Gravel · United Kingdom
Ride North Wales
A hilly 59 km road cycling loop from Henllan, Denbighshire through Bryn Rhyd-yr-Arian, Pentre-llyn-cymmer and Cyffylliog, with 874 m of climbing. The first 22 km has no café, shop or water.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 59.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 874 m
- Riding time
- 4 h 14 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Some main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 22 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Henllan
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 874 m
- 59 km
Route description
- Henllan
- Bryn Rhyd-yr-Arian
- Pentre-llyn-cymmer
- Cyffylliog
- Y Bontuchel
- Llanynys
- Pentre Llanrhaeadr
- Llanrhaeadr
- Pont-Ystrad
- Henllan
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.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 441 m, 16.5 km in.
- A 5.1 km descent dropping 206 m.
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
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 3.8 km · 175 m · 4.6 % · max 7 % | 277 m |
| Unnamed climb | 6.7 km | 3.9 km · 127 m · 3.3 % · max 7.5 % | 269 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11.3 km | 5.1 km · 164 m · 3.2 % · max 6.1 % | 441 m |
| Unnamed climb | 25.3 km | 1.6 km · 102 m · 6.3 % · max 11.1 % | 410 m |
| Unnamed climb | 49.1 km | 1.6 km · 65 m · 4.1 % · max 6 % | 108 m |
| Unnamed climb | 54.4 km | 2 km · 60 m · 3 % · max 4.5 % | 157 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Expect stretches on main roads without a cycle lane (22.8 km in all) between quieter sections.
- 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: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- 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
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 22 km, from the start. Along the route: 32 cafés and restaurants, 5 shops, 1 water point, 1 petrol station and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 21.9 kmLlyn Brenig Visitor Centre Cafe · café · 290 m off route
- 21.9 kmToilets · 280 m off route
- 37.2 kmThe Red Lion · pub · on the route
- 44 kmThe Drovers Arms · pub · 50 m off route
- 48.9 kmSiop Y Pentre · convenience store · 140 m off route
- 49.3 kmDyfnog Cafe · café · on the route
- 49.7 kmSpring · 150 m off route
- 54.2 kmMake The Most Of The Carriageworks · café · on the route
- 54.3 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 54.3 kmToilets · 50 m off route
- 54.3 kmBoots · pharmacy · 60 m off route
- 54.5 kmMorrisons · petrol station · 110 m off route
- 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)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Llindir Inn (320 m)
- Shops
- Henllan Stores (420 m)
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
