Mountain Biking

Y Slab on Tarw Du

A short drive takes you to the mountain biking mecca that is Coed y Brenin. CyB was the first forest in the UK to develop a purpose built mtb trail centre and offers an ever increasing network of purpose built, all weather trails. Here you will find a range of routes to suit all abilities from wide paths suitable for novices to technical and challenging singletrack for the more seasoned rider. The forest offers a gorgeous setting for your ride, surrounded by the smells, sounds and sights of the deep forest. Facilities include plenty of parking (charges apply), cafe, toilets, bike wash, bike shop with bike hire and more.

Find more info at: www.beicsbrenin.co.uk

For the adrenaline fuelled downhill rider, Antur Stiniog offers an amazing uplift assisted day out. Located in Blaenau Ffestiniog and surrounded by the rugged landscape of the slate mines, you will find fourteen gravity fed mountain biking trails graded from green to black. You will also find a great cafe to keep you fuelled up, bike hire and options for skills coaching. Trails are accessed by the uplift service only.

Find out more and book uplift at: www.anturstiniog.com

Spectacular views from Dolen Machno

The Penmachno trails are the hidden gem of North Wales. Very remote, natural feeling singletrack with spectacular views. There are two loops that can be ridden individually or as one long 30km loop. Dolen Machno is 19km and Dolen Eryri is 11km. The trails are managed and maintained by a local volunteer community group, Mentor Bro Machno. Pay your dirt at the donation box in the car park located at the trail head.

Find more info at: www.penmachnobiketrails.org.uk

Descending Snowdon Ranger at sunset

Getting you and your bike to the top of Wales’ highest peak and back down again is an experience you’ll never forget. The two main paths to use are the Llanberis path (ascend/descend) and the Ranger path (descend), with the latter being the harder of the two. You need to be a competent and experienced rider with the riding difficulty being black and double black respectively. The weather can be unpredictable so it’s important to treat the mountain with the respect it deserves; plan for the worst and make sure someone knows where you are. Take some time to plan your ride and you’ll find the rewards are well worth the effort. It is worth noting that cycling to or from the summit of Snowdon is out of bounds for cyclists between 10.00am to 5.00pm from 1st May – 30th September.

Find more info at: http://www.walkupsnowdon.co.uk/mountain-biking-up-snowdon/

The Gwydir Forest is the home to some mega off piste riding as well as the better known way- marked trails of Gwydir Mawr (long) and Gwydir Bach (short). The Gwydir Mawr trail is one of the ‘musts’ of north Wales for any serious mountain biker. The trail is a true classic with big climbs, big descents, singletrack and fabulous views of the mountains of Snowdonia along the way. Most of the climbs are on forest roads and tracks with the descents on singletrack. The singletrack varies from very tight, technical and rocky to open and flowing, from dark forest to exposed ridgelines. The trail is 25km long and climbs to 450m. It incorporates the shorter Gwydir Bach trail, which can be completed in isolation if you’re short on time, with both trails finishing on one of the most grin inducing descents in the area.

Looking across the Dyfi valley

The Dyfi forest is an increasingly popular destination for mountain biking as the stomping ground of the legendary Atherton family. Here you will find a large network of off piste trails, the way- marked Climachx trail as well as Dyfi Bike park for uplift assisted adventures. With the Climachx trail boasting the longest descent in north Wales and a range of trails from mellow and flowing to steep and gnarly, the forest is well worth a visit.

Find more info at: www.ridedyfi.co.uk/ride/#riding-spots