Road · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 2 · Trans Cambrian Way← Stage 1
Elan Village to Eglwys Fach
A mountainous 106 km gravel route from Elan Village, Powys to Eglwys Fach through Ysbyty Ystwyth, Pont-rhyd-y-groes and Cwmystwyth, with 1,914 m of climbing. There is a 63 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 37–100). Mixed surface: 42% is mapped as paved and 57% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 106.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 1,914 m
- Riding time
- 8 h 52 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 63 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Elan Village → Eglwys Fach
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 1,914 m
- 106 km
Route description
- Elan Village
- Ysbyty Ystwyth
- Pont-rhyd-y-groes
- Cwmystwyth
- Rhyd-y-benwch
- Eglwys Fach
The route starts in Elan Village at 0 km, climbing steadily in the first 2.7 km with gradients up to 13.8%, reaching 402 m. Early climbing continues with several moderate ascents at up to 7 km in length. The terrain fluctuates with climbs and descents including a notable 5.1 km descent starting near km 33. For surface, the route is 42% paved and 57% gravel or unpaved, with minor roads covering 38%, tracks 37%, paths 20%, and quiet streets 3%. There is 4.2 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more. Water springs are near km 27 and 37, although these are off-route by about 120-240 m and the route lacks cafés or shops for 63 km after km 37. Toilets are located near km 10.7 and 65.6. The ride passes through or near the places of Ysbyty Ystwyth (36.1 km), Pont-rhyd-y-groes (37.3 km), Cwmystwyth (42.9 km), and Rhyd-y-benwch (65.6 km). The highest point is reached around km 51.2 at 527 m elevation. The route ends near a railway station at Dovey Junction (100 km), accessible for bailout. Peaks near the road include Carn Gafallt early on and Y Glog near km 43.4.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 527 m, 51.2 km in.
- A 5.1 km descent dropping 188 m.
Highlights
- Climb with max 13.8% gradient at start
- Peaks near road: Carn Gafallt and Y Glog
- Longest descent 5.1 km dropping 188 m
- Water springs near km 27 and 37
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 2.7 km · 194 m · 7.1 % · max 13.8 % | 402 m |
| Unnamed climb | 10.6 km | 1.8 km · 54 m · 3.1 % · max 6.6 % | 372 m |
| Unnamed climb | 22.1 km | 3 km · 66 m · 2.2 % · max 4.3 % | 444 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.4 km | 2.5 km · 82 m · 3.3 % · max 6.8 % | 463 m |
| Unnamed climb | 37.6 km | 1.8 km · 42 m · 2.4 % · max 8 % | 315 m |
| Unnamed climb | 46.1 km | 2.6 km · 172 m · 6.7 % · max 11.8 % | 433 m |
| Unnamed climb | 49.2 km | 2 km · 109 m · 5.5 % · max 11.5 % | 527 m |
| Unnamed climb | 59 km | 4.4 km · 120 m · 2.7 % · max 6 % | 442 m |
| Unnamed climb | 71.8 km | 7.1 km · 190 m · 2.7 % · max 8.7 % | 493 m |
| Unnamed climb | 86.9 km | 1.8 km · 73 m · 4.1 % · max 8.3 % | 209 m |
| Unnamed climb | 89.5 km | 2.8 km · 131 m · 4.8 % · max 9.8 % | 300 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 38% minor road · 37% track · 20% path · 3% quiet street · 1% other roads and tracks · 1% unmapped
- Fast roads
- 4.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 42% is mapped as paved and 57% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 36% climbing · 33% descending · 31% flat
- Steep sections
- 9.9 km over 5% · 4.3 km over 8% · 1.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 20.1% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 5.1 km from 33.2 km, dropping 188 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 63 km, from km 37 to 100. Along the route: 2 water points and 2 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 10.7 kmToilets · 40 m off route
- 27 kmFfynnon Goch · spring · 120 m off route
- 37 kmSpring · 240 m off route
- 65.6 kmToilets · 50 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 100 km — Dovey Junction (station), 840 m off route
Worth a stop
- 6.6 km — Llannerch y Cawr (attraction)
- 29.1 km — Pen Waun Gwyn (ruins)
- 33 km — Chwarel Mawr (peak)
- 41.2 km — Gothic Archade \ Arced Gothig (ruins)
- 78.3 km — Nant Du Mine (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Ynyshir · hotel · 2.5 km from the finish
- Riverside Hotel · hotel · 3.0 km from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Dovey Junction (840 m)
Know before you go
- No café, shop, or water for 63 km after 37 km
- 4.2 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limits
- 57% unpaved or gravel surface
