Mountain Biking
It all started in the Coed y Brenin Forest Park way back in the 1990s. Modern mountain biking in Britain was born here when a bunch of enthusiasts created the first purpose-built singletrack trails.
And how it has grown. Coed y Brenin is now home to around 90 miles of routes. Just like cycling on the road, they cater for all abilities. Macho riders make for the 24-mile Beast of Brenin (think of it as a ‘black’ run in skiing terms), while mellow, laid-back riders prefer the five-mile Yr Afon ‘green’ trail.
There’s even a trail for young children and riders with disabilities – and everyone looks forward to rounding the day off with cakes and coffee in the visitor centre’s café.
Blaenau Ffestiniog, the former ‘slate capital of the world’, has put those slate mountains to very good use by creating the Antur ’Stiniog mountain biking centre. It has received rave reviews from downhill addicts. ‘An awesome trail centre’ and ‘A brilliant addition to the North Wales MTB scene’ are typical comments from breathless bikers.
There’s more world-class mountain biking at Penmachno Forest and Mynydd Hiraethog. To find more about mountain biking in centres in other parts of North Wales to go www.mbwales.com
Mountain Biking Centres
Antur Stiniog
Blaenau Ffestiniog LL41 3NB
www.anturstiniog.com
Coed y Brenin
Dolgellau LL40 2HZ
www.naturalresource.wales/coed-y-brenin-forest-park
Gwydir Forest
Betws y Coed
www.facebook.com/GwydirMTBtrails/
Dyfi Trails
Machynlleth SY20 8AY
www.dyfimountainbiking.org.uk