Road · United Kingdom
Regional Cycle Route 43
A hilly 30 km road cycling loop from Porth Ychain, Gwynedd through Sarn Mellteyrn, Blawdty and Aberdaron, with 304 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 30.2 km
- Elevation gain
- 304 m
- Riding time
- 2 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
- Porth Ychain
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 304 m
- 30 km
Route description
- Porth Ychain
- Sarn Mellteyrn
- Blawdty
- Aberdaron
- Trefgraig
- Pen-y-graig
- Porth Ychain
Starting near Porth Ychain at 2.5 km, the route heads north to Sarn Mellteyrn at 8.7 km. From here the main climb begins at 8.9 km, lasting 3.3 km with an average gradient of 4.5% and a gain of 147 m, reaching the highest point of 183 m at 12.2 km beneath Mynydd Rhiw. The descent starts around 15.9 km and continues for 2.8 km dropping 78 m, followed by some flatter sections.
The surface is almost all paved (98%) on mostly minor roads (91%) with 1.9 km on main roads without cycle lanes and 2.6 km on roads posted 80 km/h or more. There is a 10.1 km stretch between 8.7 km and 18.8 km without cafés, shops or water. Facilities include a pub and convenience store near Sarn Mellteyrn (8.7 km), café and toilets near 21 km, and bike repair stand in Aberdaron at 18.9 km. The loop passes through Blawdty, Aberdaron, Trefgraig, and Pen-y-graig before returning to Porth Ychain.
Highlights
- Climb past Mynydd Rhiw at 12.2 km
- Longest descent 2.8 km dropping 78 m
- Tafarn Pen-y-bont pub at 8.7 km
- Coetan Arthur archaeological site near 6.2 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 8.9 km | 3.3 km · 147 m · 4.5 % · max 6.4 % | 183 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 1.9 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 91% minor road · 6% main road · 3% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 1.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 2.6 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 98% of the route is mapped as paved, 2% as unpaved.
- Gradient
- 25% climbing · 26% descending · 50% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.4 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 6.3% at 9.4 km
- Longest descent
- 2.8 km from 15.9 km, dropping 78 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 10 cafés and restaurants, 2 shops, 1 petrol station, 4 public toilets and 1 bike shop.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 8.7 kmTafarn Pen-y-bont · pub · 90 m off route
- 8.7 kmGarej Ni · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 18.4 kmToilets · on the route
- 18.9 kmSpar - Aberdaron · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 18.9 kmRepair stand · 30 m off route
- 21.3 kmSiop Plas · café · on the route
- 22.5 kmToilets · 250 m off route
Worth a stop
- 6.2 km — Coetan Arthur (archaeological site)
- 22.1 km — Mynydd Carreg (peak, 90 m)
Know before you go
- 10.1 km without café, shop or water from 8.7 km to 18.8 km
- 1.9 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 2.6 km on roads with 80 km/h or higher speed limit
