GRAEAN CYMRU
6th & 7th September 2025 | Llyn Brenig
Route
105km | 1,915m
Medium Route
49km | 800m
Route
105km | 1,915m
OVERVIEW
NEED TO KNOW
The route
accommodation
PACKING LIST
FAQs
GRAEAN CYMRU: OVERVIEW
The UCI Gravel World Series comes back to Wales! One of the final qualifiers for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships in Nice, take on this epic 110km course in beautiful North Wales.
Started on the shores of Llyn Brenig, this ride includes a loop of the reservoir before heading onto the smooth gravel roads of Clocaenog Forest with a few punchy climbs and fast, flowing sections before a unique 1km finish straight by the reservoir – one of the most picturesque finishes in the World Series.
*Sat 6th Sep – Elite Women, men aged 50+ and all women
Sun 7th Sep – Elite men and men aged 19-49
All riders do two laps of this course (total 105km) except men 65+ and women 60+ that do one lap (53km)
** Please note – the route is in a beautiful & remote part of North Wales and as a result, parking is very limited. Parking for the race must be purchased with your entry (in the checkout). We would really appreciate it if you can ride to the start, get dropped off or share a lift.
RACE HIGHLIGHTS
- The premier gravel race in Wales
- Closed road / trail racing on the epic gravel of Clocaenog Forest
- One of the most picturesque finishes of the UCI Gravel World Series with a 1km finish straight on the shores of Llyn Brenig.
KNOW BEFORE YOU RACE
Qualify for the uci world champs
As per the official qualification system for the 2025 UCI Gravel World Championships, each UCI Gravel World Series event grants qualification rights for the UCI Gravel World Championships for those riders finishing in the first 25% of their category. The 25% is calculated based on the number of starters in each category, and not on the number of riders who finish.
STARTING GRIDS & ELITE RIDERS
You will be starting in age groups based on your age on Dec 31st 2025.
Elite riders from a UCI registered team must always take part in the elite category. Elite riders with a national level license have the choice to start in the elite category or in their respective age groups but must make that choice prior to the race.
Riders signing up for the elite category can only qualify for the elite category at the UCI Gravel World Championships. Riders signing up for the age group categories can only qualify for the age group categories at the UCI Gravel World Championships. If a rider who started with the elites didn’t qualify in the elite category, they can’t claim qualification in his age group if their finish time would be within the top 25% of his age category.
A REMOTE ROUTE A REAL MIX
The route starts and finishes at Llyn Brenig (approx 30 mins from Ruthin.
Large parts of the route are remote with no phone signal.
The race is two laps of a 53km course going around the reservoir (Llyn Brenig) and then a long & rolling section in Clocaenog Forest.
Expect a mix of terrain and a few sections of singletrack among the wider gravel fire roads.
PARKING & REGISTRATION
You can collect your race number either the day before or just before your race at Llyn Brenig Visitors Centre.
Due to the remote location of the ride, parking is very limited. You can book a parking space at the visitors centre when you book your race entry.
The podium and race village is at Llyn Brenig Visitor Centre (Cerrigydrudion, Conwy LL21 9TT) where there are toilets, a mechanic stand, bike wash & food options.
There will be one feed stop on the route (58km) and several points along the route with mechanics & paramedics to support our riders.
Included in Entry
Fully Signed Route
Our team work tirelessly to create the best gravel routes in the UK. All courses are fully signed so you can just enjoy the ride.
Checkpoints with Proper Food
An epic ride deserves proper support. We have tea, coffee and cake at the first feed and sandwiches & crisps at the main feed. Checkpoints are approx every 30 - 35km
Accurate GPX Files
A few days before the ride, we will send GPX files for all of the route options so you can follow the course on your GPS as well as the signs.
Mechanics Available
At the rider village & at selected feed stops we have mechanics available to help with any bike issues. We also have spare inner tubes, CO2 & more .
Rider Support Vans
We are here to make sure you have a great day on the gravel. If you have any major mechanicals or need collecting, support vehicles are a phone call away.
Beer at Finish Line
You will be greeted at the finish line with a beer & food available from our food truck. Perfect to chat about your day with fellow riders.
EVENT PROGRAM
23rd Aug: Rider lists published and final route details sent out.
5th Sept – 3 to 7pm: Race village at Llyn Brenig Visitors Centre opens. Collect your ride number for Saturday or Sunday’s races.
