Cyclists.com

Mathern to Caerphilly

Mathern, Monmouthshire, United KingdomRoad

Signed route The waymarked National Cycle Network Route 4 (part) (National Cycle Network), traced from OpenStreetMap and measured against the terrain model; no member has recorded it yet. Stage 1 of 3 of the National Cycle Network Route 4 (part). Ridden it? Add your recording and photos.

64 km
Distance
317 m
Elevation gain
Moderate
Difficulty
Paved
Surface
Download GPXMap
Caerwent Roman Town: Eastern gateway Roman remains
Photo: Michael Garlick · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Elevation profile

Total ascent
317 m
Distance
64 km
020406080100120m0 km204064 km98 m · highest, at 47.6 kmStartFinish

Route overview

Suitable for cyclists prepared for moderate distance with moderate climbing and some road traffic.

Stage 1 of 3 of the National Cycle Network Route 4 (part): 63.8 km from Mathern to Caerphilly with 317 m of climbing, on the signed route.

The route starts in Mathern and quickly climbs for 3 km, gaining 74 m to reach 95 m above sea level near Chepstow at 2.9 km. It passes through several places including Pwllmeyric, Crick, Caerwent, Caldicot with a mix of minor roads (55%), cycle paths (29%), quiet streets, and main roads. The surface is mainly paved (92%) with some gravel (8%). After Caldicot the route continues through Rogiet, Undy, and Redwick. From km 23.6 to 35.8 there is no café, shop or water for 12.2 km. Along the way, there are bailout points at Chepstow, Caldicot, Pye Corner, and Caerphilly. Around 44.3 km begins the second climb lasting 2 km, gaining 66 m up to 98 m elevation near Graig and Rhiwderin. From there the route passes Lower Michaelston, Draethen, Machen, Trethomas, Bedwas, Porset, and Lansbury Park before finishing at Caerphilly at 62 km. The highest point at 98 m is reached at 46.3 km. Main roads without a cycle lane total 1.8 km, and 10.5 km are on roads with speed limits over 80 km/h. Named roads include Broad Street Common (6.6 km) and Hayesgate Lane (4.4 km).

Highlights

  • Climb to 95 m near Chepstow
  • Climb past Rhiwderin to 98 m
  • Peak Craig Ruperra at 182 m near 51 km
  • Caerphilly Castle near finish

Along the route

Measured from the recorded track and OpenStreetMap.

Places passed

  1. Chepstow 2.9 km
  2. Pwllmeyric 5.3 km
  3. Crick 9 km
  4. Caerwent 10.7 km
  5. Caldicot 13.5 km
  6. Rogiet 16 km
  7. Undy 19.6 km
  8. Redwick 23.6 km
  9. Somerton 35.9 km
  10. Pillgwenlly 37.1 km
  11. Newport 38.1 km
  12. Maesglas 39.4 km
  13. Duffryn 40.6 km
  14. Pye Corner 44.3 km
  15. Bassaleg 44.7 km
  16. Graig 45.2 km
  17. Rhiwderin 46.2 km
  18. Lower Michaelston 48.4 km
  19. Draethen 51.6 km
  20. Machen 53.9 km
  21. Trethomas 57.2 km
  22. Bedwas 58.8 km
  23. Porset 59.2 km
  24. Lansbury Park 60.5 km

Climbs

ClimbStarts atLengthGainAverageMaxTop
—0 km3 km74 m2.4 %3.4 %95 m
—44.3 km2 km66 m3.4 %4.7 %98 m

High point 98 m at 46.3 km; low point 4 m. Passes beneath Craig Ruperra.

What this ride is like

Measured from OpenStreetMap along the track and the elevation profile.

Roads
55% minor road · 29% cycle path · 6% quiet street · 5% road with cycle lane
Main roads
1.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
Fast roads
10.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
Cycle paths
20.8 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
Main roads used
Broad Street Common (7 km), Hayesgate Lane (4 km), Pentre-poeth Road (3 km)
Surface
Paved throughout
Gradient
11% climbing · 9% descending · 79% flat
Longest descent
2.1 km from 3.1 km, dropping 65 m

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

  1. 0.4 kmTesco Express · convenience store · 180 m off route
  2. 0.5 kmNellie's Coffee Shop · café · 110 m off route
  3. 2.9 kmChepstow Community Hospital · hospital · 120 m off route
  4. 5.7 kmThe Garden Restaurant and Cafe · restaurant · 280 m off route
  5. 5.7 kmToilets · 280 m off route
  6. 10.8 kmToilets · 200 m off route
  7. 13.6 kmLadybird Pottery Craft Cafe · café · 30 m off route
  8. 13.6 kmAldi · supermarket · 50 m off route
  9. 13.7 kmCaldicot Cycles · bike shop · 60 m off route
  10. 23.6 kmThe Rose Inn · pub · on the route
  11. 38.5 kmStarbucks · café · 60 m off route
  12. 41 kmAsda · supermarket · 110 m off route
  13. 41 kmToilets · 80 m off route
  14. 41 kmASDA Newport Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
  15. 55.5 kmBasil & Rusty's Ice Cream Parlour · café · 50 m off route
  16. 56.8 kmChequered Flag Filling Station · petrol station · 50 m off route
  17. 61.8 kmToilets · 90 m off route
  18. 61.8 kmSuperdrug · pharmacy · 50 m off route

Need to bail out?

  • 2.4 km — Chepstow (station), 1.1 km off route
  • 14.5 km — Caldicot (station), 40 m off route
  • 44.3 km — Pye Corner (station), 510 m off route
  • 61.8 km — Caerphilly (station), 350 m off route

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

Worth a stop

  • 11 km — Castle Mound (viewpoint)
  • 29.7 km — Whitson Court (castle)
  • 32.9 km — Stay Balanced Alpaca Experiences (attraction)
  • 52.8 km — Machen Corn Mill (ruins)
  • 58.3 km — Battlefield Live (attraction)
  • 61.9 km — Caerphilly Castle (castle)

At the start

  • Nellie's Coffee Shop · café · 510 m
  • Tesco Express · convenience store · 470 m
  • Golden Fish Bar · fast food · 470 m

At the finish

  • Two Shot Social · café · 50 m
  • Glanmor's Bakery · bakery · 80 m
  • Jake's Ice Cream & Co · ice cream · 30 m
  • The Courthouse · pub · 50 m
  • Rosita's Cafe and Bar · café · 240 m

Stay after this ride

  • Premier Inn · hotel · 1.7 km from the finish
  • Travelodge Caerphilly · hotel · 1.7 km from the finish
  • The Cottage Guest House · guest house · 2.0 km from the finish
  • New House Country Hotel · hotel · 2.8 km from the finish

Practical information

Surface
Paved
Route shape
Point to point
Riding time
4 h 33 min
Best months
May to Sep — daily highs of 17–21 °C in those months

Know before you go

  • Longest stretch without café, shop or water: 12.2 km from 23.6 to 35.8 km
  • 1.8 km on main roads without cycle lane
  • 10.5 km on roads with 80 km/h+ speed limits
  • 8% gravel or unpaved surface

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

2 photographs from the road

Photo: Michael Garlick · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Photo: M J Roscoe · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

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