Road · United Kingdom
Regional Cycle Route 13
A mountainous 19 km road cycling route from Llanuwchllyn through Dolhendre, with 465 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 19.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 465 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 22 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Llanuwchllyn
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 465 m
- 19 km
Route description
- Llanuwchllyn
- Dolhendre
The route starts at Llanuwchllyn near the station and café. It heads toward Dolhendre at 4.2 km, passing beneath peaks such as Carndochan at 346 m near km 4 and Wenallt at 322 m near km 5. The first half contains 60% of the total climbing, with three main climbs beginning at km 3.6, 7.3, and 10.3. These climbs vary from 2.1 to 2.8 km in length with average gradients around 5-6% and maximum gradients up to 13.1%. The highest point reached is 521 m at 12.4 km, near Foel Boeth at 615 m and Foel Ystrodur Fawr at 518 m.
The route descends for up to 4.6 km after the highest point, dropping 256 m. The final climb starts at 17.9 km and rises 55 m over 1.2 km before finishing near Dolhendre. The surface is 99% paved with just 1% gravel or unpaved. The roads are mostly minor (91%) with some main, major, and quiet street sections. There are 1.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane and 8.9 km on roads with posted limits of 80 km/h or more.
Amenities include a café and toilets near the start at Llanuwchllyn, a petrol station at 1.3 km, and bailout options from the start station. After km 1.3, there is a 17.8 km stretch with no café, shop, or water. Notable points nearby include the peak Bryn Cau at 9 km and the archaeological site Bedd Porus near 18.3 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 521 m, 12.4 km in.
Highlights
- Climbs to 521 m peak
- Starts at Llanuwchllyn with café and station
- Bryn Cau peak at 9 km nearby
- Longest descent 4.6 km dropping 256 m
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 3.6 km | 2.8 km · 146 m · 5.2 % · max 13.1 % | 324 m |
| Unnamed climb | 7.3 km | 2.2 km · 118 m · 5.3 % · max 8.3 % | 422 m |
| Unnamed climb | 10.3 km | 2.1 km · 126 m · 6.1 % · max 9 % | 521 m |
| Unnamed climb | 17.9 km | 1.2 km · 55 m · 4.6 % · max 6.5 % | 323 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.2 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 91% minor road · 4% main road · 3% quiet street · 3% major road
- Main roads
- 1.2 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 8.9 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 99% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 38% climbing · 33% descending · 29% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.7 km over 5% · 1.5 km over 8% · 0.7 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 12.5% at 4.6 km
- Longest descent
- 4.6 km from 12.4 km, dropping 256 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from km 1 to 19. Along the route: 2 cafés and restaurants, 1 petrol station and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmStation Café · café · 190 m off route
- 0.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 1.3 kmEssar · petrol station · on the route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Llanuwchllyn (station), 180 m off route
Worth a stop
- 9 km — Bryn Cau (peak, 463 m)
- 18.3 km — Bedd Porus (archaeological site)
Stay after this ride
- Rhiw Goch Bunkhouse · hostel · 610 m from the finish
- Cae Gwyn Farm Holidays · campsite · 2.4 km from the finish
- Old Mill Farmhouse · guest house · 3.5 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Llanuwchllyn (180 m)
- Food and coffee
- Station Café (190 m), Eagles Inn (930 m)
Know before you go
- 17.8 km with no café, shop or water after 1.3 km
- 1.2 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 8.9 km on roads with speed limit 80 km/h or more