Horseshoe Pass from Llangollen

Llangollen, United KingdomRoad

Routed from the map This classic road was traced on OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

7 km
Distance: 292 m
Elevation gain: Easy
Difficulty: Paved
Surface

Download GPX Map

Elevation profile

Total ascent: 292 m
Distance: 7 km

Route overview

This ride suits cyclists looking for a moderate 7 km climb with 292 m of elevation gain.

A 7.1 km climb from Llangollen to the Horseshoe Pass in the UK, gaining 292m elevation.

Starting from Llangollen at 84m elevation, the route immediately faces a climb beginning at 1.2 km that rises 285m over 5.9 km to reach 376m at the Horseshoe Pass. The average gradient of the climb is 4.8%, with a maximum of 8.7% and the steepest 500m section at 8.6% around 4.5 km. The route is fully paved and mainly follows the A542 for 6 km, with 93% on main roads and 7% on quiet streets. The road mostly climbs, with 69% uphill, 1% descending, and 30% flat. There are 3.3 km with gradients over 5% and 1.1 km over 8%. The ride includes 2.2 km sections where the speed limit is 80 km/h or more. Facilities at the start in Llangollen include cafés, bike shops, toilets, a supermarket, and a petrol station. The longest section without café, shop, or water runs for 2.8 km from 4.3 km to the top at 7.1 km. Nearby peaks along the route include Barber's Hill at 340m near 0.9 km, Llwyn Twr at 200m near 1.7 km, Velvet Hill at 230m near 2.7 km, Fron Fawr at 378m near 3.7 km, and Moel y Faen at 548m near the top at 7.1 km.

Highlights

Climb of 5.9 km gaining 285 m
Top at Horseshoe Pass, 376 m elevation
Peaks nearby: Barber's Hill, Fron Fawr, Moel y Faen
Route follows 6 km of A542 main road

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Climbs

Climb	Starts at	Length	Gain	Average	Max	Top
Moel y Faen	1.2 km	5.9 km	285 m	4.8 %	8.7 %	376 m

High point 376 m at 7.1 km; low point 84 m. Passes beneath Barber's Hill, Llwyn Twr, Velvet Hill.

Moel y Faen · starts at 1.2 km

5.9 km at 4.8% · 285 m

< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads: 93% main road · 7% quiet street
Main roads: 6.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads: 2.2 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Main roads used: A542 (6 km)
Surface: Paved throughout
Gradient: 69% climbing · 1% descending · 30% flat
Steep sections: 3.3 km over 5% · 1.1 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.6% at 4.5 km

Along the way

Within a few hundred metres of the track, from OpenStreetMap. Opening hours change — treat this as where to look, not a promise.

Food, water and shops

0 kmStans Of Llangollen · supermarket · 60 m off route
0 kmToilets · on the route
0 kmTexaco · petrol station · 70 m off route
0.2 kmDrosi Bikes · bike shop · on the route
0.3 kmRowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 530 m off route
0.4 kmFinley's Sandwich Bar · café · on the route

Need to bail out?

0.5 km — Llangollen (station), 40 m off route

Whether bikes are carried depends on the service — check before relying on it.

Worth a stop

0.4 km — Llangollen Wharf Horse Drawn Boat Trips (attraction)

At the start

George’s Cafe · café · 40 m
Drosi Bikes · bike shop · 120 m
Let's Avocuddle · café · 60 m
Bear Trax · bike shop · 70 m
Gerrards · bakery · 80 m

Stay after this ride

Abbey Grange Hotel · hotel · 2.8 km from the finish
Abbey Farm · campsite · 3.4 km from the finish
The Chainbridge Hotel · hotel · 3.9 km from the finish

Practical information

Surface: Paved
Route shape: Point to point
Riding time: 30 min

Know before you go

6.6 km on main roads without cycle lane
2.2 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limit
Longest stretch without café or shop for 2.8 km from 4.3 to 7.1 km

Routes are for inspiration. Roads, surfaces and conditions change — check locally and ride within your limits.