Road · United Kingdom
Stage 3 of 3 · EuroVelo 2 from Llanddwywe← Stage 2
Abergavenny to Mathern
A hilly 47 km road cycling route from Abergavenny, Monmouthshire to Mathern through Llanddewi Rhydderch, Coed Morgan and Bettws Newydd, with 552 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 46.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 552 m
- Riding time
- 3 h 21 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 15 km
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Abergavenny → Mathern
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 552 m
- 47 km
Route description
- Abergavenny
- Llanddewi Rhydderch
- Coed Morgan
- Bettws Newydd
- Trostrey
- Usk
- Llantrisant
- Shirenewton
- Pwllmeyric
- Mathern
The route starts in Abergavenny and features an initial 3.5 km climb gaining 120 m at an average of 3.4%, reaching 177 m. It passes through villages including Llanddewi Rhydderch, Coed Morgan, and Bettws Newydd. The road surface is 99% paved with 85% on minor roads, plus some cycle paths and small sections on main roads. There is a long stretch of 15.2 km from about 0.8 km to 16 km with no café, shop or water, so prepare accordingly. Facilities near the start include cafés, bakeries, a supermarket, and a bike repair stand, and a pub is available in Bettws Newydd at 16 km.
From around 26 km, the route climbs again for 3 km gaining 204 m at an average gradient of 6.7%, with the steepest sustained section reaching 11.7%. This is near Llantrisant, where the highest point of 233 m occurs near Wentwood hill to the side. The final climbs include a 1.5 km climb with 66 m gain and a final 1.3 km climb gaining 50 m near Chepstow, where the route ends at 9 m altitude. Shops and cafés are available around Usk and again near the finish. There are two railway stations close to the start and finish for bailout options.
Highlights
- Climb near Llantrisant with 204 m gain
- Highest point near Wentwood at 233 m
- Passes through Usk with shops and bakery
- Longest climb starts just after Abergavenny
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.1 km | 3.5 km · 120 m · 3.4 % · max 6.1 % | 177 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.4 km | 3 km · 204 m · 6.7 % · max 11.7 % | 233 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.6 km | 1.5 km · 66 m · 4.4 % · max 6.6 % | 221 m |
| Unnamed climb | 41.5 km | 1.3 km · 50 m · 4 % · max 5.1 % | 96 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 2.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 85% minor road · 7% cycle path · 5% main road · 2% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 2.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 9.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 3.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Usk Road (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 37% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.7 km over 5% · 1.3 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.9% at 28.9 km
- Longest descent
- 4.5 km from 34.8 km, dropping 107 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 15 km, from the start. Along the route: 71 cafés and restaurants, 11 shops, 2 water points, 3 petrol stations, 4 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmToilets · 180 m off route
- 0.2 kmTithe Barn Café · café · 170 m off route
- 0.2 kmMorrisons · supermarket · 190 m off route
- 0.2 kmRepair stand · 250 m off route
- 0.2 kmBoots · pharmacy · 280 m off route
- 0.3 kmEsso · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 16 kmBlack Bear · pub · on the route
- 21.7 kmParsons Bakery · bakery · 40 m off route
- 21.7 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 150 m off route
- 21.8 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 21.8 kmUsk Medical Centre · clinic · 50 m off route
- 29.2 kmFfynnon Nef · spring · 190 m off route
- 37.9 kmTredegar Arms · pub · on the route
- 42.9 kmChepstow Community Hospital · hospital · 120 m off route
- 43.3 kmEsso · petrol station · 140 m off route
- 45.3 kmNellie's Coffee Shop · café · 110 m off route
- 45.3 kmTesco Express · convenience store · 180 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Abergavenny (station), 540 m off route
- 43.4 km — Chepstow (station), 1.1 km off route
Worth a stop
- 0 km — Abergavenny Castle (castle)
- 3 km — Tredilion Fruit Farm (attraction)
- 13.7 km — Clytha Castle (castle)
- 39.5 km — Daggers Hill (peak)
Stay after this ride
- The Beaufort Hotel · hotel · 3.1 km from the finish
- St Pierre Country Club · hotel · 3.1 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- Tithe Barn Café (180 m), Oasis Sandwich Bar (190 m), Angel Bakery (240 m)
- Shops
- Tŷ Fferm (210 m), Morrisons Daily (280 m)
At the finish
- Shops
- Costcutter (250 m)
Know before you go
- 15.2 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from km 0.8 to 16
- 2.3 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 9.7 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limit