6th September – 8am: Site opens. You can collect your ride number for Saturday’s race on the morning.
6th September – 9am – 10am: Elite Women, men age groups over 50 & all women age groups. Pens open at 9am, start times from 10am.
7th September – 8am: Site opens. You can collect your ride number for Saturday’s race on the morning.
7th September – 9am – 10am:Elite Men and men’s age categories up to 49. Pens open at 9am, start times from 10am.
THE ROUTE
Starting on the shores of Llyn Brenig, we have a short (1km) neutral start to get out of the visitor centre and then head off around the reservoir.
Fairly soon into the circuit there is some singletrack and a short climb before a long flat section along the reservoir and then we head into the forest at 14km.
As soon as we turn away from the reservoir there is a punchy 1.5km climb and all of the 42km in Clocaenog Forest is up and down. At 56km we head back onto the reservoir for a 1km section across the dam which will be the finishing straight on the second lap.
There is a feed stop just after the visitor centre (59km) as well as drink stations positioned at the edge of the reservoir & another in the forest.
Percentage of Route Off Road: 99%
Distance:
113km
Elevation:
2071m
THE LOCAL AREA
Our ride takes us into two counties – Denbighshire & Conwy.
This is a beautiful part of Wales with excellent options for all types of cycling (road, MTB, gravel & a velodrome coming soon to Ruthin). More info on cycling options HERE.
There are also plenty of choices for great hikes in the area. This is a great resource for local hikes HERE.
The north coast is just over 30 mins away with sandy beaches and ancient castles. The nearby market towns of Denbigh & Ruthin are also definitely worth a visit.
Llyn Brenig itself has plenty of things to do for non-riders. The visitor centre has info on local walks, watersports & attractions nearby.
ACCOMMODATION
Come for the race, stay for the warm local hospitality and beautiful countryside!
There are plenty of hotels & campsites in nearby Ruthin including:
Lyons Woodlands Hall Hotel & Caravan Park
LOCAL RESIDENTS
We are very proud to bring this world class event to Denbighshire and have worked hard with the local authorities to maximise the benefit to the community & minimise the inconveniences.
If you have a local business you would like us to promote to our visiting riders or you want to learn more about the schedule for the day road closures, please complete this form and we will get back to you asap.
Bike Selection & Packing List
Bike Choice: The route is designed for gravel bikes with 99% of the route being off road.
Tyre Choice: We will send an update on conditions closer to the ride. The gravel is mostly smooth throughout so a fast rolling or all rounder 35mm to 40mm tyre should be ideal.
Packing List: Bring equipment to be self sufficient on the route (inner tubes, sealant, multi-tool, pump or CO2, foil blanket etc).
Clothing: Likely to be fresh at this time of the year particularly early morning so layer up accordingly. Helmets are mandatory, you will not be able to ride without one.
FAQs
Registration is at Llyn Brenig Visitor’s Centre where the race starts & finishes.
You can collect your race number on Friday between 3pm and 7pm or from 8am on the morning of your race.
We will show live results on the big screen in the ride village as soon as you finish.
We will have an indication of who has qualified in the afternoon but this is only confirmed when you get your official results and invitation to the Worlds directly from the UCI which will be on the Tues, Wed or Thurs after the race.
Llyn Brenig Visitor’s Centre is 12 miles (20 mins) from Denbigh and 18 miles (30 mins) from Ruthin.
If you can share a lift, ride of get dropped off that would be most appreciated. We have parking available (book this in the checkout when you get your entry) and we will send out a guide of street and off street parking in the local area.
Come to Llyn Brenig Visitor’s Centre and you can watch the start, finish and the riders come through after lap one.
There are a couple of viewing points in the Forest but please note the trails will be closed for the race.
The ride village is at Llyn Brenig Visitor’s Centre right on the water.
There is a cafe on-site and there will be a number of exhibitors from leading bike brands. On the water there is paddleboarding & kayaking and on land there is an adventure playground for the kids and some nice walking trails nearby.
We get riders coming from all over the world for this race and for many people, it’s their first time in this glorious country.
There are lots of excellent spots within 1hr for gravel or MTB, we will send out a guide with GPX routes in Eryri National Park, Llandegla & The Cambrian Mountains. Off the bike, check out the stunning beaches of the West Coast, the castles or the amazing hiking trails North Wales offers.