Road · United Kingdom
Skyline
A hilly 37 km gravel loop from Rhigos, Rhondda Cynon Taf through Glyncorrwg and Blaencwm, with 551 m of climbing. 54% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane. The first 36 km has no café, shop or water. Mostly unpaved: 86% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 14% as paved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 36.9 km
- Elevation gain
- 551 m
- Riding time
- 3 h 04 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Gravel or mountain bike
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- None mapped
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Rhigos
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 551 m
- 37 km
Route description
- Rhigos
- Glyncorrwg
- Blaencwm
- Rhigos
Starting from Rhigos, the route heads past Mynydd Pen-y-cae at 1.9 km. It climbs moderately early on with gradients up to 6% around km 8, reaching heights near 487m. At 14.2 km the route reaches Glyncorrwg, then drops to a low point of 365m at 14.3 km. From here it climbs through Blaencwm at 29 km, and continues undulating with variable gradients including a steep section over 10% near km 34.9 reaching a maximum height of 591m near Craig Y Llyn at 35.3 km.
The route surface is mainly unpaved, with 86% gravel or track, and 14% paved. It comprises 19.9 km of cycle path and 16.1 km of track. There are no cafés, shops, water or toilets along the 36.1 km stretch, so carry supplies. Peaks near the road include Mynydd Pen-y-cae, Panwaun Pen-y-Coetgae, Pen-pych Mountain, and Craig Y Llyn. The longest descent covers 2.5 km dropping 96 m starting at 22.3 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 591 m, 34.9 km in.
- 54% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Mynydd Pen-y-cae peak at 1.9 km
- Peregine Ridge viewpoint near 12.7 km
- Blaencwm village at 29 km
- Craig Y Llyn peak at 35.3 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 6.2 km | 1.4 km · 40 m · 3 % · max 4.6 % | 445 m |
| Unnamed climb | 8.1 km | 1.1 km · 48 m · 4.3 % · max 6 % | 487 m |
| Unnamed climb | 14.3 km | 2.3 km · 57 m · 2.4 % · max 4.8 % | 423 m |
| Unnamed climb | 16.9 km | 3.5 km · 101 m · 2.9 % · max 5.3 % | 516 m |
| Unnamed climb | 24.3 km | 3.4 km · 76 m · 2.3 % · max 4.1 % | 498 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.5 km | 2.3 km · 121 m · 5.2 % · max 10.6 % | 591 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 54% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 55% cycle path · 45% track
- Cycle paths
- 19.9 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mostly unpaved: 86% is mapped as gravel or unpaved, 14% as paved.
- Gradient
- 40% climbing · 32% descending · 28% flat
- Steep sections
- 2.7 km over 5% · 0.6 km over 8% · 0.4 km over 10%
- Longest descent
- 2.5 km from 22.3 km, dropping 96 m
Food, water and services
No café, shop or water point is mapped along the route - carry everything you need.
Worth a stop
- 1.9 km — Mynydd Pen-y-cae (peak, 576 m)
- 12.7 km — Peregine Ridge (viewpoint, 421.18 m)
- 35.3 km — Craig Y Llyn (peak, 600 m)
Know before you go
- No café, shop or water for 36.1 km
- 86% gravel or unpaved surface
- 19.9 km on cycle path, 16.1 km on track
