Road · United Kingdom
Stage 4 of 5 · EuroVelo 1 (Wales section)← Stage 3Stage 5 →
Swansea to Caerphilly
A rolling 85 km road cycling route from Swansea to Caerphilly through St Thomas, Baglan and Taibach, with 520 m of climbing. 59% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane. Mixed surface: 85% is mapped as paved and 13% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Rolling day rides
- Distance
- 85 km
- Elevation gain
- 520 m
- Riding time
- 6 h 04 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly cycle paths
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start → finish
- Swansea → Caerphilly
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 520 m
- 85 km
Route description
- Swansea
- St Thomas
- Baglan
- Taibach
- Kenfig Hill
- Sarn
- Tonyrefail
- Beddau
- Hawthorn
- Caerphilly
Starting in Swansea, the route heads northeast passing through St Thomas, Port Tennant, and Jersey Marine before reaching Briton Ferry and then Baglan. The road surface is mostly paved (85%) with some gravel sections (13%) mainly between km 12 and beyond. The route includes 13 km on minor roads and quiet streets, 4.4 km on main roads (4.8 km of these without cycle lanes) and 50.3 km on cycle paths or lanes, offering a mix of riding environments.
Climbing happens mainly in three moderate sections: a 2.6 km hill from 24.3 km gaining 94 m, a 3.3 km climb from 48.6 km up to 209 m elevation, and a shorter 2.1 km climb from 61.3 km with a gain of 43 m. The highest point is reached near 52 km at 211 m. Along the route are 18 places including towns and villages where food and drink can be found: cafés, pubs, and several supermarkets. After Aberkenfig at 45.8 km there is a longest stretch of 5.8 km without café, shop, or water. Toilets and water points are available at several locations along the way with a water tap at the start.
Refuel options include cafés near the start, at Briton Ferry, and at Caerphilly finish, plus multiple supermarkets and petrol stations punctuate the path. Bailout points at stations and ferry are available including Baglan, Port Talbot Parkway, Tondu, and Pontyclun. This route travels under Warren Hill near km 10, past Margam Abbey near 25 km, and finishes close to Caerphilly Castle.
Why ride this route?
- 59% on cycle paths or lanes.
Highlights
- Warren Hill near 10 km
- Three main climbs with max gradient 5.1%
- Longest descent of 2.2 km dropping 102 m
- Caerphilly Castle near finish
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 24.3 km | 2.6 km · 94 m · 3.6 % · max 5 % | 105 m |
| Unnamed climb | 48.6 km | 3.3 km · 86 m · 2.7 % · max 5.1 % | 209 m |
| Unnamed climb | 61.3 km | 2.1 km · 43 m · 2.1 % · max 3 % | 97 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Much of the route is separated from traffic: 59% is on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 59% cycle path · 11% minor road · 11% quiet street · 5% main road · 14% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 4.8 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 1.1 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Cycle paths
- 50.3 km on cycle paths or roads with a cycle lane
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 85% is mapped as paved and 13% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 16% climbing · 10% descending · 74% flat
- Longest descent
- 2.2 km from 54.4 km, dropping 102 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 207 cafés and restaurants, 53 shops, 13 water points, 11 petrol stations, 8 public toilets and 6 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmWater tap · 240 m off route
- 1.6 kmDaily Grind · café · 30 m off route
- 1.7 kmKevin Thomas Pharmacy · pharmacy · 70 m off route
- 7.5 kmShell · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 16 kmMurco · petrol station · 100 m off route
- 18.6 kmJordanna's Cafe · café · 120 m off route
- 21.1 kmAldi · supermarket · 80 m off route
- 25.2 kmToilets · 120 m off route
- 28.8 kmDrinking Water · drinking water · 200 m off route
- 39.8 kmTexaco · petrol station · 170 m off route
- 40.3 kmBikefanatic · bike shop · 90 m off route
- 45.8 kmLondis · convenience store · on the route
- 59.4 kmBradleys Coffee · café · 40 m off route
- 60 kmSainsbury's · supermarket · 160 m off route
- 71.3 kmHoffi Coffi · café · 70 m off route
- 72.1 kmDrinking water · on the route
- 74.8 kmAldi · supermarket · 130 m off route
- 81.2 kmToilets · 40 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 0.2 km — Tawe River Cruises (ferry), 190 m off route
- 12.8 km — Baglan (station), 370 m off route
- 20.1 km — Port Talbot Parkway (station), 250 m off route
- 32.6 km — Pyle (station), 1.3 km off route
- 40.3 km — Tondu (station), 170 m off route
- 60 km — Pontyclun (station), 1.1 km off route
- 71.4 km — Treforest (station), 70 m off route
- 80.8 km — Aber (station), 270 m off route
Worth a stop
- 10.2 km — Warren Hill (peak, 44.6 m)
- 25.4 km — Margam Abbey (archaeological site)
- 34.9 km — Cefn Cribwr Ironworks (ruins)
- 38.5 km — Hide (viewpoint)
- 45.8 km — War Memorial (monument)
- 71 km — Picnic Area (picnic site)
Stay after this ride
- Travelodge Caerphilly · hotel · 1.7 km from the finish
- Premier Inn · hotel · 1.7 km from the finish
- The Cottage Guest House · guest house · 2.0 km from the finish
- New House Country Hotel · hotel · 2.8 km from the finish
Start and access
At the start
- Trains and ferries
- Tawe River Cruises (280 m)
- Food and coffee
- El Pescador (60 m), The Observatory (380 m), Gigi Gao‘s Favourite Authentic Chinese (300 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (50 m), Tesco (380 m)
At the finish
- Food and coffee
- Two Shot Social (50 m), Glanmor's Bakery (80 m), Jake's Ice Cream & Co (30 m)
Know before you go
- 5.8 km longest stretch without café, shop or water after 45.8 km
- 4.8 km on main roads without cycle lanes
- 1.1 km on roads with speed limits of 80 km/h or more
- 13% gravel or unpaved surface