Road · United Kingdom
Cynon Trail
A rolling 14 km road cycling route from Abercynon, Rhondda Cynon Taf through Penrhiwceiber, Miskin and Fernhill, with 64 m of climbing. 58% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 14.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 64 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 02 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Abercynon
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 64 m
- 14 km
Route description
- Abercynon
- Penrhiwceiber
- Miskin
- Fernhill
- Cefnpennar
- Cwmbach
- Aberdare
- Abernant
- Gadlys
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.
Why ride this route?
- 58% on cycle paths or lanes.
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
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 58% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 57% cycle path · 20% quiet street · 10% minor road · 6% path · 7% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 8.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Cynon Trail (6 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 94% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 12% climbing · 1% descending · 87% flat
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 85 cafés and restaurants, 26 shops, 6 petrol stations, 2 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 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)
Stay after this ride
- Dare Valley Country Park Accommodation · hostel · 2.0 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Shops
- Premiere Express (170 m), General Store (840 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Bridgend Inn (930 m)
Know before you go
- 0.9 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 2.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
