National Cycle Route 43
- 33 km
- 24 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 24 m
- 33 km
Route overview
This 33 km mostly flat route with minimal climbing suits cyclists looking for an easy, moderate-distance ride.
National Cycle Route 43 runs 32.9 km from Caehopkin to Port Tennant in Powys, UK, with 24 m ascent mostly on cycle paths.
National Cycle Route 43 starts near Caehopkin at 226 m elevation and descends steadily over 32.9 km to a low point of 3 m near Swansea. The route passes through places including Abercraf, Ystradgynlais, Pontardawe, and Morriston, ending near Port Tennant. The profile shows mostly flat terrain with some short steep sections at the start and a long 7.5 km descent beginning just after km 0.1. Most of the route (93%) is paved, with 7% on gravel or unpaved surfaces. About 82% is on dedicated cycle paths, with minor roads, main roads, quiet streets, and roads with cycle lanes making up the rest. There are 2 km of main roads without cycle lanes. The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 4.1 km at the route start between km 0 and 4.1. Cyclists can access food and drink at Penrhos Social Club near km 4.1, Junction café near km 9.6, and several other cafés and bars along the route. There are supermarkets at km 9.4, 20.6 and 31.5. Toilets are available near Clydach Mond at km 20.3 and another location at km 28.2. Bike shops at Evans Cycles near km 7.6 and a repair stand near km 28.1 offer maintenance options. The route ends close to several amenities including a café, hospital, multiple stores and a pharmacy.
Highlights
- Cycle path for 26.9 km (82% of route)
- Longest descent of 7.5 km from km 0.1
- Penrhos Social Club pub at 4.1 km
- Supermarkets near 9.4, 20.6 and 31.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 82% cycle path · 6% minor road · 6% main road · 3% quiet street
- Main roads
- 2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Cycle paths
- 27.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 2% climbing · 21% descending · 77% flat
- Longest descent
- 7.5 km from 0.1 km, dropping 153 m
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 4.1 kmPenrhos Social Club · pub · 390 m off route
- 6.9 kmYstradgynlais Community Hospital · hospital · 230 m off route
- 7.6 kmEvans Cycles · bike shop · on the route
- 8.1 kmTexaco · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 9.4 kmAsda · supermarket · 120 m off route
- 9.6 kmJunction café · café · 50 m off route
- 16.1 kmPontardawe Primary Care Centre · clinic · 30 m off route
- 16.2 kmJenkins Bakery · bakery · 140 m off route
- 16.4 kmTesco · petrol station · 100 m off route
- 20.3 kmClydach Mond Public Conveniences · toilets · 60 m off route
- 20.6 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 70 m off route
- 20.8 kmthe overdraft · bar · 100 m off route
- 25.1 kmAsda Café · café · 130 m off route
- 28.1 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 28.2 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 28.5 kmMorrisons · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 31.5 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 32.1 kmDaily Grind · café · 80 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 30.7 km — Swansea (station), 350 m off route
Worth a stop
- 9.3 km — Ystalyfera Iron Works (ruins)
- 29.3 km — Musgrave Engine House (ruins)
At the finish
- Daily Grind · café · 460 m
- Sancta Maria Hospital · hospital · 80 m
- Tesco Express · convenience store · 170 m
- Beefeater · restaurant · 170 m
- Sainsbury's · supermarket · 610 m
Stay after this ride
- Premier Inn Swansea Waterfront · hotel · 190 m from the finish
- The Village · hotel · 280 m from the finish
- Morgans Hotel · hotel · 770 m from the finish
- Premier Inn · hotel · 880 m from the finish
- Grand Hotel · hotel · 1.1 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 2 h 21 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 17–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 4.1 km without café, shop or water at route start
- 2 km on main roads without cycle lane