Mountain Bike Trails
Top Routes
Allt Nant-y-Ci
Allt Nant-y-Ci is located near the village of Saron, just west of Ammanford. The quiet wooded areas of the park are perfect for peaceful strolls, and there is an off-road bike trail with ramps and chicanes for the more adventurous. Bird watchers will appreciate the bird hide, tucked away in a tranquil corner of the park. On a warm sunny day the grasslands at Allt Nant-y-Ci are one of the best places in Carmarthenshire to watch butterflies and dragonflies.
Grade: Ungraded, but if it was graded it would be Green – Easy
Length: Main track approx. 800m, cycle track approx. 350m
Bike: Mountain bikes and hybrid mountain / road bikes, bikes with knobbly tyres!
Trailhead: Main car park
Refreshments: There is a good selection of cafes and pubs in Ammanford, Capel Hendre and Tir-y-dail.
Crychan Forest
Crychan Forest has always been popular with walkers and horse riders, the vast forest, beautiful huge trees, wildlife and great views all make the forest a favourite. Now you can enjoy the forest from your bike, with a number of cycling routes all suitable for families looking for off-road riding in a stunning location.
Choose from five varied routes which you can join from either of the four forest car parks:
Grade: Ungraded but if it was graded it would be Green – Easy
Length: 4km – 14km
•Brynffo - Esgair Fwyog - 7.1km
•Golygfa Epynt - 13.5km
•Cwm Coed Oeron - 12.8km
•Allt Troedrhiwfer - 4km
•Allt Troedrhiwfer - Golygfa Epynt link - 4.9km
Bike: Mountain bikes and hybrid mountain / road bikes, bikes with knobbly tyres!
Trailhead: All four Crychan Forest car parks.
Refreshments: Llandovery has a selection of great pubs and cafés.
For More Information: www.crychanforest.org.uk
Cwm Rhaeadr Forest
Cwm Rhaeadr Forest in the upper Tywi Valley near Rhandirmwyn and Llandovery is one of Carmarthenshire’s hidden secrets. The Cwm Rhaeadr Mountain Biking Trail delivers a 6.7km red graded quality singletrack riding, including a descent over a rocky ridge, along with stunning views over the scenic valley and waterfall.
Named after the waterfall in the forest, Cwm Rhaeadr has gained a reputation for fast riding and great views. The route begins with a 2.5km gentle forest road climb, until you emerge at the head of the valley, from here admire the waterfall and catch your breath before you charge downhill along the technical singletrack that winds its way through the forest. There’s singletrack, turns, jumps and drop offs as you fly through the trees on the 3.5km downhill route. Although a short route, it’s well worth a ride, the magazines all like it, with great reviews. Ride it twice if you want a longer route.
Grade: Red – Difficult
Length: 6.7km
Bike: Quality mountain bikes only
Trailhead: Cilycwm
Refreshments: Neuadd Arms in Cilycwm
For More information: Natural Resources Wales
Llyn Llech Owain
A superb country park set around a historical and mythological lake, known for its wildlife. There are paths and a children’s play park but also a mountain biking and cycling route around the lake. It’s a short route but has great views. An on-site café provides refreshments and there is ample parking.
Grade: Ungraded, but if it was graded it would be Green – Easy
Bike: Mountain bikes and hybrid mountain / road bikes, bikes with knobbly tyres!
Length:
Trailhead: Country park car park
Refreshments: Llyn Llech Owain has an on-site café, nearby Gorslas and Cross Hands also has a selection of pubs and cafes / restaurants.
For More information:
Pembrey Country Park
A great country park with a large forest and an eight-mile long golden sandy beach. The forest has numerous bike tracks and cycleways all suitable for families. Bike Hire is available on site at the Ski Centre.
Grade: Ungraded but if it was graded it would be Green – Easy
Bike: Mountain bikes and hybrid mountain / road bikes, bikes with knobbly tyres!
Trailhead: Country park car park
Refreshments: There are food and drink facilities in the park and nearby Pembrey village, Burry Port and Kidwelly have a selection of great pubs and cafes.
Brechfa Forest
The Brechfa Forest is one of Carmarthenshire’s best kept secrets with its dramatic views and deep river valleys for fantastic mountain biking.
The Gorlech Trail is made up of three big climbs and descents stretching over its 19km. More experienced riders can test their skills on the formidable black graded Raven Trail whilst the Derwen Trail is the perfect starting point for families and novices.
Facilities / refreshments:
There are free car parks with picnic and BBQ facilities. The Black Lion pub, Abergorlech just round the corner from the car park services those riding the Gorlech trail. In Byrgwm car park there is The Shed café for those riding the Raven or Derwen Trails. There is also the nearby Forest Arms in Brechfa.
Getting there: Abergorlech is on the B4310 some 10 miles north east of Carmarthen and 8 miles north of Llandeilo.
Raven Trail
Brechfa’s black graded Raven Trail has gained a fearsome reputation, designed by Rowan Sorrel and Brian Rumble, its sure to please the most extreme rider. The Raven will test all your skills, with singletrack, fast descents between the trees, jumps and berms as the trail takes you into the lesser known areas of the forest. Massive trees tower over you as you fly through the forest, with clearings offering great views over the surrounding countryside. Its graded black for a reason!
Grade: Black – Severe
Length: 18.5km
Bike: Quality mountain bike
Trailhead: Byrgwm
Gorlech Trail
The red graded Gorlech Trail is named after the picturesque stream that runs through Brechfa forest, yet don’t let the nice name put you off! There are great views and huge trees, but the Gorlech Trail delivers on all fronts, you have the location, but you also have the technical brilliance of the trail itself. The Gorlech Trail is hard, fast, and great in all weathers, the singletrack, berms, switchbacks and tabletops all test your full arsenal of skills, and that’s before you take on the final descent! But you don’t have to believe us, just look at the reviews!
Grade: Red – Difficult
Length: 19km
Bike: Quality mountain bike
Trailhead: Abergorlech
Derwen Trails
The two Derwen Trails offer something special! A family mountain biking route for the more adventurous family! The trail is graded green (easy) with a section of blue graded (moderate) route too. The routes are suitable for families that have some mountain biking and cycling experience, the green trail will ease you in while the blue addition will be slightly more challenging. The green Derwen Trail is 9.2 km long while the blue is 4.7km long, a total of 13.9km if you ride both. Unlike other green trails Brechfa’s Derwen Trail isn’t all on forest roads, there are singletrack sections sculpted into the Oak forest, the steady climbs, fun descents and twists and turns will give you a real introduction to the challenges of mountain biking without being too challenging! There are also great spots to stop and take in the view and even a picnic table or two. Bring the family, start on the green route and progress to the blue.
Grade: Green – Easy and Blue - Moderate
Length: Green 9.2km, Blue 4.7km
Bike: Mountain bikes and hybrid mountain / road bikes, bikes with knobbly tyres!
Trailhead: Byrgwm