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- Overview
- About Us
- Routes
- A-Around Blaenavon Routes
- B- Gwent Valley Routes
- C-Around Abercarm
- D- North of Pontyrpidd
- E- South of Pontypridd
- F- West of Pontypridd
- G- Around Caerphilly
- H- Around Merthyr
- J- Bwlch & Rhigos Routes
- K- Neath & Glyncorrwg
- L-Black Mountains
- M- Llantrisant area
- N- Port Talbot & Swansea
- O- Brecon Beacons
- P- West Wales
- Q- Mid Wales
- R- around Llandovery
- S- Mynydd Epynt
- T- Train and Bike
- U- Welsh Borders.
Q1-Elan valley- full circuit
GRADE- HARD- A long ride mostly off road on grassy tracks with some big hills.
Highlights- fantastic grassy trails, stunning views.
Distance 41.5kms.
START POINT- Elan Valley Visitor Centre. Parking charge but toilets and cafe.
As exiting Elan Valley Centre turn left across metal surfaced bridge and follow road L. Continue through village forking R over cattle grid and uphill to T-J turning R. Continue mostly uphill on tarmac and over next cattle grid to turn R and down following blue bridle route sign to gate. Through gate to climb steeply to next gate by some fir trees.
Through gate and up on track onto moorland. Start to descend and fork left following track to left of copse of trees following track through a number of small fords and climb up to gate. Through gate following track uphill and right along fence line (trees have been felled other side of fence) to another gate, through field and cross ford to another gate.
Through gate across field through another gate and ford, following track around hill and down through another ford and gates. Follow track to Llannerch Cawr and rejoin tarmac. immediately turn left on tarmac and right on tarmac to Rhiwnant farm. Through farm turning right through gate following main track. At fork keep R continuing up the Claerwen valley with stream on right. Through a succession of gates and small fords and through a few puddles of various depths on track. One large and deep puddle is best avoided especially if on ebike. This puddle appears connected to the stream! Continue along track until larger ford with Afan Arbon near the front of the Claerwen dam. There is a footbridge about 100m further up the Afan Arbon if the water is deep. Please walk this section.
Stunning views all around the circuit.
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Q2- Elan valley- short circuit
Distance 30.4kms.
Follow track to tarmac below Claerwen dam and Cerrigcwplau farm to cross Afon Claerwen. Follow road past public toilets down the valley ignoring tarmac road from left and follow to bridle route left at copse of fir trees. Short steep climb and follow track to cross river and steep push onto stone double track. Turn left up double track towards masts.
Just before masts carry SA onto grassy bridle route and down to bridle gate. Through bridle gate and follow single track turning to double track with sharp 90 bend L. Continue down track to forest road X-roads. Optionally SA to descend steeply on bridle route to road OR turn left on forest road to start of Llannerchi Blue or Red single track trails after approx 200m.
At road turn L and across viaduct to turn left on Route 81 (avoiding road). Follow R81 to end gate and cross road (effectively SA) onto smooth gravel track between 2 large stones.
Continue on R81 climbing on smooth gravel track to wide wooden gate. Through gate and continue along Penygarreg reservoir to gate by public toilets and car park above Graig Coch dam. Continue SA (ignoring tarmac road across dam) through bridle gate on good track alongside
long cyclable paths.
few rivers and falls to cross.
river and lake paths.
Q3 -elan valley- riverdance
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Q4-nant yr arian
Grade- hard- this is a long hard ride over moorland and undulating forestry with some big climbs.
Distance-34.9KM
Highlights- Some good single track through forestry. Spectacular views over moorland. Red Kite feeding at the start/finish point.
Start point- car park at Bwlch Yr Arian Visitor centre on the A44 near Aberystwyth.
Route- We followed the way marked Syfydrin route. Basically it climbs from the car park up through forestry to Llyn Syfydrin, then over some wonderful scenic moorland past Nant Y Moch reservoir and on to Elerich, before joining some mountain roads leading back to the forestry where there is some great single track.
This is a long hard ride over exposed moorland- so be prepared!. It is marked as a Black, or severe ride! There are other shorter routes way marked from the visitor centre, which are suitable for those looking for some fun single track without the long hard climbs.
