Road · United Kingdom
Stage 2 of 5 · EuroVelo 1 (Wales section)← Stage 1Stage 3 →
Pembroke Dock to Carmarthen
A hilly 77 km road cycling route from Pembroke Dock, Pembrokeshire to Carmarthen through Monkton, Lamphey and Tenby, with 869 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for fit, experienced riders
- Distance
- 76.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 869 m
- Riding time
- 5 h 29 min
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 16 km
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Pembroke Dock → Carmarthen
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 869 m
- 77 km
Route description
- Pembroke Dock
- Monkton
- Lamphey
- Tenby
- Saundersfoot
- Amroth
- Llansadwrnen
- St Clears
- Llangynog
- Carmarthen
Starting at Pembroke Dock (0 km), the route heads northeast passing through Monkton (3.8 km), Pembroke (4.4 km), and Lamphey (8 km). Early climbs include a 1.4 km ascent with 42 m gain starting at 0.1 km and a 2.3 km climb with 69 m gain just after Lamphey. After Lamphey the road passes St Florence (15.1 km) and then climbs 1.4 km gaining 61 m between 22 and 23.4 km near Tenby (22.2 km).
Beyond Tenby, there is a 1.6 km climb gaining 55 m near Saundersfoot (26.9 km) followed by a longer 2.8 km climb of 128 m just after Amroth (31.1 km). The profile then includes a 2.1 km climb gaining 85 m past Marros (36.1 km). Next is a 2 km climb with 61 m gain after Laugharne (46.1 km). The last major climb is 4.3 km long with 122 m gain around Llangynog (65.2 km) followed by a descent and flatter finish into Carmarthen (74.8 km).
The road surface is mostly paved (98%) on minor roads (72%) with some cycle path sections (12%) and quiet streets (7%). Some short stretches (4.3 km) on main roads lack cycle lanes, and 1.7 km are fast roads (80 km/h or above). Cafés, pubs, shops and toilets are available at many towns including Pembroke Dock, Pembroke, Tenby, Saundersfoot, Amroth, Laugharne, St Clears, and Carmarthen, but there is a 15.7 km stretch without cafe, shop or water between 56.6 km and 72.3 km. Bailout points with stations are at Pembroke Dock (0 km), Lamphey (7.7 km), Tenby (22.3 km) and Carmarthen (74.8 km).
Highlights
- Climbs up to 8.7% gradient near Amroth
- Pembroke Dock and Pembroke towns early on
- Coastal towns Tenby and Saundersfoot
- Longest descent of 3.2 km after Laugharne
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.1 km | 1.4 km · 42 m · 3 % · max 4.8 % | 48 m |
| Unnamed climb | 8.3 km | 2.3 km · 69 m · 3 % · max 5.9 % | 88 m |
| Unnamed climb | 22 km | 1.4 km · 61 m · 4.3 % · max 7.5 % | 86 m |
| Unnamed climb | 28.5 km | 1.6 km · 55 m · 3.4 % · max 5.9 % | 69 m |
| Unnamed climb | 31.5 km | 2.8 km · 128 m · 4.6 % · max 8.7 % | 138 m |
| Unnamed climb | 37.2 km | 2.1 km · 85 m · 4.1 % · max 7.3 % | 176 m |
| Unnamed climb | 46.4 km | 2 km · 61 m · 3.1 % · max 5.2 % | 74 m |
| Unnamed climb | 60.7 km | 4.3 km · 122 m · 2.8 % · max 5.8 % | 127 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 4.3 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 72% minor road · 12% cycle path · 7% quiet street · 5% main road · 4% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 4.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 9.2 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Main roads used
- Alltycnap Road (7 km)
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 26% climbing · 24% descending · 50% flat
- Steep sections
- 4.5 km over 5% · 0.3 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 8.1% at 34.2 km
- Longest descent
- 3.2 km from 44.1 km, dropping 125 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 16 km, from km 57 to 72. Along the route: 191 cafés and restaurants, 35 shops, 1 water point, 7 petrol stations, 17 public toilets and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0.2 kmAsda · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 0.3 kmToilets · 90 m off route
- 4.8 kmToilets · 110 m off route
- 7.7 kmPetrol station · 120 m off route
- 9.1 kmThe Rowan Tree Café · café · 100 m off route
- 19.7 kmGulf · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 22 kmVista at Tenby · café · 50 m off route
- 26.8 kmsaundersfoot harbour · toilets · 60 m off route
- 27 kmPembrokeshire Pasty and Pie Co. · bakery · on the route
- 31.1 kmAmroth Arms · pub · on the route
- 31.9 kmToilets · on the route
- 46.2 kmSelect Convenience · convenience store · on the route
- 46.3 kmToilets · on the route
- 46.5 kmThe Ferryman Delicatessen · café · 40 m off route
- 53.9 kmSanta Clara · pub · on the route
- 56.6 kmValero · petrol station · 70 m off route
- 74.2 kmTesco Café · café · 90 m off route
- 74.2 kmTesco Pharmacy · pharmacy · 100 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0 km — Pembroke Dock (station), 160 m off route
- 7.7 km — Lamphey (station), 70 m off route
- 22.3 km — Tenby (station), 320 m off route
- 74.8 km — Carmarthen (station), 250 m off route
Worth a stop
- 3.9 km — Pembroke Castle (castle)
- 8.3 km — Lamphey Bishop's Palace (archaeological site)
- 31.7 km — Amroth Castle (castle)
- 46.3 km — Laugharne Castle (castle)
- 53.6 km — Ystrad Cyngen (ruins)
- 70.7 km — Pen Wern-Corgam (peak)
Stay after this ride
- Boars Head Hotel · hotel · 190 m from the finish
- Hotel Spilman · hotel · 390 m from the finish
- Ivy Bush Royal Hotel · hotel · 410 m from the finish
- Old Priory Guest House · guest house · 890 m from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Pembroke Dock (160 m)
- Food and coffee
- Cwtch Coffee (290 m), Seven Spice (120 m), Station Inn (170 m)
- Shops
- Asda (250 m), Lidl (260 m)
At the finish
- Trains and ferries
- Carmarthen (250 m)
- Food and coffee
- Cowpots (150 m), Dexters (50 m), Jenkins Bakery (200 m)
- Shops
- Lidl (260 m)
Know before you go
- 15.7 km longest stretch without café, shop or water from 56.6 km
- 4.3 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 1.7 km on fast roads with 80 km/h or more speed limit
