Wales plays host to some of the best mountain biking in the world and lays claim to the very first purpose-built trail centre in the UK, Coed-y-Brenin.
Trail centres provide all-weather riding, with many featuring hardpack and well-drained routes that suit a wide range of riding abilities.
Some trail centres will have on-site bike shops for day-saving fixes and cafes for post-ride cakes and coffees.
In this guide, we will bring you all the need-to-know information on what we consider to be Wales' best trail centres.
While this list is by no means comprehensive, it includes what we consider to be some of the best riding in Wales.
We also have guides to the best trail centres in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or at the beginning of your mountain biking journey, here are the best trail centres in Wales.
The best trail centres in Wales
- Afan Forest Park
- Antur Stiniog
- BikePark Wales
- Brechfa
- Coed Llandegla
- Coed-y-Brenin
- Cwmcarn
- Dirt Farm
- Dyfi Bike Park
- Nant Yr Arian
Afan Forest Park trail guide
Afan Forest Park is based across two trail centres and is around an hour's drive from Cardiff.
There are trails to suit all abilities, starting with the green-rated ‘Rookie’ trail that takes in sweeping descents and features a skills area to develop your riding.
The Afan Visitor Centre is the starting point for Blue Scar, Penhydd and Y Wãl. The second, at Glyncorrwg, is home to White’s Level and Blade.
At the more challenging end of the spectrum, is the long-distance black-rated W2 trail, which can be ridden from either trail centre with the other acting as a halfway cafe stop.
There is also a bike park area, which consists of five trails graded from blue to black, featuring berms and jumps.
What facilities are there at Afan Forest Park?
The Afan Visitor Centre features a bike shop, hire and repairs, as well as showers and a bike wash to clean you and your bike.
There is also a cafe for a post-ride brew and a museum dedicated to South Wales miners should you find the weather too extreme upon arrival.
The Afan A Blast Centre at Glyncorrwg also offers bike hire, servicing and repairs.
How to get to Afan Forest Park
Afan Forest Park can be accessed off the M4 motorway and is located between Cardiff and Swansea in South Wales.
- Afan Visitor Centre postcode: SA13 3HG
- Afan A Blast postcode: SA13 3EA
What are the trails like at Afan Forest Park?
The trails at Afan Forest Park mainly consist of all-weather singletrack and range in length from 7km to 40km.
Many of the trails thread through the trees, with others being more exposed on the open hillsides around the forest, offering views into the valleys below.
The more challenging trails feature more technical sections that include boardwalks, berms, jumps and drop-offs.
Rookie
Rookie is the beginner trail at Afan Forest Park, and features a wide and sweeping path in between fire-road sections. There is also a 2.6km blue-graded loop for those wanting to progress.
- Grade: Green
- Distance: 6.1km
- Estimated time: 0.5 to 2 hours
Blue Scar
Afan Forest Park describes Blue Scar as a real introduction to its trail network, with the trail looping around from the main visitor centre and returning down via the other side of the valley.
- Grade: Blue
- Distance: 7km
- Estimated time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Penhydd
Penhydd branches off from Blue Scar, continuing to climb further up the side of the valley. The trail features steep rocky sections and is twice the length of Blue Scar.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 14.4km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Blade
Blade takes in some of the park’s most technical sections, featuring various rock drops, berms and traverses.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 23km
- Estimated time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
White’s Level
White’s Level shares some of the same technical descents as Blade, but has the option to fork off to a black descent for more skilled riders.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 15km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Y Wâl (The Wall)
Y Wâl mainly consists of singletrack and takes in spectacular views of the surrounding scenery.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 23km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Skyline
Skyline offers spectacular views across the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountains and the South Wales coast. It’s the longest trail at the centre, rewarding your stamina with rocky singletrack and a 6km descent back to Glyncorrwg. There are shortcuts for those with less in the legs.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 46km
- Estimated time: 4 to 7 hours
W2
W2 links the Y Wâl and White's Level trails together, creating a longer loop that can be started from either centre. W2 is the only ‘black’ graded trail at Afan Forest Park.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 23km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Antur Stiniog trail guide
Nestled in the small mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog is Antur Stiniog, a dedicated bike park that offers 14 trail sections graded from green to black, snaking down the hillside opposite the huge slate quarry.
An uplift service on the purpose-built gravel road to the top offers up to 15 runs daily, collecting from the centre at the foot of the trails. It operates from Friday to Sunday.