After a rainy few days the main path can be wet but crystal clear water.
Be ware. Some of the mud and crossings can be muddy especially if you try to take a short cut!.
Some single track through the sun lit glades.
Q5- coed y brenin
Grade- hard. a long ride with several hard climbs and many stretches of difficult technical single track.
Distance- 36.1KM
Highlights- some amazing single track for the experienced. There are e-bikes for hire from the centre, which are well worth hiring for the day if you have never tried one before. They make this trail fun rather than grueling!!
Alternatives-There are many other way-marked trails from the visitor centre. Maps are available .
Start Point- Coed Y Brenin visitor centre on the A470 North from Dolgellau.
Route- From the visitor centre, look for the trail named "The Beast". This is way=marked, but can be tricky to find at some junctions, so we highly recommend buying a route map from the visitor centre. There are many sections of very technical single track. If you have not tried this before it is best to try the skills park at the visitor centre before starting out, or choosing one of the shorter rides. .
There are many shorter (and easier) routes to chose from, starting from easy family trails down the valley, to some of the trickiest single track you could wish for. If you come to a section which looks crazy, then it is best to get off your bike and walk until it looks manageable again.
This is 'The Beast'. A classic ride in the cycle park. Well maintained. some difficult parts but great on a full suspension.
A welcome respite. time for lunch and a rest.
Well manicured single track. Some great berms and dips through the forestry.
Great rugged descents. Let off your brakes, lower your seat and go for it!
Q6 Hundred house
Grade- hard. a long ride with several hard climbs .
Distance- 35.9 KM
Highlights- Good roads for the most part, with minor lanes and farm tracks over the mountains. Great views of Mid Wales
Start Point- Car Park in the middle of Hundred House village.
Park in car park on A481. Turn left towards New Radnor and Hundred House Inn on left. Turn R onto 'No through road' and Rhiw Farm climbing steeply.
Tarmac turns to stone track then grassy track up past the Giants Grave tumulus. Descend on grass track before a series of gates on farm track.
At fork of tracks keep left through more gates and track turns to tarmac. Descend to gate.
At T-Junction (T-J) turn right in Glascwm by Tel box and youth hostel
After 1 1/2 miles (descent and climb), on a sharp RH bend take the 1st road L signed Gregrina 1mile. At T-J at the bottom of the hill turn L 'Aberedw 5 1/2miles. Steep climb, crest hill and descend for 400m ignoring farm track on 1st left. Take next road L 'Rhulen 3/4'.
After 1 1/4miles fork L onto 'no through road' into 'Pentre' farm yard. passing red up arrow signifying way marked trail. After turning R around building, tarmac turns to track with a steep climb up to gate. Climb steeply up to Doctors Pool on left (little more than a shallow marsh).Keep on main track and RH at X roads. At T-J with tarmac on hairpin bend bear L downhill. As the track turns sharp left, carry SA crossing stream and uphill.
At T-J shortly after 'Ty Canol' stables turn L on tarmac road. At next T-J L 'Glascwm 1 1/2'. At X roads SA onto 'no through road' Tarmac turns to track. Go past 'New Cwmceste' farm on left. At the 2nd house 'Cwn Kesty' as the stone track turns sharp left go SA onto grassy track and through gate ahead. Along LH edge of field which joins a better track at the next gate. Continue on track through fords and gentle climbing to Llanwentre Pool. Through gates on main track, turn L on grassy double track and decend to gate. Through gate down to T-J on track. Turn L, track turns to tarmac at Foice Farm continue on tarmac to A481 with Llynheilyn pool on left.
On sharp RH bend turn L onto track by Llynheilyn pool. Through gate and turn R through 2nd gate on steep grassy track.
Descend to the R of tumulus to junction of tracks. Take the RH of the uphill tracks ahead (next track anticlockwise from the downhill track to the right)
Through two gates and alongside fence on the right. At the end of the fence continue in same direction across several fields eventually joining better tracks. Look out for red arrows indicating bridge way.
Join tarmac and continue downhill in same direction. At T-J with A481 L and follow track back to Hundred House.