Road · United Kingdom
Swiss Valley Trail
A hilly 17 km road cycling route from Seaside, Carmarthenshire through Sandy, Mount Pleasant and Furnace, with 157 m of climbing. 88% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 17 km
- Elevation gain
- 157 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 13 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Seaside
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 157 m
- 17 km
Route description
- Seaside
- Sandy
- Mount Pleasant
- Furnace
- Llanerch
- Tyrfran
- Felinfoel
- Horeb
- Five Roads
The Swiss Valley Trail begins near Llanelli passing through several places within the first 4 km including Seaside, Sandy, Mount Pleasant, Furnace, Llanerch, Tyrfran and Felinfoel. There is a climb from km 1.4 lasting 4.1 km gaining 89 m at an average gradient of 2.2% with a maximum of 3.7%, reaching 97 m elevation. After Felinfoel, the route moves past Horeb, Five Roads, Cynheidre, Upper Tumble, and finishes at Tumble at 17 km.
Most of the route, about 88% or 15 km, is on cycle paths, with the remaining 9% on paths. The Swiss Valley Trail named road is ridden for nearly 15 km. The surface is mostly paved at 92%, with 7% gravel or unpaved and 1% unmapped. The profile ranges from 6 m at 1 km to a high point of 163 m near 16.6 km. Climbing predominates in the first half of the ride at 62% of the elevation gain.
Why ride this route?
- 88% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Climb from 1.4 km gaining 89 m
- Cycle path for 15 km
- Passing through Felinfoel and Horeb
- Highest point at 163 m near 16.6 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 1.4 km | 4.1 km · 89 m · 2.2 % · max 3.7 % | 97 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 88% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 88% cycle path · 9% path · 3% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 15 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Swiss Valley Trail (15 km)
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 92% is mapped as paved, 7% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 36% climbing · 1% descending · 63% flat
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 12 cafés and restaurants, 7 shops and 1 petrol station.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.8 kmWell Pharmacy · pharmacy · 390 m off route
- 2.1 kmThe Colliers · pub · 50 m off route
- 3.5 kmTexaco · petrol station · 110 m off route
- 3.8 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 220 m off route
- 8.3 kmWaun Wyllt Inn · pub · 90 m off route
- 17 kmNigel Williams Pharmacy · pharmacy · 580 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.8 km — Llanelli (station), 1.1 km off route
Stay after this ride
- Crosshands Hotel · hotel · 2.7 km from the finish
- Travelodge Llanelli Cross Hands · hotel · 3.0 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Food and coffee
- The Sandpiper (480 m), Frankie's Kitchen (790 m)
- Shops
- SNA Late Shop (930 m)
At the finish
- Pharmacy and medical
- Nigel Williams Pharmacy (580 m)
Know before you go
- Longest stretch without café, shop or water is 8.7 km from 8.3 km to 17 km