Cyclists.com

Caerphilly to Swansea

Caerphilly, Caerphilly County Borough, United KingdomRoad

Signed route The waymarked National Cycle Network Route 4 (part) (National Cycle Network), traced from OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Stage 2 of 3 of the National Cycle Network Route 4 (part). Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

75 km
Distance
534 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
The Sea Wall at Swansea Bay waiting for the incoming tide and the unrestrained energy of downgraded tropical storm Ophelia. The hillside in the distance is partly obscured by the considerable amounts
Photo: Clint Budd from About 15 miles North of Swansea, Wales · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
534 m
Distance
75 km
050100150200250m0 km20406075 km238 m · highest, at 14.5 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for riders prepared for moderate distance and 534 m climbing over varying surfaces.

Stage 2 of 3 of the National Cycle Network Route 4 (part): 75.0 km from Caerphilly to Swansea with 534 m of climbing, on the signed route.

Starting in Caerphilly, the route heads through St Martins, Nantgarw and Upper Boat to Pontypridd at 11.3 km, where a significant climb starts. A 3.2 km climb gains 180 m at an average gradient of 5.7%, peaking at 237 m. The route continues through Tonyrefail, Hendreforgan and Blackmill, including a 1.9 km climb starting at 21.3 km, with 99 m gain at 5.3%, peaking at 211 m. Afterwards it descends toward Kenfig Hill and Pyle while passing smaller towns and villages along diverse road types including 36 km of cycle paths and minor roads. Later sections pass Margam and Port Talbot. There are shorter climbs of 1.6 km (3.6% avg) and 2 km (2.5% avg) between 34.9 km and 48.6 km, before descending to Swansea at 71.9 km, the lowest point at 4 m.

Highlights

  • Climb peaking at 237 m near Pontypridd
  • Passes Pontypridd at 11.3 km
  • Pass through Port Talbot at 55.6 km
  • Longest ascent 3.2 km at 5.7%

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Nantgarw 3.6 km
  2. Upper Boat 5.8 km
  3. Rhydyfelin 7.7 km
  4. Hawthorn 8.3 km
  5. Graigwen 11.2 km
  6. Pontypridd 11.3 km
  7. Pwll-gwaun 11.3 km
  8. Maesycoed 11.8 km
  9. Y Graig 11.8 km
  10. Tonyrefail 19.6 km
  11. Hendreforgan 24.6 km
  12. Blackmill 29.5 km
  13. Bryncethin 32.7 km
  14. Brynmenyn 33 km
  15. Sarn 34.3 km
  16. Aberkenfig 35.4 km
  17. Tondu 35.7 km
  18. Cwm Ffoes 39 km
  19. Cefn Cribwr 39.7 km
  20. Kenfig Hill 42.1 km
  21. Pyle 42.8 km
  22. Coed Hirwaun 45.8 km
  23. Margam 50.5 km
  24. Taibach 54.2 km
  25. Port Talbot 55.6 km
  26. Aberavon 57.3 km
  27. Sandfields 58.5 km
  28. Baglan Moors 59.5 km
  29. Baglan 60.3 km
  30. Briton Ferry 62.3 km
  31. Jersey Marine 65.4 km
  32. Port Tennant 69.5 km
  33. St Thomas 70.2 km
  34. Swansea 71.9 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—10.6 km3.2 km180 m5.7 %10.8 %237 m
—21.3 km1.9 km99 m5.3 %8 %211 m
—34.9 km1.6 km58 m3.6 %5.5 %101 m
—46.6 km2 km51 m2.5 %5.2 %106 m

High point 237 m at 13.7 km; low point 4 m. Passes beneath Craig yr Allt, Tylcha-ganol.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
50% cycle path · 20% minor road · 10% quiet street · 6% track
Main roads
4.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
38.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
Gelliwion Road (3 km)
Surface
84% paved · 14% gravel or unpaved
Gradient
13% climbing · 17% descending · 70% flat
Steep sections
3.3 km over 5% · 0.9 km over 8% · 0.4 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.2% at 12.7 km
Longest descent
3.4 km from 24.6 km, dropping 84 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Food, water and shops

  1. 0 kmTwo Shot Social · café · 50 m off route
  2. 0 kmToilets · 40 m off route
  3. 6.3 kmThe Food Warehouse · supermarket · 90 m off route
  4. 9.2 kmDrinking water · 60 m off route
  5. 10.9 kmBoots · pharmacy · 130 m off route
  6. 11.3 kmLidl · supermarket · 90 m off route
  7. 23.9 kmGriffin Inn · pub · 340 m off route
  8. 29.5 kmLondis · convenience store · on the route
  9. 34.1 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 220 m off route
  10. 35.3 kmTexaco · petrol station · 190 m off route
  11. 35.4 kmLidl · supermarket · 190 m off route
  12. 46.8 kmDrinking Water · drinking water · 180 m off route
  13. 50.3 kmToilets · 110 m off route
  14. 58.5 kmLidl · supermarket · 40 m off route
  15. 62 kmThe Rose and Crown · pub · 70 m off route
  16. 69 kmRepair stand · 120 m off route
  17. 70.8 kmToilets · 170 m off route
  18. 71.9 kmCo-op Food · convenience store · 50 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 0.6 km — Aber (station), 300 m off route
  • 10.8 km — Pontypridd (station), 210 m off route
  • 35.1 km — Tondu (station), 170 m off route
  • 42.8 km — Pyle (station), 1.3 km off route
  • 55.6 km — Port Talbot Parkway (station), 240 m off route
  • 62.3 km — Briton Ferry (station), 840 m off route
  • 71.7 km — Tawe River Cruises (ferry), 190 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

  • 0 km — Caerphilly Castle (castle)
  • 29.5 km — War Memorial (monument)
  • 36.8 km — Hide (viewpoint)
  • 40.6 km — Cefn Cribwr Ironworks (ruins)
  • 50.1 km — Margam Abbey (archaeological site)
  • 62.3 km — Warren Hill (peak, 44.6 m)

At the start

  • Two Shot Social · café · 50 m
  • Glanmor's Bakery · bakery · 80 m
  • Jake's Ice Cream & Co · ice cream · 30 m
  • The Courthouse · pub · 50 m
  • ACME Burger · fast food · 20 m

At the finish

  • El Pescador · café · 60 m
  • Co-op Food · convenience store · 50 m
  • The Observatory · café · 380 m
  • Tawe River Cruises · ferry · 280 m
  • Gigi Gao‘s Favourite Authentic Chinese · restaurant · 300 m

Stay after this ride

  • Swansea Marriott Hotel · hotel · 150 m from the finish
  • Travelodge · hotel · 510 m from the finish
  • Morgans Hotel · hotel · 660 m from the finish
  • Premier Inn · hotel · 620 m from the finish
  • Premier Inn Swansea Waterfront · hotel · 1.2 km from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
5 h 21 min
Best months
Jun to Sep — daily highs of 18–20 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 7.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 11.3 to 18.8 km
  • 4.1 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 1 km fast roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
  • 14% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Clint Budd from About 15 miles North of Swansea, Wales · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Gareth James · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Alan Hughes · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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