Road · From the map · United Kingdom
National Cycle Network Route (part)
- 115 km
- 1,423 m
- Hard
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 1,423 m
- 115 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders prepared for moderate distance and climbing with some sustained gradients
115.2 km National Cycle Network route from Llanelli to Fishguard with 1423 m climbing in Carmarthenshire.
This part of the National Cycle Network starts near Llanelli at Seaside and heads northwest passing through places including Furnace, Horeb, and Cross Hands. The route climbs significantly early on with a 3.7 km ascent gaining 87 m at an average 2.3% gradient, then continues through Felinfoel before reaching Carmarthen at 39.5 km. The middle section has several climbs with gradients up to 6% and short steeper pitches up to 11.5%, notably between km 45 and 65 near Bronwydd Arms, Trelech, and Dinas. The highest point is near km 74.7 at 283 m beneath peaks such as Frenni Fawr and Rhos Goch. Most of the ride is on minor roads (68%), cycle paths (17%) and some main roads (7%), with 7.7 km of main roads lacking cycle lanes. There is a continuous stretch of 22.1 km between about km 42 and 64 without cafés, shops, or water, so riders should prepare. The route ends in Fishguard after passing through places like Rosebush, Puncheston and Llanychaer Bridge. Along the way, there are pubs, cafés, supermarkets and a few bike shops and petrol stations scattered mostly near towns. Several railway stations offer bailout options including Llanelli, Carmarthen, Bronwydd Arms and Fishguard and Goodwick. Toilets are available near km 26 and close to the end around km 110. The surface is mainly paved (97%) with minor gravel (2%).
Highlights
- Peak elevation 283 m near km 74.7 beneath Frenni Fawr
- Climb of 2.5 km at 6% average gradient after km 45
- Longest descent of 3.8 km from km 106.1 dropping 204 m
- Longest named road: Swiss Valley Trail, 15 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 1 km | 3.7 km | 87 m | 2.3 % | 3.4 % | 93 m |
| — | 42.4 km | 1.7 km | 53 m | 3.1 % | 5.3 % | 71 m |
| — | 45.2 km | 2.5 km | 152 m | 6 % | 11.5 % | 196 m |
| — | 55.9 km | 2.3 km | 90 m | 3.9 % | 6.8 % | 178 m |
| — | 59.2 km | 1.5 km | 69 m | 4.6 % | 8.3 % | 212 m |
| — | 65 km | 1.5 km | 60 m | 4.1 % | 8.1 % | 233 m |
| — | 82.7 km | 1.6 km | 42 m | 2.7 % | 4 % | 241 m |
| — | 98.5 km | 3.6 km | 131 m | 3.6 % | 6.2 % | 272 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 68% minor road · 17% cycle path · 7% main road · 6% quiet street
- Main roads
- 7.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 34.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 19.1 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Swiss Valley Trail (15 km), B4313 (5 km), Heol y Foel (4 km)
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 30% climbing · 26% descending · 44% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.2 km over 5% · 0.7 km over 8% · 0.3 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 10.4% at 48 km
- Longest descent
- 3.8 km from 106.1 km, dropping 204 m
Along the way
Longest stretch without a café, shop or water: 22 km, from 42 km to 64 km.
Food, water and shops
- 0.7 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 440 m off route
- 1.7 kmThe Colliers · pub · 80 m off route
- 3.1 kmTexaco · petrol station · 110 m off route
- 7.8 kmWaun Wyllt Inn · pub · 100 m off route
- 16.7 kmHenleys · café · 130 m off route
- 16.7 kmNigel Williams Pharmacy · pharmacy · 140 m off route
- 23.8 kmPrince of Wales · pub · on the route
- 26.1 kmToilets · 190 m off route
- 38.9 kmAldi · supermarket · 150 m off route
- 39.5 kmTexaco · petrol station · 120 m off route
- 42.1 kmCosta · café · 170 m off route
- 42.1 kmRenal Dialysis Unit · clinic · on the route
- 76.5 kmPasta Boy · café · 40 m off route
- 76.7 kmMorrisons Daily · convenience store · 110 m off route
- 95.1 kmTufton Arms · pub · 40 m off route
- 99.1 kmThe Drovers Arms · pub · 40 m off route
- 110 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 110.1 kmFferyllfa Lloyds Pharmacy · pharmacy · 50 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.5 km — Llanelli (station), 1.1 km off route
- 39.5 km — Carmarthen (station), 190 m off route
- 45.8 km — Bronwydd Arms (station), 250 m off route
- 111.2 km — Fishguard and Goodwick (station), 1.1 km off route
Worth a stop
- 26.1 km — Ice House (attraction)
- 39.5 km — Carmarthen Castle (castle)
- 68.5 km — Crug Bach Round Barrow (archaeological site)
- 75 km — Rhos Goch Round Barrow (archaeological site)
- 97.2 km — Castell Mound (archaeological site)
At the start
- The Sandpiper · pub · 480 m
- Frankie's Kitchen · restaurant · 790 m
- SNA Late Shop · convenience store · 930 m
At the finish
- Creswell's Cafe · café · 730 m
- Elephant Pie Tearooms · café · 840 m
- Nisa Extra · supermarket · 770 m
- Co-op Food · supermarket · 820 m
- Fishguard Kebabs · fast food · 710 m
Stay after this ride
- Abergwaun Hotel · hotel · 960 m from the finish
- Cartref · hotel · 930 m from the finish
- The Tara Hotel · guest house · 590 m from the finish
- Seaview Hotel · hotel · 490 m from the finish
- Pentower Guest House · guest house · 1.3 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 8 h 14 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 17–19 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 22.1 km with no café, shop or water between km 42.1 and 64.2
- 7.7 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 34.7 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or higher