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Bike Parks& MTBTrails
If you lovecycling you’lllove SE Wales.
The Interactive Map is a mine full of information. You will find hundredsof trails that cater for all cycling abilities, useful pointers for cafes andrestaurants, accommodation for overnight stays, interesting things tosee and do and bike shops for spares & repairs.
Cwmcarn Visitor Centre, Cwmcarn, Cross Keys NP11 7FA01495 272 001 [email protected]
www.cwmcarnforest.co.uk
Gethin Woodland Centre, Abercanaid, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1YZ07902 589955 [email protected]
www.bikeparkwales.com
Our online Interactive Map for useon desktop PC’s is the must-see guidefor anyone planning to exploreSouth East Wales on two wheels.Click on the icon to launch the map oruse the following link in your browser:
www.cyclewales.org
SE Wales
Eat & Drink See Stay Toilets Repairs
Plan your next cycling adventurewith our online Interactive Map
Bike Parkcontact
info
Our country could almost have been createdfor mountain biking. And in South East Waleswe have some of the best parks and trails in theworld for you to come and explore.
We already have several established purposebuilt bike parks that welcome thousands ofvisitors every year. And if you fancy a wanderinto the mountains you will find hundreds moremanaged forestry trails that will satisfy eventhe most experienced rider.
Planning your next adventure couldn’t beeasier - use our new online interactive map tohelp you explore our region by bike. Look outfor the NCN (National Cycle Network) routemarkers too - they’ll help take out some of theguesswork when getting around !
Great Llwygy Farm, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 7PE07779 243099 [email protected]
www.blackmountainscyclecentre.comIm
age © Natural Resources Wales
Whether you wantto stoke up on a fullEnglish before you
hit the trails, or sit andmentally replay the‘awesome-ness’ of
what you’ve just done,the café is a relaxingplace for something
to eat, a great coffee,or just chill and chat.
Click hereto launch theInteractive Map
You won’t fail to be impressed with the onsite shop atBike Park Wales. You’ll find everything from clothing,spares, repairs, custom tuning, even complete bikes.
The knowledgeable staff pride themselves ondelivering impeccable service and advice.
Bike Park Wales is the UK’s No 1 bike park. Carved intothe rugged mountainside within Gethin Woods nearMerthyr Tydfil, it has been five years in the making.Created ‘for riders by riders’, the Park boasts 29 purposebuilt trails and has something to offer everyone, fromcomplete beginners to more seasoned downhill pros.
You can pit your wits against the longest Blue descent inthe UK at Bike Park Wales - will it be ‘Beast Of Burden’ or‘Terry’s Belly’ ? Or why not try them both ? ? At a whopping4.6 km apiece, we don’t recommend both on the same day !
There is something for everyone at Bike Park Wales. All 29 trails arecolour coded to signify their level of difficulty - there are currently 2‘Green’ trails for beginners, 9 ‘Blue’ for intermediate, 7 ‘Red’ foradvanced riders and 9 ‘Black’ trails for the experts. There are also2 ‘Pro Lines’ that adjoin certain sections of some of the trails.
To experience thethrill of a downhill trail,
first you must get uphill -every rider wants to beas fresh as a daisy for
their two wheelgravity experiment,so naturally there is
an Uplift serviceavailable to book
from the bike lodge.
‘Insufficient Funds’ - 0.8km Advanced TrailImage © Szymon Nieborak
‘Enter The Dragon’ - 0.9km Expert TrailImage © Szymon Nieborak
‘Enter The Dragon’ - 0.9km Expert TrailImage © Szymon Nieborak
Bike Park Wales - Merthyr TydfilImage © Szymon Nieborak
Bike Park Wales - Merthyr TydfilImage © Szymon Nieborak
Bike Park Wales - Merthyr TydfilImage © Szymon Nieborak
Click hereto launch theInteractive Map
The Black Mountains Cycling Centre is set within thebackdrop of some of the most agriculturally rich
countryside in South East Wales - it was theinspiration for the unique Uplift service, obviously !
Located in the heart of the breathtaking naturalbeauty of the Black Mountains near Abergavenny,this cycle park is the latest addition to the purposebuilt MTB parks in SE Wales. The tracks have beenlovingly designed by Shaun Bevan to create a veryunique riding experience - so what are you waiting for?
If you crave the thrill of a whip or two, there are several tracks thatwill satisfy your hunger. Check out ‘Moto’ ( Red ) or ‘Full Moto’( Black ), ‘Bone Yard’, ‘Tidy Darts’ or ‘Rabbit Run’ for some highflying aerial action. You won’t be disappointed...
‘Full Moto’ is thebiggest jump line.
It begins with a stepdown double over aberm leading intoanother step down
followed by two fortyfoot tables. The trail
then narrows into a stepdown and step ending
with two big jumps.
‘Rabbit Run’ is a dirtrollercoaster which canbe used as a warm uptrail packed full of fun,
twisty, pumps andjumps. It is designedas an intermediate
trail but if ridden fastenough it opens up
for all abilities.