Antur Stiniog has hosted the British Downhill Championship, which underlines how gnarly some of the trails are.
What facilities are there at Antur Stiniog?
Antur Stiniog caters for most things a mountain biker could want. The centre at the bottom of the hill includes a bike shop, hire and repair, as well as a cafe. There is also a power washer for cleaning your bike before taking it home.
Antur Stiniog benefits from being located next to Zip World – the longest zipline in Europe – so the cafe on that side of the car park can also be used.
How to get to Antur Stiniog
Antur Stiniog is located in Snowdonia, though technically not in the national park, and is accessed off the A470.
- Postcode: LL41 3NB
What are the trails like at Antur Stiniog?
The trails at Antur Stiniog are hard-packed with plenty of rocky sections cut into the mountainside and slab-paved sections.
Two trails can be accessed straight from the uplift, but a blue link trail takes you even higher up the hill to access lower-graded trails.
Antur Stiniog has plenty of jumps, berms and drops to look out for, but the trails cope well with the near-constant drizzle of the area and provide plenty of grip year-round.
There are plenty of trails to choose from for beginners and professionals alike.
Plug and Feathers
A beginner's trail that offers a good starting point into singletrack, with a spectacular view into the town below.
- Grade: Green
- Distance: 2km
- Estimate time: 5 to 10 minutes
Jumper
A downhill trail with plenty of twists, turns and tabletop jumps. The perfect trail to get used to the park.
- Grade: Blue
- Distance: 0.3km
- Estimated time: 3 minutes
Wild Cart
With a fun roll-in and an endless supply of berms, jumps and step-downs, this red-rated trail will get your grin on. It’s great fun to session on a trail bike or a downhill bike.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 1.7km
- Estimated time: 3 to 6 minutes
Black Powder
Big rock sections and jumps await the brave on the slopes of Black Powder, with its steep banks, tight berms and flat-out speed. Make sure you're warmed up before tackling it.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 1.6km
- Estimated time: 3 to 6 minutes
Y Du
Antur's big, bad full-on downhill track has a fast flowy top section to get you up to speed before plunging into rock slabs, rough turns, step-down jumps and a really steep lower section.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 1.4km
- Estimated time: 3 to 6 minutes
BikePark Wales trail guide
BikePark Wales has a network of more than 40 trails, which can be ridden with or without the uplift services.
There is riding for all skill levels, from beginners to experts, with the park featuring many pro-lines.
While many will choose to take a dual-crown forked downhill bike and the uplift, it’s possible to have the same amount of fun exploring the area on a shorter-travel bike.
What facilities are there at BikePark Wales?
BikePark Wales offers bike and equipment hire, coaching and an uplift service.
The centre at the bottom of the hill can satisfy all mountain biker needs, with a cafe, bike shop, bike wash and showers.
How to get to BikePark Wales
BikePark Wales is located in Gethin Woods, near Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales. Leave the M32 at Junction 32 and take the A470 north towards Merthyr Tydfil. Go past Pontypridd, straight over the first roundabout and then, after five miles, left at the second roundabout.
- Postcode: CF48 4TT
What are the trails like at BikePark Wales?
BikePark Wales has trails to sate the appetite of riders of all skill levels. The trails are hard-packed and well maintained, with little pooling on wet days. Wide-ranging views can be had towards the top of the mountain, and the forest provides good shelter in poor conditions.
All trails above the blue grade start with a qualifier feature, which is designed to show the required skill level for the trail before committing.
With so many trail combinations, we’ve highlighted some of the best below.
Badgers Run
This smooth, flowing trail is ideal for newcomers to mountain biking.
- Grade: Green
- Distance: 1km
- Estimated time: 3 to 5 minutes
Terry’s Belly
The longest trail at BikePark Wales features huge rollers and plenty of berms.
- Grade: Blue
- Distance: 4.6km
- Estimated time: 3 to 5 minutes
A470
Named after the road that BikePark Wales is located on, A470 features big gaps, step-downs and tabletop jumps for plenty of airtime.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 0.9km
- Estimated time: 2 to 3 minutes
50 Shades of Black
This trail has a variety of terrain and surfaces, and is the longest black trail at BikePark Wales. Boulder fields, roots and jumps appear throughout.
- Grade: Expert
- Distance: 1.8km
- Estimated time: 3 to 5 minutes
Brechfa trail guide
Brechfa Forest offers great riding to the west of the Brecon Beacons, with the forest covering more than 6,500 hectares.
