.png)
If your looking to take your hire bike further afield in search of some singletrack, here's our local Trail Centre;
Bwlch Nant-Yr-Arian
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre is well-known for its long-established tradition of daily feeding of red kites.
There is a wide range of waymarked trails for walkers, mountain bikers and runners.
There is also a skills park with a purpose-built track for mountain bikers to practice their technique and a waymarked trail for horse riders.
The visitor centre is perched on a dramatic hilltop, straddling the boundary between the lowlands and uplands, and has commanding views of Cardigan Bay and the Cambrian Mountains.
Remnants of the lead mining industry are still visible along the trails but today bilberry and heather cover the hills whilst majestic red kites circle above.
Information Gathered from - National Resources Wales
The Trails
Arian Trail
Grade: Forest Road and Similar
Distance: 7.9 kilometres
Climb: 160 metres (maximum gradient: 12%)
Time: 45 minutes – 1½ hours
The Arian Trail is one for all the family to enjoy.
This forest road trail takes you to the picturesque Blaenmelindwr lake.
It’s a relatively low-level route on forest roads with no singletrack sections, but includes a section along a public road circling the lake.
Please be aware of vehicles and ride with due care and consideration for other users.
There is a short steepish climb on your return.
Melindwr Trail
Grade: Blue (moderate)
Loop 1: 1.85 kilometres/climb 75 metres
Loops 1 & 2: 5 kilometres/climb 110 metres
The Melindwr Trail is designed as a progression for riders who are competent riding blue grade trails to improve their skills before progressing to the next grade up.
It has two loops; riding both loops is 5km.
Loop 1 is under 2km with one forest road climb, a fine view with a bench and one super fun flowy descent with lots of berms back to the visitor centre.
Loop 2 takes you up the beginning of ‘Italian Job’ before descending the 'Half Pipe'. Take care on the next two-way shared use section before climbing round 'The Nose' for a distant view to the sea. Recover on the bench before a long, flowing descent with fun rollers and berms. The return forest road climb has one section of 12% gradient, but you’ll be well rewarded by the exciting final descent.
Pendam Trail
Grade: Red (difficult)
Distance: 10.2 kilometres
Climb: 200 metres
Time: 1-2 hours
Mastered the Melindwr Trail? The Pendam Trail strings together some of the best flowing sections in Nant yr Arian with relatively short climbs.
With sections like ‘Italian Job’, ‘Hippity Hop’ and a fun final decent on ‘High as a Kite’, it’s a real blast!
Summit Trail
Grade: Red (difficult)
Distance: 18.5 kilometres
Climb: 440 metres
Time: 1½ – 2½ hours
Summit is the longer more challenging red-grade trail which weaves its way through the forest and takes you out onto the exposed moorland.
‘Mark of Zorro’ gives a fantastic long descent, well worth the following climb up the ‘Leg Burner’.
Watch out for other users, especially horse riders, and please leave gates as you find them.
Syfydrin Trail
Grade: Black (severe)
Distance: 36 kilometres
Climb: 750 metres
Time: 3-5 hours
The Syfydrin Trail takes in all of the Summit Trail with its fantastic swooping, flowing singletrack, and adds to it by leading you out onto the high open hills with stunning views.
It is a long and challenging ride in exposed and remote countryside, so go equipped for any eventuality, including plenty to eat and drink, spares, tools and clothing.
Make sure someone knows where you are going and when you expect to be back. It is safer riding with others.
Much of the route is on technical doubletrack, which is used by 4x4s, motorbikes, horse riders and walkers. Some of it is used as a waymarked horse riding route. Please ride with due care and consideration of other users. Please leave gates as you find them.
Comments