Mountains of the Merfynion

Mountains of the Merfynion – Abergavenny, United Kingdom

• Date: August 2028

• Location: Llwyn Celyn, near Abergavenny, United Kingdom

• Distances: ~700 km (~14,000 m climbing)

• Event Type: Self-supported bikepacking challenge / multi-day gravel route

Mountains of the Merfynion is a self-supported bikepacking ride that completes a loop of Wales starting and finishing at Llwyn Celyn, a medieval farmstead in the Llanthony Valley near Abergavenny. The route spans roughly 700 kilometres with approximately 14,000 metres of elevation gain. The breakdown is roughly 65 percent tarmac and 35 percent off-road, navigating forestry gravel, grassy ridges, rocky bridleways, singletrack, and fords. Riders have a five-day time limit to complete the circuit.

The route travels through several key regions across Wales. Leaving the foothills of the Black Mountains, riders pass through the South Wales Valleys into Bannau Brycheiniog via The Tumble, moving along ridge trails near Talybont Reservoir and the Devil's Elbow with gravel sections along Sarn Helen. From Llandovery, the course enters the Western Cambrians and reservoir gravel tracks, including Claerwen and a ford crossing before Nant-y-Moch. It then drops to Machynlleth and tracks toward Eryri via coastal ridges, passes, and forestry roads around Cregennan and the Mawddach estuary. Leaving Eryri past Bala and the Hirnant Pass, riders navigate heather-covered tracks and wind-farm service roads into the Eastern Cambrians before tackling a final ascent over the Black Mountains back to the finish line.

Entry is strictly capped at 40 participants on a first-come basis. Field support adheres to standard unsupported bikepacking principles: riders may only use commercial services accessible to all participants. Mandatory equipment includes a bivvy bag, a sleeping bag or hooded down jacket, and a working mobile phone. Recommended tyre widths sit between 40 and 50 mm.

Participant entries include GPS live tracking managed via Follow My Challenge, media coverage on DotWatcher, an event GPX file and rider manual issued six to eight weeks beforehand, a numbered cotton cycling cap, and a finisher t-shirt. The base camp bunkhouse at Llwyn Celyn remains available all week, offering riders bunks, showers, and a hot meal upon return. Further details and future edition announcements can be found on the official event website.