Road · United Kingdom
National Cycle Network Route 4
A mountainous 11 km road cycling route from Llanddowror, Carmarthenshire through Laugharne and Llansadwrnen, with 173 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 11.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 173 m
- Riding time
- 48 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Llanddowror
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 173 m
- 11 km
Route description
- Llanddowror
- Laugharne
- Llansadwrnen
The route runs from Llanddowror past Laugharne at 5.4 km and Llansadwrnen at 7.4 km before finishing at 11.2 km. It starts at an elevation near 12 m at km 5.2 and rises steadily to reach its highest point at 160 m at the finish. The surfaced route is fully paved on minor roads for 82% and main roads for 18%, with 2 km on main roads lacking cycle lanes.
Climbing occurs mainly from km 5.2 over 3.6 km gaining 134 m at an average gradient of 3.7%, with a maximum gradient of 8.8% and a steepest 500 m section at 8.5% near km 6.6. There is also a longest descent of 1.6 km starting from km 3.1 dropping 58 m. For refuelling, The Ferryman Delicatessen café, a convenience shop, drinking water, and toilets are available at around km 5, just off route. There is a longest stretch without café, shop or water of 5.8 km from km 5.4 to 11.2.
Laugharne Castle lies 69 m off route near km 5.2 and may be of interest. No specific petrol stations or bike shops are listed along the route, and no bailout points are noted. The surface is fully paved with no gravel or unpaved sections. No temperature or best season data is available.
Highlights
- Laugharne at 5.4 km
- Climb from 5.2 km for 3.6 km gaining 134 m
- Laugharne Castle near 5.2 km
- Finish at 160 m elevation
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 5.2 km | 3.6 km · 134 m · 3.7 % · max 8.8 % | 146 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 2 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 82% minor road · 18% main road
- Main roads
- 2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 37% climbing · 22% descending · 41% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.8 km over 5% · 0.4 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.5% at 6.6 km
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 8 cafés and restaurants, 1 shop, 1 water point and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 5 kmThe Ferryman Delicatessen · café · on the route
- 5 kmThe Pharmacy, Laugharne Post Office · pharmacy · on the route
- 5.3 kmSelect Convenience · convenience store · on the route
- 5.3 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 5.3 kmToilets · on the route
Worth a stop
- 5.2 km — Laugharne Castle (castle)
Stay after this ride
- Thorning Farm Glamping and Camping · campsite · 3.8 km from the finish
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 5.8 km from 5.4 km
- 2 km on main roads without cycle lane
