Bettws Mountain Recce from Dunvant Rugby Club

Bettws Mountain Recce
A Swansea and Gower Cycling Festival Ride: Head north on the cycle path to Gowerton, then right, heading for Waunarlwydd, before turning left on to Ystrad Road. Follow on to Fforestfach, cross the Carmarthen Road at Tesco's and on to Pentregethin Road. Follow the rising road for 1.5 miles (max 9%) to Portmead and go left up towards Llangyfelach. Cross over the main road onto Pant Lasau Road, and keep heading north east, skirting Morriston to Craigfelen before dropping down into Clydach. At Clydach, join the cycle path – NCR 43 – along the river, to Pontardawe, where we rejoin the road. Climb for half a mile heading north out of Pontardawe (max 11%), a short flat bit, then the serious climbing begins for 1.5 miles, average 8%, before a 1.4 mile descent and another climb of 1.3 miles at max of 14% to Bettws Mountain. Bring a packed lunch to be eaten here. After lunch, heading south on 1.6 mile descent, before yet another climb, about .5 mile averaging 7%, followed by 2.5 mile descent to the Mason's Arms, where we turn sharp right for Rhydypandy, and on undulating road to teh turn for Lliw Reservoir. Hopefully we can get a coffee at teh cafe, before returning to the main road, drop down into Felindre and more climbing on quiet roads, including a last climb of 8% max. From teh top there is a 3 mile descent through Pontlliw and on to join the cycle path south of Pontardulais. Follow this all the way back to Gowerton, where the ride rejoins the Clyne Valley cycle path back to start. Start and end at Dunvant RFC
Highlights: The climb up to and descent from Bettws Mountain and the surrounding views.

Distance: 39 miles
Ascent: 3834 feet

GPX File: betws_mountain_recky.gpx