There are 6 Black Runs atthe centre, designed with
the more experiencedrider in mind. Each routeis packed full of berms,table tops, chutes andjumps. Some are fasterthan others, but every
one is guaranteed to getthe adrenaline pumping.‘Rabbit Run’- Blue Trail
Image © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
Image © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
‘Rabbit Run’- Blue TrailImage © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
Uplift ServiceImage © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
Image © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
‘Full Moto’- Black TrailImage © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
Image © Black Mountains Cycle Centre
Click hereto launch theInteractive Map
Cwmcarn’s ‘Y Mynydd’ downhill trail has recently beenjoined by new downhill track ‘Pedalhounds’, that startsoff in tight rooty woods with technical lines through thetrees and then flows down over some open jumps andfast, steep turns before dropping back into the woods,packed with swooping turns.
There is an ‘Uplift’ service available to riders atCwmcarn that you need to book at the Visitor Centre.Due to tree harvesting in the forest, the service may betemporarily unavailable on certain days and sectionsof the park. Check the website for latest details beforeyou plan your trip.
Fuel up or rechargeyour batteries after a
hard day’s ride atRavens Café locatedat the Visitor Centre.You’ll find hot & cold
meals, drinks andsnacks, toilets and
shower rooms for allthose riders who go
that extra mile.
Overnight staysare no problem at
Cwmcarn. It’s a 4 starVisit Wales gradedcampsite. We have
space for 18 caravansor tents, electric
hook ups, showers &toilets- and why not tryone of our 10 luxury
glamping pods ?
Cwmcarn Forest Park is ‘the’ destination for all downhilland cross country adrenaline junkies, and is less than a30 min drive from the Severn Bridge and the M4. It offersfour trails for the more experienced rider. Choose eitherthe naturally contouring ‘Cafall’ singletrack trail, or thelegendary ‘Twrch’ trail. These ‘Red’ graded trails demandevery ounce of skill and determination you can muster.
Put simply, the ‘Twrch Trail’ at Cwmcarn is 15.5 km of the finestpurpose built single track you will possibly have the pleasure of
riding. And if that wasn’t enough, there is the mighty ‘Y Mynydd’-two challenging ‘Red’ or ‘Black’ runs designed for experienced
riders only, packed full of berms, switch backs, doubles, a tunnel,rock steps, the bridge, hip jump and the quarry gap.
Cafall Trail, Cwmcarn Forest Park - Caerphilly
Uplift Service - Cwmcarn
Image © Natural Resources Wales
Cafall Trail, Cwmcarn Forest Park - CaerphillyImage © Natural Resources Wales
Glamping Pods - Cwmcarn Forest
Pedalhounds Trail, Cwmcarn Forest - CaerphillyImage © Natural Resources Wales
Café & Visitor Centre, Cwmcarn Forest Park - Caerphilly
There are literallyhundreds of mountain
routes around theValleys of SE Wales toexplore for yourself.
Routes vary in lengthand surface quality, butthey all share the samestunning scenery that is
a trademark of ourbeautiful biking region. Singletrack Trail - Merthyr Tydfil
Click hereto launch theInteractive Map
Located just north of Cwmbran, Blaen Brânis 100 acres of beautiful woodland managed bythe local community. The forest is criss-crossedwith gravel surfaced roads that are perfect for aless energetic ride through a wonderful area of
natural and historic interest.
The 500 acre Dare Valley Country Park makes a great basecampto discover many of the mountain and forestry trails of theCynon and Rhondda Valleys. There are 38 pitches available fortents or caravans (Apr-Sept) with electrical hook-ups, a facilitiesblock and a café. Just a short distance away you will discoversome of the best forestry rides in South East Wales.The NRW routes through St Gwynno Forest, Maerdy and Rhigosmountains are suitable for riders of all abilities - and don’t forgetto take some time to stop and be amazed at some incredibleviews from the top of the Valleys.
Darren Fawr in the Garw Valley near Bridgend has twosuperb trails for riders of all abilities - the blue ‘Glengarw’singletrack trail aimed at the intermediate rider and theblack ‘Gellideg’ trail for the more experienced rider.Both trails are approximately 3km in length so whencombined provide a fantastic 6km ride.
Celtic Trail ( High Level ) - Pontypridd to Neath
The ‘High Level’ route of NCN 47 between Pontypriddand Neath is the toughest section of the Celtic Trail, butwell worth it for the great views of the Brecon Beaconsand the Valleys below. The route snakes over moorlandand through plantations, crossing the mountains thatdivide the fabled industrial valleys of South East Wales.
Dare Valley Country Park - Aberdare
Darren Fawr - Garw Valley, Bridgend
Garwnant offers2 short trails that are
perfect for juniorriders or beginners.The ‘Green’ trail has
been designed forfirst-time riders,
and the ‘Blue’ trail forriders with a little bit
more confidencewanting to improve
their MTB skills.
Visit Wales have designated 2016 as the Wales 'Year of Adventure’.
As part of this, the 10 Local Authorities in South East Wales are working in partnership tobetter promote visitor attractions and products via the cycle route network in the region.The project is supported by Visit Wales of the Welsh Government through the Partnershipfor Growth Fund. This fund was established to help destinations across Wales promoteand develop the tourism offer, encouraging more people to visit Wales.
Garwnant - Nr Merthyr TydfilImage © Natural Resources Wales
Blaen Brân Woodland - CwmbranImage © Blaen Brân Community Woodland