There is great natural riding alongside manmade sections, designed by downhill rider Rowan Sorrell.
While there are few on-site facilities, there are plenty of pubs in the local vicinity to refuel or celebrate successful riding sessions.
What facilities are there at Brechfa?
While not as feature-rich as other trail centres on this list, Brechfa provides free parking and toilets for visitors.
How to get to Brechfa
Brechfa is located in Carmarthenshire in the south west of Wales.
- Postcode: SA32 7RD
What are the trails like at Brechfa?
The trails at Brechfa are mostly manmade, meaning they hold up to the firm fist of winter well and provide fast-paced descents.
Within the forest, there is good protection from the elements, and the tree-lined fire roads help dull the pain of climbing before revealing views of the surrounding area at the top.
Switchbacks, berms, jumps and tabletops all feature on the more advanced trails, though the beginner green is the perfect starting place for newcomers.
Derwen Trail
The Derwen trail meanders through the oak forest, taking in wide singletrack and fun descents.
- Grade: Green
- Distance: 9km
- Estimated time: 1 to 2 hours
Gorlech
This trail sees a lot of fire-road climbing that is rewarded with a rollercoaster of a descent that features berms and switchbacks that yearn for high-speed hits.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 22km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Raven
The Raven takes in the big berms and jumpy style of other trails and splices it with natural singletrack sections.
Coed Llandegla trail guide
Coed Llandegla is home to One Planet Adventure and is a purpose-built trail centre in North Wales that sits on Offa’s Dyke.
With great views to be had of the Clwydian mountain range, the forest has something for all abilities.
A skills area is accessed from the main car park for developing your skillset, and there is a pump track at the top car park.
What facilities are there at Coed Llandegla?
Llandegla has a large trail centre, which includes a bike shop, hire and repairs, as well as a cafe that arguably does the best breakfast butty in Wales.
The centre also has power washers for cleaning your bike after a mucky session.
How to get to Coed Llandegla
Coed Llandegla is located 10 minutes away from Wrexham, on a main access road to the Snowdonia National Park from the A483.
- Postcode: LL11 3AA
What are the trails like at Coed Llandegla?
The trails at Llandegla are all hardpacked, with ‘Natural Selection’ being the only natural section at the forest.
There is something for all abilities, from the tranquil reservoir loop to pro-line jump sections.
Llandegla’s ‘trail pixies’ are always active, adding to or maintaining the trails throughout the year.
All trails set off from the centre on the same singletrack climb, offering views across the moorland where it’s common to spot black grouse in the heather.
Green Route
The Green Route is a perfect loop for beginners and families, taking in the reservoir before swooping back down to the visitor centre.
- Grade: Green
- Distance: 5km
- Estimated time: 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
Blue Route
This route splits from the more advanced routes at the top of the hill and features gentle descents. It links up with red-rated technical sections throughout.
- Grade: Blue
- Distance: 12km
- Estimated time: 1 to 2.5 hours
Red Route
The Red Route has plenty of fast-paced descents that take in jumps, berms and boardwalk drop-offs.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 15km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Black Route
The Black Route is the longest and most technical trail at Llandegla, and sees large jumps, high-paced berms and optional natural sections.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 21km
- Estimated time: 2 to 4 hours
Coed-y-Brenin trail guide
Coed-y-Brenin was the touchpaper that started the trail-centre boom, hosting the first purpose-built mountain bike trail.
It continues to be one of the best places to ride to this day, with plenty of elevation and sheltered trails that offer a variety of riding for all skillsets.
What facilities are there at Coed-y-Brenin?
The well-established centre has everything you need for a mountain biking day out, with a cafe and a bike shop that offers repairs and equipment hire.
There are also bike washing facilities and an electric vehicle charging station.
How to get to Coed-y-Brenin
Coed-y-Brenin is situated in the Snowdonia National Park, near to Dolgellau.
- Postcode: LL40 2HZ
What are the trails like at Coed-y-Brenin?
The trails at Coed-y-Brenin are mostly hard-packed, with some featuring rocky sections cut into the hill below.
With trails for varying abilities that are well marked and feature little water build-up, Coed-y-Brenin remains ridable all-year round.
The more advanced trails feature seperate trail features to challenge riders wanting to push their skillset, or show off to their friends.
With eight trails to choose from, here are our highlights.
