Road · United Kingdom
Stage 1 of 5 · EuroVelo 1 (Wales section)Stage 2 →
Harbour Village to Pembroke Dock
A hilly 82 km road cycling route from Harbour Village, Pembrokeshire to Pembroke Dock through Fishguard, Carnachenwen and Trefin, with 795 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Hilly days out for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 81.8 km
- Elevation gain
- 795 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 51 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 15 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Harbour Village → Pembroke Dock
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 795 m
- 82 km
Route description
- Harbour Village
- Fishguard
- Carnachenwen
- Trefin
- Whitchurch
- Newgale
- Haroldston West
- Portfield Gate
- Johnston
- Pembroke Dock
Starting at Harbour Village near Fishguard, the route heads briefly through Goodwick and Fishguard before climbing steadily for 2.3 km from 1.3 km, gaining 82 m at an average gradient of 3.6%, reaching 84 m elevation. The highest point on the route is at 7.9 km, at 122 m. The ride then continues through villages including St Nicholas, Mathry, and Abercastle, passing beneath Manorowen Hill at 6.3 km.
The surface is 98% paved, with no gravel sections. Road types include 66% minor roads, 22% cycle paths, and 8% main roads; 6 km are on main roads without cycle lanes, with 6.8 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limits. Named roads include Welsh Road (6.6 km), Brunel Cycle Route (5.1 km), and A487 (3.8 km). There is a 15.2 km stretch with no café, shop, or water between 3.9 km and 19.1 km, but stops are available before and after this.
After Newgale at 46 km, there are further climbs: 1.7 km at 3.7% average, 3.1 km at 2%, and 3.4 km at 3% average gradients near the coast. Places passed include St Davids, Broad Haven, Johnston and Rosemarket before finishing in Pembroke Dock. Facilities at start and finish include stations, cafés, shops, and pubs. The ride has 24% climbing, 20% descending, and 56% flat over varying terrain.
Highlights
- Climb from 1.3 km with 82 m gain
- Passing beneath Manorowen Hill at 6.3 km
- Coastal villages like Abercastle and Broad Haven
- Finishing at Pembroke Dock with station and amenities
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.3 km | 2.3 km · 82 m · 3.6 % · max 5.5 % | 84 m |
| Unnamed climb | 47 km | 1.7 km · 64 m · 3.7 % · max 7.9 % | 73 m |
| Unnamed climb | 49.9 km | 3.1 km · 61 m · 2 % · max 6.4 % | 88 m |
| Unnamed climb | 55.4 km | 3.4 km · 101 m · 3 % · max 4.8 % | 109 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 6.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 66% minor road · 22% cycle path · 8% main road · 2% quiet street · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 6.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 6.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 17.6 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Welsh Road (7 km), Brunel Cycle Route (5 km), A487 (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 24% climbing · 20% descending · 56% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.9 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.4% at 48.9 km
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 8.8 km, dropping 63 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 15 km, from km 4 to 19. Along the route: 49 cafés and restaurants, 10 shops, 11 water points, 5 petrol stations, 16 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.1 kmDolphin Fish & Chips · café · 90 m off route
- 1.1 kmTesco Express · convenience store · 80 m off route
- 1.1 kmFishguard Harbour Garage · petrol station · 90 m off route
- 2 kmFferyllfa Lloyds Pharmacy · pharmacy · 690 m off route
- 19.1 kmCaffi Y Ragna · café · on the route
- 31.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 32.2 kmPebbles Yard Gallery Espresso Bar · café · on the route
- 32.2 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 32.3 kmNisa Extra · supermarket · 300 m off route
- 46.7 kmDrinking water · 40 m off route
- 47.4 kmPebbles Café · café · on the route
- 55.4 kmThe Ocean Cafe Bar & Restaurant · restaurant · 150 m off route
- 55.4 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 55.8 kmYHA Broad Haven Fountain · drinking water · 130 m off route
- 70.4 kmFarmhouse Bakery · bakery · 80 m off route
- 70.6 kmNisa Local · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 76.1 kmEnterprise Cycles · bike shop · 520 m off route
- 79.7 kmTesco · petrol station · 30 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Fishguard Harbour (station), 90 m off route
- 70.4 km — Johnston (station), on the route
- 80 km — Pembroke Dock (station), 160 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.3 km — Ocean Lab (attraction)
- 6.3 km — Manorowen Hill (peak)
- 19.5 km — Melin Trefin Mill (ruins)
Stay after this ride
- Travelodge · hotel · 180 m from the finish
- Inn Between · guest house · 810 m from the finish
- Dolphin Hotel · hotel · 830 m from the finish
- Sleep Well · apartment · 820 m from the finish
- Glan Y Mor · campsite · 1.3 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Fishguard Harbour (90 m), Fishguard Ferry Terminal (110 m), Fishguard and Goodwick (910 m)
- Food and coffee
- Dolphin Fish & Chips (930 m), Rose and Crown (850 m), Hope and Anchor (850 m)
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Pembroke Dock (160 m)
- Food and coffee
- Seven Spice (120 m), Station Inn (170 m), Cwtch Coffee (290 m)
- Shops
- Tesco (260 m), Asda (250 m)
Know before you go
- 15.2 km with no café, shop or water between 3.9 km and 19.1 km
- 6 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 6.8 km on roads with posted speeds of 80 km/h or more
