The Wye Divide: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The Gravel Route of The Wye Divide is a big loop from Rogerstone near Newport up into the Wye Valley and through the Welsh-English borderlands, with around 2,000 metres of climbing on forestry tracks, riverside trails and quiet lanes. It is not a race but a challenge you ride in one day or as a two-day bikepacking trip.
Course & Elevation
Start and finish is the Tiny Rebel Brewery in Rogerstone. After a flat opening on the edge of Newport, the first steep climb comes at kilometre 18, about seven percent for almost two kilometres. The route then stays in hilly Monmouthshire before dropping into the Wye Valley from around kilometre 55.
The middle section switches several times between the river and the heights above it, with climbs of three to four kilometres at five percent around kilometres 42 and 64. The organiser names Tintern, Redbrook and Clearwell as waypoints, along with gravel stretches by the Wye and hidden forest valleys.
The last third is a different day: from Chepstow the route crosses the almost sea-level plain along the Severn back to Newport, flat and often exposed to the wind. Checkpoints, feed stations and GPS tracking accompany the ride.
Pacing Strategy
The route is long enough that your pacing over the first 100 kilometres decides the day. Ride the climbs in Monmouthshire and above the Wye at endurance effort, including the steep one at kilometre 18, which comes early and invites overcooking.
The decisive section is the up and down between the river and the ridges in the middle. None of those climbs is hard on its own, but together they take the most out of you. Eat and drink regularly before you feel hungry or thirsty.
The trap is at the end: the flat plain after Chepstow looks easy, but on tired legs and into a headwind it can drag on. If you still have a steady cadence there, you paced the day well.
Training plan for The Wye Divide: 12-week build
As a one-day ride the route means eight to eleven hours in the saddle for most riders; as a two-day trip, two long days with luggage. The effort is mostly aerobic, with many short, hard climbs on loose ground.
The foundation is long rides of five to seven hours, ideally on gravel and over rolling terrain, where you also practise your fuelling.
Technically, forestry tracks, riverside paths and bridleways ask for confident riding on changing surfaces. Practise seated climbing on loose ground so the rear wheel keeps traction, and controlled descending on gravel.
If you ride the two-day version, do at least one ride on a fully loaded bike beforehand. In July the valleys can be warm and the plain windy, so plan clothing and water accordingly.
Course Map
Profile Parameters
Slope Distribution
Climbs on Route
| Start (km) | Length | Ø Gradient | Max Gradient | Elev Gain | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KM 15.6 | 1.8 km | 4.1% | 8.3% | +72m | — |
| KM 17.7 | 1.8 km | 7.1% | 10.7% | +129m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 41.9 | 3.5 km | 4.7% | 9.2% | +166m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 49.8 | 1.8 km | 3.9% | 6.1% | +71m | — |
| KM 64.3 | 3.6 km | 5.2% | 9.5% | +191m | Cat. 3 |
| KM 68.9 | 1.5 km | 5.3% | 9.0% | +79m | — |
| KM 100.7 | 2.4 km | 3.7% | 7.8% | +89m | Cat. 4 |
| KM 125.6 | 1.1 km | 7.0% | 10.1% | +77m | — |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Course as GPX
Download the Gravel Route course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Adaptive race preparation
Let YOUB adapt your plan for The Wye Divide dynamically
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
Frequently asked questions
How long is The Wye Divide?
The Wye Divide is 181.86 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does The Wye Divide have?
The Wye Divide has around 2,028 m of elevation gain over 181.86 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of The Wye Divide?
The Wye Divide is classified as Rolling, averaging 12 vertical metres per kilometre. 36% of the route is flat, 32% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 1% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does The Wye Divide have?
The hardest climb of The Wye Divide starts at kilometre 64.3, runs for 3.7 km at an average of 5.2% and gains 191 metres. Cycling-convention rating: Cat. 3. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is The Wye Divide a loop course?
Yes, The Wye Divide is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the The Wye Divide course?
Yes. The The Wye Divide course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for The Wye Divide?
Preparation for The Wye Divide should account for 181.86 km, 2,028 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for The Wye Divide?
The pacing strategy for The Wye Divide should reflect 181.86 km, 2,028 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does The Wye Divide 2027 take place?
The Wye Divide 2027 takes place on July 10, 2027.
Where does The Wye Divide 2027 take place?
The Wye Divide 2027 takes place in Rogerstone, Newport, United Kingdom.
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