Carmarthen to Swansea
- 64 km
- 272 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 272 m
- 64 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders seeking a medium-distance ride with moderate climbing and mixed surfaces.
Stage 3 of 5 of the EuroVelo 1 (Wales section): 63.9 km from Carmarthen to Swansea with 272 m of climbing, on the signed route.
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.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 2.4 km | 3.4 km | 108 m | 3.2 % | 7.3 % | 116 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 52% cycle path · 33% minor road · 5% main road · 5% quiet street
- 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
- Paved throughout
- 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
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 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)
At the start
- Carmarthen · station · 250 m
- Cowpots · café · 150 m
- Dexters · restaurant · 50 m
- Jenkins Bakery · bakery · 200 m
- Caffè Nero · café · 210 m
At the finish
- El Pescador · café · 60 m
- Co-op Food · convenience store · 50 m
- Coast Line Cafe · café · 410 m
- Tesco · supermarket · 380 m
- Tawe River Cruises · ferry · 280 m
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
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 4 h 34 min
- May to Sep — daily highs of 16–19 °C in those months
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