MinorTaur
Starting between two bull horns, this trail provides an introduction to mountain biking in the forest and includes stone steps, tabletop jumps and berms. The trail consists of four loops, meaning it can be shortened should you feel the need.
- Grade: Blue
- Distance: 13km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Cyflym Coch
This trail consists of fast-flowing sections and technical climbs.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 12.6km
- Estimated time: 1 to 3 hours
MBR
Named after the UK’s second best-selling mountain biking magazine, MBR is a rocky and challenging trail that offers fast, sweeping descents with some of the forest's most technical sections.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 17.6km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
The Beast
The Beast is the longest trail at Coed-y-Brenin, encompassing some of the best descents from other trails in the forest.
Technical rocky climbs will take your mind off the elevation gain, and you’re rewarded with gnarly descents featuring jumps, fly-offs and hips.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 35km
- Estimated time: 3 to 6 hours
Cwmcarn trail guide
Cwmcarn is based in South Wales and provides easy access to singletrack.
With open hillsides and contouring singletrack, this centre provides good views of the Ebbw valley below and plenty of action on the descents.
Cwmcarn is also home to the Y Mynydd downhill trail, which has played host to national races over the years and provides a fast-paced, feature-packed descent back down to the main car park.
What facilities are there at Cwmcarn?
Cwmcarn has a large visitor centre that has a cafe for a post-ride snack, and there is a separate bike shop that offers repairs and equipment hire in the car park.
How to get to Cwmcarn
Cwmcarn is within 30 minutes of the M4, and is located just north of Newport.
- Postcode: NP11 7FA
What are the trails like at Cwmcarn?
The trails at Cwmcarn are well-built, with hardpack used throughout the exposed hillside and into the forest.
There are more natural sections through the trees, with descents featuring roots, rock drops and rooted berms.
A singletrack climb can be taken to the top, or there's the option of a fire road for those willing to spin it out.
Uplifts can be arranged to the top of the downhill track using the paved road that runs through the valley.
Twrch
The Twrch trail winds upwards with technical rock sections and steep slopes before spiralling down through the woods before taking you around berms and over jumps.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 13.4km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 2.5 hours
Cafall
This trail features tough climbs and technical descents, with hand-built singletrack giving that unique natural gnar factor.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 14km
- Estimated time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Y Mynydd Downhill
This trail consists of two runs for differing abilities. Both are fast-paced and littered with roots, turns and jumps.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 1.7/1.9km
- Estimated time: 5 to 10 minutes
Pedalhounds Downhill
Starting off with a handmade rooty section, Pedalhounds soon picks up speed and takes in some of the most technical riding at Cwmcarn.
- Grade: Orange
- Distance: 1.4km
- Estimated time: 2 to 4 minutes
Dirt Farm trail guide
This bike park is home to some of the best manmade singletrack in the country, and can be ridden with or without an uplift.
Dirt Farm is aimed at gravity-loving intermediate skilled riders, alongside plenty of riding for those in the top echelon of the sport.
Tractors and trailers are used for the uplift, so don’t expect to seek shelter on the way to the top.
What facilities are there at Dirt Farm?
There is a car park next to the uplift pick-up point with a small visitor hut and sheltered picnic area.
Gateway Cycles also has a pop-up shop, which stocks essential bike park spares, such as tyres and derailleur hangers.
Food vans often provide catering on weekends, and there is a toilet available in the car park.
How to get to Dirt Farm
Dirt Farm is located near Abergavenny in South Wales, and is accessed off the A465.
- Postcode: NP7 7PE
What are the trails like at Dirt Farm?
The trails at Dirt Farm are made from hard-packed dirt, providing fast-paced descents through woodland and open hillside – so it’s best to pump up your tyres a little harder.
Although there are no beginner tracks, the intermediate options provide a good introduction to bike-park riding and remain fun at high speeds for more skilled riders.
Dirt Farm has also become a hotspot for its Full Moto line, which features some of the biggest jumps in the UK.
There are 17 trail segments, which can be linked into unique full runs, enabling you to make your own way down the hill.
Here are some of the highlights.
Rabbit Run
This will probably be your first trail selection, providing plenty of warm-up fun thanks to pumps, jumps and berms.
