Cynon Trail
- 14 km
- 64 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 64 m
- 14 km
Route overview
This short, mostly flat route suits cyclists looking for an easy 14 km ride with gentle climbing.
Cynon Trail is a 14.4 km point-to-point cycle route from Abercynon to Llwydcoed in Rhondda Cynon Taf, UK.
The Cynon Trail begins at Abercynon (0 km, 90 m elevation) and heads generally uphill with a total elevation gain of 64 m, ending near Llwydcoed at 155 m height. The route passes through multiple settlements including Penrhiwceiber (3 km), Mountain Ash (4.7 km), and Aberdare (11 km), before reaching Llwydcoed (14 km). The profile is mostly flat (87%) with gentle climbing (12%) and minimal descending (1%). Only short sections reach gradients over 5%. The surface is 94% paved with small portions of gravel or unpaved roads (5%) and 1% unmapped. The majority of the route (57%) is on cycle paths, with minor roads (10%), quiet streets (20%), a short path (6%) and a main road section (6%). The trail is named on 5.7 km as "Cynon Trail". There is 0.9 km on main roads and 8.3 km on cycle paths or lanes. Along the route there are cafés such as Mam's Kitchen near 2.8 km and Fergie's Caff at 8.6 km. There are supermarkets at 4.7 km (Iceland) and 12.5 km (Tesco), and toilets near 4.8 and 10.9 km. Two railway stations at Penrhiwceiber (2.8 km) and Aberdare (11.1 km) can be bailout points. Petrol stations and a bike shop are also accessible near some points. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 2.5 km between km 5.3 and 7.8.
Highlights
- Cycle path covers 57% of route
- Gentle climb from 90m to 155m elevation
- Places passed: Abercynon, Mountain Ash, Aberdare
- Longest stretch without café or shop is 2.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 57% cycle path · 20% quiet street · 10% minor road · 6% path
- Cycle paths
- 8.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Cynon Trail (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 12% climbing · 1% descending · 87% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 1.1 kmMurco · petrol station · 300 m off route
- 2.8 kmMam's Kitchen · café · 190 m off route
- 4.7 kmIceland · supermarket · 120 m off route
- 4.8 kmToilets · 110 m off route
- 4.9 kmAllied Pharmacy · pharmacy · 80 m off route
- 7.8 kmBP · petrol station · on the route
- 8.6 kmFergie's Caff · café · on the route
- 10.9 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 11 kmDare Valley Cycles · bike shop · 380 m off route
- 12.5 kmTesco · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 13.5 kmBridgend Inn · pub · 50 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 2.8 km — Penrhiwceiber (station), 60 m off route
- 11.1 km — Aberdare (station), 30 m off route
Worth a stop
- 12.7 km — Spirit of Industry (monument)
At the start
- Premiere Express · convenience store · 170 m
- General Store · convenience store · 840 m
At the finish
- Bridgend Inn · pub · 930 m
Stay after this ride
- Dare Valley Country Park Accommodation · hostel · 2.0 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 02 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 18–20 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 0.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 2.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water