Road · United Kingdom
Regional Cycle Route 15
A hilly 16 km road cycling loop from Llanycil, Gwynedd through Parc, Rhyd-uchaf and Bala, with 235 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 16 km
- Elevation gain
- 235 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 09 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Llanycil
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 235 m
- 16 km
Route description
- Llanycil
- Parc
- Rhyd-uchaf
- Bala
- Llanycil
This 16 km loop route begins and ends at Llanycil, passing through Parc at 4 km, Rhyd-uchaf at 10.7 km, and Bala at 14.4 km. The road surface is predominantly paved (98%) with minor sections of gravel and unmapped surfaces. The route includes 12.9 km on minor roads, with short sections on major roads, a cycle path, and a main road. Main roads without a cycle lane total 1.8 km. The profile features 235 m of climbing, concentrated mainly in the first half of the ride, including two climbs: a 2.2 km ascent starting at the beginning averaging 4.4% gradient, peaking at 276 m elevation, and a 1.6 km climb from 3.9 km averaging 5% gradient to 269 m height.
The highest point of the ride is 301 m at 8.3 km, while the route descends to its lowest elevation of 165 m at 14.4 km near Bala. The longest descent runs for 2.2 km from 8.5 km, dropping 59 m. Facilities are limited along the way with no cafés, shops or water for 14.1 km from the start. However, there are cafés at the start/finish at Llanycil, with a bakery, supermarket, petrol station, and toilets in Bala, just after 14 km. Bailout is possible at Penybont station near Bala.
Nearby peaks include Bryn-moel-uchaf at 299 m near km 1.2 and Tomen Y Bala castle close to 14.2 km. The route suits those comfortable with moderate climbing and a mix of minor and main roads.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 301 m, 8.3 km in.
Highlights
- Bryn-moel-uchaf peak at 1.2 km
- Tomen Y Bala castle near 14.2 km
- Two climbs within first 6 km
- Longest descent 2.2 km from 8.5 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0 km | 2.2 km · 96 m · 4.4 % · max 9.6 % | 276 m |
| Unnamed climb | 3.9 km | 1.6 km · 80 m · 5 % · max 9.6 % | 269 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.8 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 81% minor road · 7% major road · 5% cycle path · 4% main road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 1% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 31% climbing · 33% descending · 36% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.7 km over 5% · 1 km over 8% · 0.5 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 20.7% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 2.2 km from 8.5 km, dropping 59 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 18 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 2 petrol stations and 3 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 14.2 kmHenblas Garage · petrol station · on the route
- 14.3 kmL Rowland & Co · pharmacy · on the route
- 14.4 kmGerrards Confectioners · bakery · on the route
- 14.6 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 100 m off route
- 15 kmToilets · 60 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 14.8 km — Bala (Penybont) (station), 980 m off route
Worth a stop
- 1.2 km — Bryn-moel-uchaf (peak, 299 m)
- 14.2 km — Tomen Y Bala (castle)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Caffi Pererin (130 m), Loch Cafe (920 m)
Know before you go
- Long 14.1 km with no café, shop or water from start
- 1.8 km on main roads without cycle lane
