Road · United Kingdom
Stage 3 of 5 · EuroVelo 1 (Wales section)← Stage 2Stage 4 →
Carmarthen to Swansea
A rolling 64 km road cycling route from Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire to Swansea through Croesyceiliog, Kidwelly and Pwll, with 272 m of climbing. 51% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 63.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 272 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 34 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Carmarthen → Swansea
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 272 m
- 64 km
Route description
- Carmarthen
- Croesyceiliog
- Kidwelly
- Pwll
- Seaside
- Bynea
- Gowerton
- Upper Killay
- Blackpill
- Swansea
The ride starts in Carmarthen and quickly passes through Llangunnor and Croesyceiliog. The profile features a main climb beginning at 2.4 km, lasting 3.4 km, rising 108 m at an average gradient of 3.2% with a max of 7.3%, reaching 116 m height. The highest point of the route is 128 m at 9.9 km. The route then descends over 3.4 km dropping 118 m. It passes through several places including Ferryside, Kidwelly, Pembrey, Burry Port, Llanelli, and continues to Swansea.
The surface is mainly paved (89%), with some gravel or unpaved sections (7%) and a small unmapped portion (4%). The route uses a mix of cycle paths (33 km), minor roads (21 km), main roads (3.1 km), quiet streets (3 km), and paths (2.8 km). Main roads without a cycle lane total 3.1 km, and 1.1 km are on fast roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more. Significant named cycle paths include 15.4 km on the Millennium Coastal Path, 6.3 km on the Clyne Cycle Path, and 3.2 km on the Swansea Bay Cycle Path.
Facilities along the route include cafés, pubs and supermarkets spread regularly, with the longest stretch without a café, shop or water lasting 8.3 km between 5.6 km and 13.9 km. There are railway stations in Carmarthen, Ferryside, Kidwelly, Pembrey and Burry Port, Llanelli, and Gowerton where one can bail out. Water tap is available near the end at 62.7 km in Swansea. Bike shops and repair stands are also located near the start and towards the end. Toilets are located at multiple points, often close to cafés and shops.
Why ride this route?
- 51% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Longest stretch on Millennium Coastal Path (15.4 km)
- Main climb rising 108 m at 3.2% average gradient
- Passes through historic towns: Carmarthen, Kidwelly, Llanelli
- Cycle paths total 33 km of the route
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 2.4 km | 3.4 km · 108 m · 3.2 % · max 7.3 % | 116 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 51% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 52% cycle path · 33% minor road · 5% main road · 5% quiet street · 5% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 32.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Millennium Coastal Path (15 km), Clyne Cycle Path (6 km), Swansea Bay Cycle Path (3 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 89% is mapped as paved, 7% as unpaved or gravel and 4% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 10% climbing · 11% descending · 79% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.5 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.6% at 5.3 km
- Longest descent
- 3.4 km from 9.9 km, dropping 118 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 135 cafés and restaurants, 26 shops, 1 water point, 5 petrol stations, 12 public toilets and 10 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmWalter Lloyd · pharmacy · 220 m off route
- 0.5 kmBeiciau Hobbs Bikes · bike shop · 70 m off route
- 1.2 kmAldi · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 5.6 kmPeckish · café · 370 m off route
- 13.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 21.4 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 21.7 kmMurco · petrol station · on the route
- 30.3 kmThe Co-operative Food · supermarket · 170 m off route
- 30.6 kmToilets · 30 m off route
- 37.2 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 750 m off route
- 37.5 kmSpar · supermarket · 360 m off route
- 46.6 kmLewis Arms · pub · 70 m off route
- 50.4 kmTesco · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 51.2 kmMotley Pie & Coffee · café · on the route
- 55.5 kmThe Railway Inn · pub · 50 m off route
- 59.7 kmToilets · 80 m off route
- 62.7 kmEl Pescador · café · 60 m off route
- 62.7 kmWater tap · 240 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.3 km — Carmarthen (station), on the route
- 13.9 km — Ferryside (station), 30 m off route
- 20.7 km — Kidwelly (station), 290 m off route
- 30.3 km — Pembrey and Burry Port (station), 200 m off route
- 37.2 km — Llanelli (station), 690 m off route
- 51.1 km — Gowerton (station), 120 m off route
- 62.7 km — Tawe River Cruises (ferry), 280 m off route
Worth a stop
- 0.5 km — Carmarthen Castle (castle)
- 30.3 km — Amelia Earhart Monument (monument)
- 43.5 km — Water Lab (attraction)
- 47.4 km — Loughor Castle (castle)
- 50.9 km — Bethel Calvinistic Methodist Chapel (ruins)
- 58.4 km — The Mill Bridge (attraction)
Stay after this ride
- Swansea Marriott Hotel · hotel · 150 m from the finish
- Tudor Court Hotel · hotel · 850 m from the finish
- Beachcomber · guest house · 1.0 km from the finish
- Capstan House · hotel · 990 m from the finish
- Travelodge · hotel · 510 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Carmarthen (250 m)
- Food and coffee
- Cowpots (150 m), Dexters (50 m), Jenkins Bakery (200 m)
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Tawe River Cruises (280 m)
- Food and coffee
- El Pescador (60 m), Coast Line Cafe (410 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (50 m), Tesco (380 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water 8.3 km between 5.6 km and 13.9 km
- 3.1 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1.1 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 7% of the route is gravel or unpaved
