Devil’s Elbow Ystradfellte from Sainsbury’s SA1, Swansea

Devil’s Elbow Ystradfellte
Grade 3D. Start adjacent to Sainsburys café at Swansea Marina.
Cross at pedestrian crossing to take the No:43 cycle path along the river Tawe to Glais.
Take Ynys-y-Mond road to Alltwen, then rejoin the Swansea valley cycle path to Ystalyfera.
Follow the B4599 around to the centre of Ystradgynlais.
Turn right by Greggs bakery onto station road, then left onto Gorsafle where we rejoin cycle path 43 to Caehopkin.
From here we drop down to Abercraf and follow the A4067 to Craig-y-nos Country park for a coffee break. The gradient starts to increase as we climb to Crai with spectacular views over the reservoir and the surrounding Brecon Beacons.
We turn right heading to Heol Senni and then take the right turn along the road that leads to the Devil’s elbow. As soon as you pass the cattle grid you are on the climb. The road climbs 184m (604 ft) in 1.1 miles. The average gradient is 10.1% and reaches 14.4% at the steepest 100m.
We will stop to enjoy a well earned packed lunch at the summit and take in the views before taking the long fast descent into Ystradfellte.
We will continue to Pontneddfechan through “waterfall country” and then Glynneath.
From here we will pass through Aberdulais, Neath Abbey, Skewen and Jersey marine. We will then follow cycle route 4 along Fabian way back to Swansea Marina.
Distance: 58 miles
Ascent: 3300 feet

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