Road · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 88
A hilly 32 km road cycling route from The Knap, Vale of Glamorgan through Porthkerry, Lower Porthkerry and Pancross, with 261 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 32 km
- Elevation gain
- 261 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 17 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- The Knap
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 261 m
- 32 km
Route description
- The Knap
- Porthkerry
- Lower Porthkerry
- Pancross
- St Mary Church
- Llantwit Major
- St Donats
- Monknash
- Wick
National Cycle Route 88 starts at The Knap in Barry and passes through places including Porthkerry, Penmark, Pancross, Llancarfan, St Mary Church, and Llantwit Major before reaching Ewenny at 32 km. The route mainly follows minor roads (91%) with some paths, cycle paths, quiet streets, and short sections on main roads. Most of the surface is paved (98%) with a very small proportion of gravel or unpaved (1%).
Climbing is moderate with two main ascents: one starting at 6.1 km lasting 1.6 km and rising 43 m at an average gradient of 2.6%, and another starting at 28.6 km lasting 1.7 km with 48 m climbing at 2.8%. The highest point is 100 m at 25.7 km. The route profile is a mix of flat, climbing, and descending with the longest descent of 2.4 km dropping 61 m after 26 km.
Facilities along the route include cafés near Barry and Llantwit Major, pubs near Penmark and Marcross, shops at several places including Barry and Ewenny, drinking water points near 3.4 km and 25.7 km, public toilets at Porthkerry and Llantwit Major, and repair stands at 15.7 km and 31.2 km. The longest stretch without café, shop, or water is 10.1 km between 5.5 and 15.6 km. There are railway stations at Barry at the start and Llantwit Major near 17 km for bailout.
Highlights
- Monknash Monastery ruins near 24 km
- Penmark Castle ruins near 5.4 km
- Two climbs around 6 km and 29 km
- Longest descent 2.4 km dropping 61 m at 26 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 6.1 km | 1.6 km · 43 m · 2.6 % · max 4.2 % | 61 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.6 km | 1.7 km · 48 m · 2.8 % · max 4.1 % | 83 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 91% minor road · 3% path · 2% main road · 2% cycle path · 2% other roads and tracks
- Fast roads
- 3.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 23% climbing · 24% descending · 54% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.4 km from 26 km, dropping 61 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 35 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops, 3 water points, 5 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.5 kmMiss Marco's · café · on the route
- 1.5 kmPorthkerry Public Toilets · toilets · 40 m off route
- 3.3 kmWHSmith · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 3.4 kmDrinking water · 120 m off route
- 3.4 kmWell Health and Beauty · pharmacy · 190 m off route
- 5.5 kmThe Six Bells Inn · pub · on the route
- 15.7 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 17.2 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 17.2 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 170 m off route
- 17.5 kmCafe Velo · café · on the route
- 17.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 22.6 kmThe Doghouse · pub · on the route
- 25.7 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 26.1 kmWick Village Shop · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 31.2 kmEwenny Village Shop · convenience store · on the route
- 31.2 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 31.8 kmCoast Coffee · café · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Barry (station), 790 m off route
- 17.1 km — Llantwit Major (station), 80 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.6 km — Cwm Ciddy Sawmill (ruins)
- 5.4 km — Penmark Castle (ruins)
- 17.5 km — Old Guild Hall/Town Hall (archaeological site)
- 24.2 km — Monknash Monastery (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Ewenny Farm Guest House · guest house · 20 m from the finish
- Best Western Heronston Hotel & Spa · hotel · 930 m from the finish
- New Inn Guest House · guest house · 1.2 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Barry (790 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Coast Coffee (20 m), Ewenny Pottery Cafe (410 m)
- Shops
- Ewenny Village Shop (580 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch with no café, shop or water is 10.1 km from 5.5 to 15.6 km
- 3.2 km on fast roads with speeds 80 km/h or above
- 0.7 km on main roads without cycle lanes
