Rhondda Fach Trail
- 17 km
- 228 m
- Easy
- Paved
Elevation profile
- 228 m
- 17 km
Route overview
Suitable for riders comfortable with moderate distance and gentle climbing over mixed surfaces.
17.2 km route from Pontypridd to Maerdy with 228 m climbing in Rhondda Cynon Taf, mainly on cycle paths and quiet streets.
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.
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 | Length | Gain | Average | Max | Top |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | 12.6 km | 2.5 km | 52 m | 2.1 % | 3.2 % | 270 m |
What this ride is like
- Roads
- 72% cycle path · 23% quiet street · 4% minor road
- Cycle paths
- 12.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Paved throughout
- Gradient
- 46% climbing · 2% descending · 52% flat
Along the way
Food, water and shops
- 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
At the start
- Lidl · supermarket · 80 m
- Pontypridd · station · 320 m
- Zucco · café · 330 m
- Rainbow · fast food · 380 m
- Asda · convenience store · 310 m
Stay after this ride
- Dare Valley Country Park Accommodation · hostel · 3.6 km from the finish
Practical information
- Paved
- Point to point
- 1 h 14 min
- May to Sep — daily highs of 16–20 °C in those months
Know before you go
- 3.5 km without café, shop or water from 6.5 km to 10 km