Road · United Kingdom
Regional Cycle Route 12
A mountainous 38 km road cycling loop from Llanwddyn, Powys through Rhos-y-gwaliau, Bala and Llangywer, with 632 m of climbing over Clipiau Duon.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 38.4 km
- Elevation gain
- 632 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 45 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Llanwddyn
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 632 m
- 38 km
Route description
- Llanwddyn
- Rhos-y-gwaliau
- Bala
- Llangywer
- Clipiau Duon
- Llanwddyn
This 38.4 km loop starts and finishes at Llanwddyn in Powys. The initial 4 km includes the major climb of 234 m at an average gradient of 5.9%, reaching a top height of 494 m near Braich-yr-Owen (500 m) and Yr Eithin (571 m). The route passes the places Rhos-y-gwaliau at 13 km, Bala at 14.5 km, and Llangywer at 18.3 km.
The route has a mixture of road types: 27.5 km on minor roads, 7.4 km on main roads (all without cycle lanes). Around 19.7 km is on fast roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more, including a 6.8 km section on the B4403. The surface is mostly paved (98%) with 2% gravel or unpaved sections.
There are two further climbs after km 20: one 2.9 km climb gaining 88 m at an average 3.1%, and a longer 4.6 km climb with 258 m gain averaging 5.6% gradient, peaking at 534 m near Foel Y Groes (582 m). Descents include a longest 5.5 km drop near the end with 212 m loss. There is a long 18.2 km stretch without café, shop or water from the start until near Llangywer. The Station Café at 21.5 km offers food and water slightly off route. Toilets are available at 18.5 km alongside a water tap nearby. A railway station (Pentrepiod Halt) lies at 19.7 km just off the route, providing a bailout option.
Why ride this route?
- Climbs Clipiau Duon (4.6 km at 5.7 %).
- Tops out at 534 m, 29.7 km in.
- A 5.5 km descent dropping 212 m.
Highlights
- Climb to 494 m near Braich-yr-Owen and Yr Eithin
- Pass through Bala at 14.5 km
- Peak near Foel Y Groes at 29.7 km
- Eunant Viewpoint at 36.7 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Full ascent | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 4 km · 234 m · 5.9 % · max 11.1 % | — | 494 m |
| Unnamed climb | 21.1 km | 2.9 km · 88 m · 3.1 % · max 5.8 % | — | 278 m |
| Clipiau Duon | 25.1 km | 4.6 km · 258 m · 5.6 % · max 9.5 % | 4.6 km · 263 m · 5.7 % | 534 m |
Clipiau Duon · full ascent, starts at 25 km
< 4%4 – 7%7 – 10%> 10%
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 7.4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 72% minor road · 19% main road · 6% other · 2% track · 1% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 7.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 19.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B4403 (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 32% climbing · 34% descending · 34% flat
- Steep sections
- 5.5 km over 5% · 1.2 km over 8% · 0.6 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 21.9% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 5.5 km from 31 km, dropping 212 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from the start. Along the route: 1 café or restaurant, 3 water points and 4 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 18.2 kmWater tap · 170 m off route
- 18.5 kmToilets · on the route
- 21.5 kmStation Café · café · 190 m off route
- 21.5 kmDrinking water · 230 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 19.7 km — Pentrepiod Halt (station), 30 m off route
Worth a stop
- 3.7 km — Foel Y Garnedd (peak, 532 m)
- 7.2 km — Foel y Ddinas (peak, 489 m)
- 29.7 km — Foel Y Groes (peak, 582 m)
- 36.7 km — Eunant Viewpoint (viewpoint)
Know before you go
- 18.2 km longest stretch without café, shop, or water from 0 to 18.2 km
- 7.4 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 19.7 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or higher
- 1.2 km gradient over 8%, max 11.1% at start