CAERPHILLY MOUNTAIN

CAERPHILLY

Mountain Road out of Caerphilly may not compare to the many great mountain passes across Wales, but in the densely populated area around Cardiff and Newport it offers a significant test for the cyclists who regularly ride it. There are other ways to reach this peak, too. The A469 out of Cardiff has a few wickedly steep spots, but it’s a horribly busy road. There’s also the much quieter Wenallt Road, which also heads north. But the best way to ride this mountain is south out of Caerphilly up the B4623. It’s an uncomplicated road; you begin outside the train station and head straight up through the outskirts of the small town. The gradient is all but uniform the whole way up, which makes it a proper grind, and reaches its steepest point shortly before a large parking area on your left. Keep pushing on; the road bends gently right then finally steep left to finish at the Caerphilly Mountain Snack Bar.