Cyclists.com

Ride North Wales

Henllan, Denbighshire, United KingdomRoad

Signed route The waymarked Ride North Wales (local route Brenig Loop), traced from OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

59 km
Distance
874 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
St Sadwrn's Church & churchyard, Henllan
Photo: Colin Park · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
874 m
Distance
59 km
0100200300400500m0 km204059 km442 m · highest, at 16.8 kmStartFinish · back at the start

Route overview

Suitable for riders capable of handling moderate distance with sustained climbs and varied road types.

59.2 km loop ride from Henllan in Denbighshire, North Wales with 874 m climbing.

This 59.2 km loop ride starts and finishes in Henllan, Denbighshire, covering a mixture of minor roads (58%), main roads (39%), quiet streets and paths. The route passes through several villages including Bryn Rhyd-yr-Arian, Pentre-llyn-cymmer, Cyffylliog, Y Bontuchel, Rhewl, Llanynys, Pentre Llanrhaeadr, Llanrhaeadr, Pont-Ystrad, and Denbigh, before returning to Henllan. The climb is concentrated in the first half of the ride, with the first three climbs starting at 0 km, 6.7 km and 11.3 km. The longest climb is 5.1 km with an elevation gain of 164 m. The highest point on the route is at 441 m at 16.5 km. After this, the route includes further climbs near km 25.3, 49.1 and 54.4. The longest descent is 5.1 km starting at 33.6 km with a drop of 206 m. Climbing makes up 34% of the route, with 4.5 km over 5%, including shorter steep sections up to 13.2%. The route is almost entirely paved (99%) with just 1% gravel or unpaved. Main roads make up 22.8 km of the ride, all without cycle lanes. One stretch of road has posted speeds of 80 km/h or more over 1.5 km. The longest named roads ridden are the B5382 for 12.7 km and B4501 for 7.9 km. Riders should note there is a 21.9 km stretch without café, shop or water from the start. Food and drink options are available at Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre Cafe at 21.9 km, pubs near 37.2, 44 and 58.2 km, and cafés at 49.3 and 54.2 km. Shops and water sources appear after 48.9 km.

Highlights

  • Bwrdd Arthur peak near km 6.4
  • Highest point 441 m at km 16.5 beneath Gorsedd Bran
  • Longest named road stretch on B5382 for 12.7 km
  • Longest descent 5.1 km from km 33.6 dropping 206 m

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Bryn Rhyd-yr-Arian 7 km
  2. Pentre-llyn-cymmer 25.4 km
  3. Cyffylliog 37.1 km
  4. Y Bontuchel 39.9 km
  5. Rhewl 44 km
  6. Llanynys 46.6 km
  7. Pentre Llanrhaeadr 48.9 km
  8. Llanrhaeadr 49.6 km
  9. Pont-Ystrad 52.7 km
  10. Denbigh 54.3 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0 km3.8 km175 m4.6 %7 %277 m
—6.7 km3.9 km127 m3.3 %7.5 %269 m
—11.3 km5.1 km164 m3.2 %6.1 %441 m
—25.3 km1.6 km102 m6.3 %11.1 %410 m
—49.1 km1.6 km65 m4.1 %6 %108 m
—54.4 km2 km60 m3 %4.5 %157 m

High point 441 m at 16.5 km; low point 32 m. Passes beneath Bwrdd Arthur, Gorsedd Bran, Cerrig Caws.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
58% minor road · 39% main road · 2% quiet street · 1% path
Main roads
22.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
1.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used
B5382 (13 km), B4501 (8 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
34% climbing · 31% descending · 35% flat
Steep sections
4.5 km over 5% · 0.8 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 13.2% at 0 km
Longest descent
5.1 km from 33.6 km, dropping 206 m

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 22 km, from 0 km to 22 km.

Food, water and shops

  1. 21.9 kmLlyn Brenig Visitor Centre Cafe · café · 290 m off route
  2. 21.9 kmToilets · 280 m off route
  3. 37.2 kmThe Red Lion · pub · on the route
  4. 44 kmThe Drovers Arms · pub · 50 m off route
  5. 48.9 kmSiop Y Pentre · convenience store · 140 m off route
  6. 49.3 kmDyfnog Cafe · café · on the route
  7. 49.7 kmSpring · 150 m off route
  8. 54.2 kmMake The Most Of The Carriageworks · café · on the route
  9. 54.3 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 100 m off route
  10. 54.3 kmToilets · 50 m off route
  11. 54.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 60 m off route
  12. 54.5 kmMorrisons · petrol station · 110 m off route
  13. 58.2 kmLlindir Inn · pub · 30 m off route

Worth a stop

  • 6.4 km — Bwrdd Arthur (peak, 232 m)
  • 20.7 km — Bryn y Gors-goch (peak, 423 m)
  • 32.8 km — Capel Hiraddug III Stone Circle (archaeological site)
  • 40 km — The Piggery (monument)
  • 43.6 km — Ruthin ROC Post (ruins)
  • 54.3 km — Leicester's Church (ruins)

At the start and finish

  • Llindir Inn · pub · 320 m
  • Henllan Stores · convenience store · 420 m

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Loop
Riding time
4 h 14 min
Best months
Jun to Sep — daily highs of 16–18 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • 21.9 km longest stretch without food, shop or water from start
  • 22.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
  • 1.5 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
  • Short steep gradients up to 13.2% at start

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Colin Park · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Llywelyn2000 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: Peter Wood · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons