road
Stage 1 · Mathern to Caerphilly 
Stage 2 · Caerphilly to Swansea 
Stage 3 · Swansea to Idole
Questions riders ask
How far is Mathern to Idole by bike?
196 km along this route, in 3 stages averaging 65 km.
How long does it take to cycle from Mathern to Idole?
Moving time is estimated at about 14 hours. At 60 km a day it is 4 days, 80 km a day it is 3 days and 100 km a day it is 2 days.
How much climbing is involved?
1,096 m in total. The most climbing in a day is 534 m on stage 2, Caerphilly to Swansea.
How difficult is the route?
At 65 km a day on average, it suits riders used to back-to-back days of 50–90 km. The longest day is 75 km.
Is it suitable for a road bike?
88% of the route is mapped as paved and 10% as gravel or unpaved (2% has no surface data). Based on that: road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel 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.
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.