Road · United Kingdom
Regional Cycle Route 42
A hilly 43 km road cycling loop from Rhôs-y-llan, Gwynedd through Towyn, Sarn Mellteyrn and Botwnnog, with 431 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 43.1 km
- Elevation gain
- 431 m
- Riding time
- 3 h 05 min
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Best months
- Jun to Sep
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Rhôs-y-llan
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 431 m
- 43 km
Route description
- Rhôs-y-llan
- Towyn
- Sarn Mellteyrn
- Botwnnog
- Llandegwning
- Abersoch
- Llangïan
- Mynytho
- Rhyd-y-clafdy
- Rhôs-y-llan
Starting at Tudweiliog, the route passes nearby Rhôs-y-llan at 1.1 km and Towyn at 1.8 km where a café and toilets are available off-route. It continues northwest to Sarn Mellteyrn at 8.1 km, near a pub, convenience store and petrol station. From here to Llanengan at 20.7 km there are no cafés, shops or water for 12.6 km, marking the longest service-free stretch.
The route follows mainly paved minor roads (87%), with 4.4 km on main roads that lack cycle lanes and have posted speeds of 80 km/h or more. There are three main climbs. The first near Sarn Mellteyrn (8.3 km) rises 48 m at 3.9% average gradient. After Abersoch at 22.9 km, a longer 4 km climb gains 137 m at 3.4%. A final climb from Rhyd-y-clafdy at 32.1 km is 2.5 km long, gaining 64 m at 2.6%. The highest point is 157 m near 28 km, with the longest descent of 3.5 km dropping 135 m shortly after.
Along the route are pubs and cafés off-route near Towyn, Sarn Mellteyrn, Abersoch and Rhyd-y-clafdy. Toilets are also available near these locations. The cycle path is a loop, mostly on minor roads with gentle climbs beneath peaks like Mynydd Cefnamlwch, Foel Meyllteyrn and Foel Gron.
Highlights
- Highest point at 157 m near 28 km
- Longest descent 3.5 km dropping 135 m
- Café and toilets at Towyn (1.8 km)
- Pub and shop near Sarn Mellteyrn (8.1 km)
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 8.3 km | 1.2 km · 48 m · 3.9 % · max 6.3 % | 85 m |
| Unnamed climb | 23.3 km | 4 km · 137 m · 3.4 % · max 7.7 % | 146 m |
| Unnamed climb | 32.1 km | 2.5 km · 64 m · 2.6 % · max 4.9 % | 80 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map; 4.4 km is on main roads without a cycle lane.
- Roads
- 87% minor road · 10% main road · 3% quiet street
- Main roads
- 4.4 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 4.4 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Paved: 100% of the route is mapped as paved.
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 22% descending · 49% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.2 km over 5% · steepest 500 m averages 7.2% at 26.9 km
- Longest descent
- 3.5 km from 28.4 km, dropping 135 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 19 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 2 petrol stations and 4 public toilets.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.8 kmCwt Tatws · café · on the route
- 1.8 kmToilets · 70 m off route
- 8.1 kmTafarn Pen-y-bont · pub · 90 m off route
- 8.1 kmGarej Ni · convenience store · 40 m off route
- 23.1 kmTwo Island · café · 80 m off route
- 23.1 kmTalafon Cyf (Londis) · convenience store · 60 m off route
- 23.1 kmToilets · on the route
- 23.1 kmBFL · petrol station · 60 m off route
- 23.1 kmRowlands Pharmacy · pharmacy · 90 m off route
- 27.2 kmToilets · on the route
- 32.3 kmTu Hwnt I'R Afon · pub · 210 m off route
Worth a stop
- 5.7 km — Coetan Arthur (archaeological site)
- 23.5 km — Aberuchaf Craft Centre (attraction)
- 27.2 km — Foel Gron (peak, 170 m)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Food and coffee
- Lion Hotel (110 m), Cwt Tatws (880 m)
Know before you go
- 12.6 km with no café, shop or water between 8.1 km and 20.7 km
- 4.4 km on main roads without cycle lane
- 4.4 km on roads with posted speed limits of 80 km/h or more