- Grade: Blue
- Distance: <1km
- Estimated time: 1 to 3 minutes
Red Dragon
This fast red run starts on an open hillside and quickly accelerates into large tabletops and berms.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: <1km
- Estimated time: 1 to 3 minutes
Ninja Alley
Ninja Alley has fast-paced berms and plenty of stepdowns, which lead into ‘Full Moto’.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: <1km
- Estimated time: 1 to 3 minutes
Full Moto
Full Moto features the biggest jumps in the park, starting with a drop down and followed by two 40ft tabletop jumps. This trail is for those who crave airtime.
- Grade: Purple (pro-line)
- Distance: <1km
- Estimated time: 1 to 3 minutes
Dyfi Bike Park trail guide
Dyfi Bike Park is the brainchild of Dan Atherton, who has taken a hands-on approach to building the trails.
The park is located near Atherton’s other passion project ‘Red Bull Hardline’ in the Dyfi valley, and shares some of the same DNA in its construction, with plenty of huge features.
Land Rovers and bike trailers are used to uplift, which usually takes around 11 minutes. There is a pump track at the bottom of the hill to get warmed up for the main affair.
What facilities are there at Dyfi Bike Park?
Dyfi Bike Park has a cafe, and also sells park necessities such as tubes and tyres.
There is also coaching available from talented riders such as Becci Skelton, Al Bond and Riley Scott for those looking to improve their skillset.
How to get to Dyfi Bike Park
Dyfi Bike Park is located near Machynlleth in Mid Wales and is accessed by the A487.
- Postcode: SY20 9AS
What are the trails like at Dyfi Bike Park?
Dyfi Bike Park is home to some of the UK’s best downhill tracks, aimed at riders who have good ability on two wheels.
The tracks are incredibly fast, with Instagram-famous features such as the Oakley Drop dotted throughout.
While there are no beginner tracks, Lovely Dyfi and Super Swooper provide mellower and more flowy descents to get used to the park.
With hard-pack construction and well thought-out drainage, the trails remain fun all-year round.
There are 11 tracks to choose from, but here are our highlights.
Super Swooper
This trail follows the ridgeline and features berms, jumps and drops, all with a view of the valley below.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 3.5km
- Estimated time: 8 to 10 minutes
Lovely Dyfi
With a fast open-top section and machine-built bottom, this trail is designed for full-speed shenanigans.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 3.5km
- Estimated time: 8 to 10 minutes
50 Hits
This trail has over eight minutes of near-relentless tabletops, jumps and berms.
- Grade: Black Diamond
- Distance: 3.5km
- Estimated time: 8 minutes
Original DH
As the name suggests, this was the first trail built at the park, taking in steep gullies, big jumps and fast rocky sections.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 1.8km
- Estimated time: 6 minutes
Nant Yr Arian trail guide
Nant Yr Arian is home to some of the finest riding in Wales, with long singletrack runs and plenty of variety for beginners and professionals alike.
Alongside the trails that start at the visitor centre, there is also a skills park to warm up or hone your technique.
Located in Mid Wales, there is an abundance of wildlife to take in, with red kites often seen circling the hillside.
What facilities are there at Nant Yr Arian?
There is a large visitor centre, with a cafe serving up snacks, drinks and hot food throughout the day.
The centre also features a bike wash for muddy days, as well as a shop that mainly sells trinkets.
How to get to Nant Yr Arian
Nant Yr Arian is based nine miles inland of Aberystwyth, and is accessed from the A44.
- Postcode: SY23 3AB
What are the trails like at Nant Yr Arian?
The trails at Nant Yr Arian are all waymarked, and there are a variety to suit all skill levels.
With hard-pack contribution, the trails stand up to the worst conditions and remain grippy in the wet.
There are five trails, not including the skills park. These range from the Arian Trail, which sticks to forest roads, to the Syfydrin Trail, which takes in more natural sections of singletrack.
Arian Trail
This trail is for beginners and takes you on a picturesque tour of the area, passing forest and the Blaenmelindwr lake.
- Grade: Green
- Distance: 7.9km
- Estimated time: 0.75 to 1.5 hours
Pendam Trail
The Pendam Trail includes some of the best of Nant Yr Arian, with flowing singletrack and a fun final descent back to the visitor centre.
- Grade: Red
- Distance: 10.2km
- Estimated time: 1 to 2 hours
Syfydrin Trail
This trail is the longest, and takes in 750 meters of climbing. There are stunning views from the technical doubletrack climbs, and it features more natural singletrack than other trails in the forest.
- Grade: Black
- Distance: 36km
- Estimated time: 3 to 5 hours
