Road · United Kingdom
National Cycle Network Route 5
A rolling 104 km road cycling route from Llansadwrn, Isle of Anglesey through Llandegfan, Maesgeirchen and Tan-y-clogwyn Cottages, with 618 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 104.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 618 m
- Riding time
- 7 h 27 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Llansadwrn
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 618 m
- 104 km
Route description
- Llansadwrn
- Llandegfan
- Maesgeirchen
- Tan-y-clogwyn Cottages
- Deganwy
- Llanddulas
- Lower Gronant
- Whitford
- Holywell
This 104 km point-to-point route starts at Llansadwrn and passes through many places including Llandegfan, Menai Bridge, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Conwy, Rhyl, and Flint, finishing at Hen Bentref Llandegfan. The total elevation gain is 618 m with climbs around km 5.1, km 26.6, km 77, and km 86.7, the steepest climb reaching a max gradient of 8.2% over 1.7 km at 196 m elevation.
The highest point on the route is 254 m near km 93.6, while the lowest is 2 m around km 38.6. The road surface is predominantly paved (95%), with 2% gravel or unpaved. The route consists mostly of minor roads (38%), cycle paths (36%), quiet streets (12%), and some parts on cycle lanes and main or major roads. There are 4 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 4.2 km on fast roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more.
Cafés and shops are available at many points, including a 7 km stretch without facilities between km 15.4 and 22.4. Key food stops include Plus 39 café at km 5.2, Beach Café at km 30.4, and several along the coast. Bailout points with railway stations exist at Bangor (km 9.7), Penmaenmawr (km 30.1), and others. Toilets, bike shops, and petrol stations are also located throughout the route.
Highlights
- Climb near km 5 with 78 m gain
- Bangor Mountain at 117 m near km 13.7
- Longest climb 4.9 km from km 77
- Views near Bowling Green at km 5.4
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 5.1 km | 2.2 km · 78 m · 3.5 % · max 6.5 % | 89 m |
| Unnamed climb | 26.6 km | 1.5 km · 43 m · 2.8 % · max 4 % | 57 m |
| Unnamed climb | 77 km | 4.9 km · 171 m · 3.5 % · max 6.3 % | 177 m |
| Unnamed climb | 86.7 km | 1.7 km · 72 m · 4.1 % · max 8.2 % | 196 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 38% minor road · 36% cycle path · 12% quiet street · 6% path · 8% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 4.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 39.5 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved: 95% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved and 3% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 13% climbing · 14% descending · 72% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.4 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.4% at 90.6 km
- Longest descent
- 2.6 km from 98.8 km, dropping 157 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 393 cafés and restaurants, 66 shops, 7 water points, 7 petrol stations, 39 public toilets and 11 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 5.1 kmRowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 40 m off route
- 5.6 kmWaitrose · supermarket · 110 m off route
- 11.8 kmDoast · café · 90 m off route
- 12 kmRepair stand · 100 m off route
- 25.9 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 30.4 kmRepair stand · 110 m off route
- 36.3 kmDrinking water · 210 m off route
- 39.4 kmAsda · supermarket · 40 m off route
- 39.8 kmBoots · pharmacy · on the route
- 49 kmSalty Cow · café · on the route
- 49 kmRepair stand · 40 m off route
- 50.3 kmPrinces Service Station · petrol station · 150 m off route
- 60.3 kmWilliams Leisure Cafe · café · 60 m off route
- 60.5 kmCo Op · supermarket · 150 m off route
- 66 kmThe Bike Hub · bike rental · on the route
- 73.3 kmBeach Hut · café · 30 m off route
- 78 kmGronant Inn · pub · on the route
- 95.3 kmSpring · 230 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 9.7 km — Bangor (station), 360 m off route
- 30.1 km — Penmaenmawr (station), 90 m off route
- 39.6 km — Llandudno Junction (station), 70 m off route
- 50.8 km — Colwyn Bay (station), 120 m off route
- 60.5 km — Abergele and Pensarn (station), 50 m off route
- 67.5 km — Rhyl (station), 590 m off route
- 74.7 km — Prestatyn (station), 780 m off route
- 100.8 km — Flint (station), 490 m off route
Worth a stop
- 5.4 km — Bowling Green (viewpoint)
- 38.4 km — Conwy Castle (castle)
- 53.7 km — Chuz Rock (viewpoint)
- 66 km — Green Buoy (monument)
- 69.1 km — Splash Point (viewpoint)
- 84.7 km — Maen Achwynfan Cross (monument)
Stay after this ride
- Swan Hotel · hotel · 660 m from the finish
- Travelodge Halkyn · hotel · 3.7 km from the finish
Start and access
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Costa (410 m), Temptations (500 m), McDonald's (380 m)
- Shops
- Asda (360 m), Sainsbury's (360 m), Londis (390 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without cafe, shop or water: 7 km from km 15.4 to 22.4
- 4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 4.2 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- Sections of gravel or unpaved: 2%
