Mountain Bike Trails

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. 

Getting there: Abergorlech is on the B4310 some 10 miles north east of Carmarthen and 8 miles north of Llandeilo.

For More information: Natural Resources Wales

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

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

Opened in Spring 2024, Hafod Trails are in Hafod Wen on the edge of Brechfa Forest.

The Hafod trails are targeted at a mix of abilities, with 5 trails, ranging from Green to Black, with 100 metres of vertical drop in total (so not huge), catering to families, established riders, and even enduro races, with trails boasting a mixture of flow and tech, with a natural off-piste feel.

All the trails are accessed by a super-efficient uplift service, with easy to load trailers taking you right to the top, so it's all downhill from there!

Jumps are planned for the future but you won’t find anything purpose designed to get air off, besides doubling up rollers or using the natural features to send it. It’s also very much a bike park dedicated to kids and families, after all that’s where it all began for Hafod, which really grew up in response to the bigger bike parks.

Hafod Trails currently open Friday through Sunday and Bank Holidays (pre-booking only) with uplift services to take riders up to the top of the trails by truck, running 10am – 4pm. The price to ride starts at £20 (u15s), and alongside the Trails, the site will offer locally sourced, homecooked food throughout opening hours, giving bikers the opportunity to relax and take a break in between rides.

Grade: new-rider friendly green to experienced black

Refreshments: On site

Bike: One that is suitable for your ability and the trails that you are riding

For More Information: www.hafodtrails.co.uk

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.

For More information: www.pembreycountrypark.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!

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: www.pembreycountrypark.wales

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