Road · United Kingdom
National Cycle Route 437
A flat 16 km road cycling route from Cwmllynfell, Neath Port Talbot through Rhosaman, Upper Brynamman and Brynamman, with 15 m of climbing. 87% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Steady riding away from traffic
- Distance
- 15.6 km
- Elevation gain
- 15 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 07 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Cwmllynfell
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 15 m
- 16 km
Route description
- Cwmllynfell
- Rhosaman
- Upper Brynamman
- Brynamman
- Twyn
- Garnant
- Cwmaman
- Pontaman
- Ammanford
This route starts in Cwmllynfell and passes through several settlements including Ystradowen, Brynamman, Garnant, Cwmaman, Glanamman, Ammanford, Betws and finishes at Pantyffynnon. The highest point along the way is 177 m at about 1.9 km and the route descends to 22 m at the finish. Most climbing occurs in the first half with 85% of the climb before halfway, while the remainder is largely descending or flat.
The surface is predominantly paved (96%), with a very small proportion of gravel or unpaved sections (3%). The majority of the route (87%) is on cycle paths, with 6% on quiet streets and just 4% on main roads. A notable stretch is the Amman Valley Cycleway, ridden for 7.4 km. The steepest 500 m is at the start, with an 11.3% gradient. The longest descent covers 4.4 km starting at 3.3 km into the ride, dropping 73 m.
Along the route, there are places to refuel including a pub near 2.2 km (Rose and Crown Hotel), cafés at 8.6 km and 13.8 km, and supermarkets at 0.1 km, 7.5 km and 13.8 km. There are petrol stations near 8.3 km and 14.2 km. The longest stretch without café, shop or water is 2.9 km from 2.2 to 5.1 km. A toilet is available at 14.1 km. The route finishes close to Pantyffynnon rail station which serves as a bailout point.
Why ride this route?
- 87% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Amman Valley Cycleway 7.4 km
- Longest descent 4.4 km dropping 73 m
- Pub at 2.2 km Rose and Crown Hotel
- Cafés at 8.6 km and 13.8 km
Along the route
Places passed
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 87% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 87% cycle path · 6% quiet street · 4% main road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 13.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Amman Valley Cycleway (7 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 96% is mapped as paved, 3% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 2% climbing · 27% descending · 71% flat
- Longest descent
- 4.4 km from 3.3 km, dropping 73 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 17 cafés and restaurants, 6 shops, 5 petrol stations and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.1 kmC K Foodstores · convenience store · 170 m off route
- 2.2 kmRose and Crown Hotel · pub · 80 m off route
- 7.5 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 200 m off route
- 8.3 kmTexaco · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 8.6 kmCaffi y Sgwar · café · 160 m off route
- 8.8 kmAmman Valley Hospital · hospital · 140 m off route
- 13.8 kmCoaltown Coffee Roasters · café · on the route
- 13.8 kmLidl · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 14.1 kmToilets · 190 m off route
- 14.2 kmTesco · petrol station · 40 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 15.5 km — Pantyffynnon (station), 170 m off route
Start and access
At the start
- Shops
- C K Foodstores (200 m)
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Pantyffynnon (170 m)
- Food and coffee
- Pantyffynnon Social Club (210 m)
- Shops
- Tesco (980 m)
Know before you go
- 2.9 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 2.2 to 5.1 km
- 0.6 km on main roads
- Steepest 500 m gradient at 11.3% at start
