Road · United Kingdom
Ride the Clwyds
A mountainous 35 km gravel loop from Gellifor, Denbighshire through Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd, Ruthin and Llanferres, with 684 m of climbing. There is a 24 km stretch without a café, shop or water (km 7–31). Mixed surface: 45% is mapped as paved and 55% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 35.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 684 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 56 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mixed, much unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 24 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Gellifor
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 684 m
- 35 km
Route description
- Gellifor
- Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd
- Ruthin
- Llanferres
- Gellifor
The ride starts and finishes in Gellifor, passing through Llanbedr Dyffryn Clwyd at 5.4 km, Ruthin at 7.2 km, then continuing on to Llanferres at 15.9 km and Llangynhafal near the end at 34.9 km. The route forms a loop covering 35.3 km with 684 m of elevation gain.
Climbing is spread over four main sections: a 6.4 km climb starting at 8.6 km climbs 316 m with up to 12.1% gradient, reaching 390 m elevation. Subsequent climbs are shorter with moderate gradients: 1.6 km at 4.6%, 2.5 km at 5.8%, and 1.9 km at 2.8%. The route’s profile ascends steadily in the first half (53% of climbing) and includes a longest descent of 3.1 km dropping 229 m after 30.8 km.
The surface is mixed with 45% paved and 55% gravel or unpaved, and includes 11.8 km of track, 7.1 km of minor road, 6.5 km of path, and 6.1 km of quiet street. Main roads and major roads total about 3.4 km without cycle lanes, with 1.1 km on roads posted 80 km/h or faster. The longest stretch without cafés, shops, or water is 23.5 km between 7.1 km and 30.6 km. Amenities near the route include pubs at 7.1 km and 34.9 km, a supermarket at 7.1 km, toilets at 17.1 km, and a spring at 30.6 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 390 m, 14.9 km in.
Highlights
- Main climb 8.6–15 km up to 390 m
- Peaks near road: Moel Gyw and Gyrn
- Longest descent 3.1 km from 30.8 km
- Pubs: Feathers Inn and Golden Lion
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 8.6 km | 6.4 km · 316 m · 5 % · max 12.1 % | 390 m |
| Unnamed climb | 16.4 km | 1.6 km · 73 m · 4.6 % · max 7.9 % | 348 m |
| Unnamed climb | 23.8 km | 2.5 km · 145 m · 5.8 % · max 9.6 % | 379 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.4 km | 1.9 km · 54 m · 2.8 % · max 4.8 % | 355 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 3.4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 34% track · 20% minor road · 19% path · 17% quiet street · 10% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 3.4 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
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 45% is mapped as paved and 55% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 37% climbing · 32% descending · 31% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.4 km over 5% · 2.2 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.9% at 10 km
- Longest descent
- 3.1 km from 30.8 km, dropping 229 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 24 km, from km 7 to 31. Along the route: 22 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops, 1 water point and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 7.1 kmFeathers Inn · pub · on the route
- 7.1 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 160 m off route
- 7.1 kmWell Street Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 17.1 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 30.6 kmFfynnon y Gweithiwr · spring · 150 m off route
- 34.9 kmGolden Lion · pub · on the route
Worth a stop
- 7.1 km — Maen Huail (archaeological site)
- 13 km — Gyrn (peak, 384 m)
- 20.6 km — Ffrith Mountain (peak, 378 m)
- 31.2 km — Moel Arthur (peak, 452 m)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Golden Lion (600 m)
Know before you go
- 23.5 km longest stretch without café, shop or water
- 3.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 1.1 km on roads with posted limits 80 km/h+
- 55% gravel or unpaved surfaces
