We’ve got mountains of mountains. Our landscape of skyscraping summits and steep valleys is the perfect playground for adventurous riders. Our natural assets have been augmented by specially-designed trails, tracks and centres that make discovering our stellar cycling scene quick and easy. Here's a few ideas where to free your wheels, but if you want info covering all aspects of mountain biking in Wales, head to Mountain Bike Wales experts.
Afan Forest Park, Neath Valley
From single swoops to wide rocky roads, test your nerves in the saddle across Afan Forest Park’s more than 80 miles of track within this easily-accessible forest park. Look out for the bone-shaking Skyline Trail, which offers hundreds of metres of highs and lows, and the specially-built, multi-purpose White's Level Trail. Explore the tracks from either the Afan Forest Visitor Centre or the Glyncorrwg Ponds Mountain Bike Centre, both equipped with cafés and bike hire.
Antur Stiniog, Blaenau Ffestiniog
It’s all about downhill action at Antur Stiniog. This adrenaline-filled centre of cycling excellence within the former slate-mining town is the place to roll, rattle and rock over steep swoops and tricky terrains. No need to worry about cycling uphill. A speedy uplift service whizzes you to the top of Antur Stiniog’s network of seven rocky trails, so you can save all your energy for the breathtaking descents.
Penmachno Trails, Eryri (Snowdonia)
The Penmachno Trails are managed by a passionate community group and serve up a cycling journey you're unlikely to forget. Stretching for 19 miles, these two looping trails rise and swoop at the sort of angles that might just make you momentarily forget their awe-inspiring views across Eryri (Snowdonia). Once you’ve hit the trails, try the bike-friendly Eagles pub in Penmachno village for a well-earned breather.
Coed Llandegla, Wrexham
Coed Llandegla's incredibly popular set of runs snake through a 650-hectare site of hills and forest, offering four types of trails colour-coded from family friendly green up to challenging black. The shorter trails will keep you guessing and test your fitness, while the longer ones are full of technical tests and scintillating steep drops.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian, Aberystwyth
Sitting high in the mountains just inland from Aberystwyth, Bwlch Nant yr Arian boasts long purpose-built single-tracks designed to test experienced riders. Challenging rides like the 22-mile Syfydrin trail serve up spectacular scenery alongside cycling thrills, with dizzying views of the Cambrian Mountains and Cardigan Bay.
BikePark Wales, Merthyr Tydfil
South Wales’ biggest and best purpose-built downhill riding centre, BikePark Wales serves up dozens of thrilling trails for riders of every level. Experienced bikers can tackle the giant leaps of Enter the Dragon and rocket along Vicious Valley, while newbies can find their feet on the Badger’s Run. There’s also an uplift service, cosy café and well-stocked bike shop.
Brechfa, Carmarthenshire
Choose one of three rides at Brechfa, all allowing you to see the best of this beautiful forest. For the inexperienced, the Derwen trail is named after the oak woodland it journeys through. The harder Gorlech route runs on an all-weather surface, and the Raven run tests your skills on testing corners.
Further information
Search for mountain bike centres in Wales via our activity database.
For more detailed information about mountain biking in Wales, please see Mountain Bike Wales.