National Cycle Route 42
- 58 km
- 770 m
- Moderate
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 770 m
- 58 km
Route overview
Suitable for cyclists ready for moderate distance and 770 m climbing.
58 km cycle from Llancayo to Llanigon in Monmouthshire with 770 m climbing on minor roads.
This point-to-point route starts near Llancayo at 26 m altitude, initially climbing steadily for 2.6 km gaining 55 m at around 2.1%. It passes through Trostrey, Bettws Newydd, and climbs again from 7 to 9.9 km, gaining 66 m. After Llanddewi Rhydderch at 11.4 km, a steeper climb starts at 11.6 km rising 67 m over 1.3 km with a max gradient of 8.7%, reaching 151 m elevation. The route continues to Abergavenny at 19.2 km where facilities include shops, pubs, a café, a bike repair stand, a petrol station, toilets, and a railway station that can serve as a bailout point. Beyond, a climb from 20.8 to 22.8 km gains 98 m at 5%, passing Mardy and Pantygelli. The route crosses beneath peaks like Twyn-yr-Allt (344 m) near 22.4 km and Great Llwygy (279 m) near 27.9 km. After Stanton at 28.7 km, the climb between 32.7 and 35.1 km gains 46 m at 2%. Near 36.2 km the route passes under Graig Ddu (500 m). The longest and toughest climb spans 39.8 to 45.9 km, gaining 255 m at an average of 4.2%, with a maximum of 10.6%, reaching 540 m altitude. From 46.7 km, a long descent of 9.1 km drops 384 m towards Llanigon. The surface is predominantly paved minor roads (94%), with minor sections on quiet streets, tracks, a main road, and cycle path. There is one significant stretch of 20.9 km without café, shop or water from 36.5 km to 57.4 km, so provisioning before this section is advisable. Named roads include 5.5 km on Old Hereford Road. The gradient includes 3.1 km over 5%, and 1.2 km over 8%.
Highlights
- Llancayo Hill near start at 137 m
- Abergavenny town facilities at 19 km
- Graig Ddu peak at 500 m near 35 km
- Long climb up to 540 m before 46 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 0 km | 2.6 km | 55 m | 2.1 % | 3 % | 82 m |
| — | 7 km | 2.9 km | 66 m | 2.3 % | 4 % | 103 m |
| — | 11.6 km | 1.3 km | 67 m | 5 % | 8.7 % | 151 m |
| — | 20.8 km | 2 km | 98 m | 5 % | 7.9 % | 163 m |
| — | 32.7 km | 2.4 km | 46 m | 2 % | 3.2 % | 224 m |
| — | 39.8 km | 6.1 km | 255 m | 4.2 % | 10.6 % | 540 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 94% minor road · 2% quiet street · 1% track · 1% main road
- Fast roads
- 13.8 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- Old Hereford Road (6 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 35% climbing · 28% descending · 37% flat
- Steep sections
- 3.1 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 9.9% at 45 km
- Longest descent
- 9.1 km from 46.7 km, dropping 384 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 21 km, from 37 km to 57 km.
Food, water and shops
- 3.3 kmBlack Bear · pub · on the route
- 19.4 kmAldi · supermarket · 90 m off route
- 19.4 kmHydrogen Fuelling Station · petrol station · 80 m off route
- 19.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 20 kmRate of Rise Coffee Roastery · café · 30 m off route
- 20.2 kmH. Shackleton · pharmacy · 60 m off route
- 20.3 kmRepair stand · on the route
- 24.2 kmThe Crown · pub · on the route
- 29 kmQueen's Head · pub · 40 m off route
- 36.1 kmDrinking Water · drinking water · 200 m off route
- 36.4 kmToilets · 140 m off route
- 36.5 kmHalf Moon Inn · pub · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 19.4 km — Abergavenny (station), 430 m off route
Worth a stop
- 5.6 km — Clytha Castle (castle)
- 16.2 km — Tredilion Fruit Farm (attraction)
- 19.8 km — Castell Y Fenni (castle)
- 36.4 km — Llanthony Priory (attraction)
- 41.7 km — The Monastery Church, Capel-y-Ffin (ruins)
- 48.2 km — Pen-y-Beacon Stone Circle (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Hay Outdoor Training · campsite · 830 m from the finish
- Hay-On-Wye Caravan Park · campsite · 920 m from the finish
- St. Mary's B&B · guest house · 2.2 km from the finish
- The Swan at Hay · hotel · 2.3 km from the finish
- Seren Bach Campsite · campsite · 2.3 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 4 h 10 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 18–21 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 20.9 km stretch with no café, shop or water after 36.5 km
- 13.8 km on fast roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits