Road · United Kingdom
Rhondda Fach Trail
A hilly 17 km road cycling route from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf through Pantygraigwen, Llwyncelyn and Cymmer, with 228 m of climbing. 72% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 17.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 228 m
- Riding time
- 1 h 14 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- May to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Pontypridd
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 228 m
- 17 km
Route description
- Pontypridd
- Pantygraigwen
- Llwyncelyn
- Cymmer
- Porth
- Ynyshir
- Pontygwaith
- Penrhys
- Ferndale
The Rhondda Fach Trail starts at Pontypridd (0 km) and quickly passes through several small places including Maesycoed, Graigwen, Pwll-gwaun, and Hopkinstown before reaching Trehafod at 3 km. The route mainly uses cycle paths (72% of the distance) and quiet streets (23%), with a short section on minor roads (4%). It is predominantly paved (89%) with some gravel or unpaved sections (11%).
The profile ranges from 76 m at the start to a high point of 304 m near the end at 17.1 km. The climb between 12.6 km and 15.1 km is 2.5 km long with an elevation gain of 52 m at an average gradient of 2.1%. The majority of climbing occurs in the second half of the ride, with an overall elevation gain of 228 m. Facilities along the route include cafés, shops, public toilets, and bike shops mostly near Pontypridd and around 10-15 km, with a notable 3.5 km stretch between 6.5 km and 10 km without any café, shop, or water access. A railway station at Porth (5.1 km) offers a bailout point.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 304 m, 17.1 km in.
- 72% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Cycle path for 12.3 km
- Climb of 2.5 km gaining 52 m
- Start and finish in Pontypridd and Maerdy
- Longest climb tops out at 270 m
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 12.6 km | 2.5 km · 52 m · 2.1 % · max 3.2 % | 270 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 72% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 72% cycle path · 23% quiet street · 4% minor road · 1% other roads and tracks
- Cycle paths
- 12.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 89% is mapped as paved, 11% as unpaved or gravel.
- Gradient
- 46% climbing · 2% descending · 52% flat
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 41 cafés and restaurants, 22 shops, 3 petrol stations, 5 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmLidl · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 2.1 kmBarry Sidings Cafe · café · on the route
- 2.1 kmBike Doctor · bike shop · on the route
- 3.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 4.7 kmTexaco · petrol station · 40 m off route
- 5.3 kmAllied Pharmacy · pharmacy · 160 m off route
- 10 kmLidl · supermarket · 50 m off route
- 10.4 kmWelfare Hall Cafe · café · 120 m off route
- 13.6 kmMurco · petrol station · 160 m off route
- 15.6 kmSpar · convenience store · 180 m off route
- 15.7 kmThe Hotel · pub · 160 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 5.1 km — Porth (station), 130 m off route
Stay after this ride
- Dare Valley Country Park Accommodation · hostel · 3.6 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Pontypridd (320 m)
- Food and coffee
- Zucco (330 m), Rainbow (380 m), The Merlin (410 m)
- Shops
- Lidl (80 m), Asda (310 m)
Know before you go
- 3.5 km without café, shop or water from 6.5 km to 10 km
