National Cycle Route 465
- 12 km
- 183 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 183 m
- 12 km
Route overview
This ride suits cyclists looking for a short moderate distance with some climbing.
12.4 km National Cycle Network route from Llanhilleth to Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent, UK with 183 m climbing.
The route starts at Llanhilleth (0 km) and proceeds through Brynithel (0.7 km) and Pentwyn (0.8 km) before reaching Aberbeeg at 2 km. It then passes Six Bells (3.8 km) and Abertillery at 5 km, continuing to Bournville (8 km) and Blaina (9.6 km). The road surface is predominantly paved (98%), with 7.4 km on cycle paths and 2.2 km on quiet streets. It includes 1.1 km on main roads without cycle lanes, posted at 80 km/h or more. The longest stretch without a café, shop, or water is 3.3 km between 5.6 and 8.9 km. Climbing begins near Bournville at 8.7 km, rising gradually for 2.7 km with an average gradient of 2.2% and a maximum of 3.2%, reaching 314 m at the climb top. The overall elevation ranges from 147 m at start to 330 m near the finish at Brynmawr (12.4 km), with a total climbing gain of 183 m. Facilities along the route include cafés like Ty Ebbw Fach Cafe near 3.6 km, shops such as Tesco supermarket at 4.9 km and Co-op Food close to 9.9 km, toilets at 1.8 km, and a pub (Bush Inn) near 9.6 km. Llanhilleth provides a station and stores for bail out. Peaks near the road are Darren Ddu (491 m) at 7.4 km and Craig Yr Arail at 4.8 km, both nearby landmarks. The route’s profile has about half climbing, a small descent portion, and nearly half flat sections, with less than a tenth of a kilometre over 5% gradient. The surface includes a minor (1%) unpaved section and some unmapped parts (2%).
Highlights
- Climb from 8.7 km with 59 m gain
- Cycle path for 7.4 km of the route
- Darren Ddu peak near 7.4 km
- Sixbells Guardian monument near 3.2 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 8.7 km | 2.7 km | 59 m | 2.2 % | 3.2 % | 314 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 59% cycle path · 18% quiet street · 12% minor road · 9% main road
- Main roads
- 1.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 7.4 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 52% climbing · 1% descending · 48% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 0 kmLlanhilleth Pharmacy · pharmacy · 110 m off route
- 1.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 3.6 kmTy Ebbw Fach Cafe · café · 50 m off route
- 4.6 kmTesco Petrol Station · petrol station · on the route
- 4.9 kmTesco · supermarket · 30 m off route
- 9.6 kmBush Inn · pub · 70 m off route
- 9.9 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 190 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Llanhilleth (station), on the route
Worth a stop
- 3.2 km — Sixbells Guardian (monument)
At the start
- Llanhilleth · station · 20 m
- Boyals Convenience Store · convenience store · 90 m
- Brynithel Stores · convenience store · 530 m
Stay after this ride
- Queens Hotel · hotel · 3.4 km from the finish
- Best Western Ebbw Vale · hotel · 2.5 km from the finish
- Premier Inn Ebbw Vale · hotel · 3.7 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 53 min
- Jun to Sep — daily highs of 17–20 °C in those months
Know before you go
- Longest 3.3 km stretch with no café, shop or water from 5.6 to 8.9 km
- 1.1 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 1.1 km road with 80 km/h or more speed limit
- 0.1 km with gradient over 10%