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NEW GRAVEL ROUTES 

OPENING 25th MAY!!

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On Saturday 25th of May, 6 brand new Gravel/Adventure cycling trails will open at Coed y Brenin.

Natural Resources Wales’ Recreation Team have crafted these waymarked trail networks over the previous year to provide as wide an appeal possible, using funds generated from parking income.

These new routes are the largest trail development Coed y Brenin has seen for many years. With over 100km of waymarked gravel routes added, there's a whole new adventure arriving at Coed y Brenin this May.

There are routes to suit all ability and fitness levels from 9km to 36km, many with trail surfaces that can be ridden on any gravel bike or even a hybrid with suitable tyres. They offer to bring easy access to some great riding, opening up trails that bring a completely new type of cycle adventure to Coed y Brenin.

These trails can be enjoyed by novice cyclists, families, and experienced gravel riders alike with detailed route guides available from this page before the opening event so you can plan your visit.

 

WIN A TREK 

CHECKPOINT ALR 4

To mark the opening event, Beics Brenin have teamed up with Trek bikes and Rab to bring some great prizes to those who come to ride the trails on the day including the grand prize of a brand new Trek Checkpoint ALR4 gravel bike that will go to one lucky rider. There will also be spot prizes from Rab who will also be with us on the day showing off some of their Cinder range of gravel/adventure cycle clothing.

To be in for a chance of winning on the day, save the date and make sure you can join us to ride one of the new gravel routes at Coed y Brenin. You will also need to add your name & email address to the launch day mailing list so we can contact you with further details of what you’ll need to do on the day.

Here is the link to sign up for launch event information and the chance to WIN A TREK CHECKPOINT ALR4

 

 

Adventure Cycling Trail Information

NEW ADVENTURE / GRAVEL CYCLE ROUTES FOR ALL ABILITY LEVELS

Looking for adventure? North Wales biggest and best known trail centre destination has just announced the addition of a selection of new adventure/gravel routes for those looking for something new. 

The routes vary in length and challenge from the shortest Coblynnau (Goblin) at just over 9km to the 36km Y Wrach Wen (The White Witch). Trail surfaces will vary but will include forest road, hard packed track and some narrower trail sections. Most trails can be tackled on a gravel bike or even a hybrid with a reasonable tyre volume but there are some steeper sections on the longer trails that may require you to walk your bike a short distance.   

These routes have been carefully compiled to offer an alternative adventure to Coed y Brenin's well known MTB trails. You could be looking to notch up some fitness miles or just to soak up some scenery with tranquil tree-lined forest road and spectacular mountain views. These new routes are for the pure pleasure of cycle enjoyment.  

You can find further visitor information on our Visitor Centre page or Click & Collect your MTB essentials from our online shop.

Please note - There is no charge to ride the trails, although you will need to pay to park. 

 

The Routes

ROUTE NAME DISTANCE/TIME

Coblynnau

9.5km / 1-3 hours

Yr Afon

10.9km 1-3 hours

Olwyn Dân

10.5km / 1.5-3 hours

Y Fuwch Frech

15.5km / 2-4 hour

Y Fuwch Gyfeiliorn

19.1km / 2-4 hours

Gwyllgi

24.9km / 2.5-4.5 hours

Y Wrach Wen

36km / 3-6 hours

All routes map

N/A

  

Gravel Trails FAQ

Want to explore the Forest Park but don’t want to ride the technical mountain bike trails? Then these routes may be for you!. The gravel bike trails are a series of waymarked bike routes mainly following forest roads and tarmac lanes. The trails are ideal for drop-bar gravel bikes with 40mm or wider knobbly off-road tyres, flat-bar mountain bikes and e-mountain/gravel bikes. The longer routes may also include sections of singletrack and short unrideable sections where you will need to push or carry your bike: ‘hike-a-bike’. See individual trails for details. Off-road cycling is a hazardous activity carrying some inherent risks. Please consider your skills, abilities and fitness carefully and always make sure your bike and helmet are safe to use.
The gravel trails we’ve provided offer options for a range of skills and abilities. The information provided in the trail cards will help you to decide which trail is right for you.
Looking at the distance and climb on a trail will give you a good idea of how difficult the route will be for you. These figures, alongside the route profiles, will help you get the best understanding of what’s in store. REMEMBER: It’s hard work trying to lift or carry a heavy e-bike on steep or slippery terrain; look out for the hike-a-bike sections.
The timing on the trail cards is an indication of how long the ride will take, but be prepared to adapt it to suit your circumstances. It’s important to factor in extra time for mechanical issues, accidents, weather, your personal fitness, navigation errors, or simply admiring the beautiful views.
Each trail is waymarked with its own unique waymarker and arrow so make sure you know which signs you’re following. Carrying a copy of the trail map will help you keep track of where you are and what’s to come.
Carrying the right clothing, kit and supplies for the day will help you make the most out of your visit to the forest.
  • Take a puncture repair kit or spare inner tube and know how to use them.
  • basic tool kit may come in useful too!
  • Take a first aid kit and a means of communication.
Remember, the weather here can be changeable so make sure you’ve checked the forecast and planned appropriately.

What if things go wrong?

If you find that you are lost, try retracing your route back to the last or any numbered waymarker post which will give you a reference point on the map and allow you to find where you are. We’ve also waymarked escape routes back to the visitor centre; these follow the easiest, flattest route back.
You’ll need to be able to fix this yourself out on the trails. If you can’t fix it then you’ll need to walk back to the visitor centre following the escape routes mentioned above. Don't forget, Beics Brenin bike shop is located at the visitor centre where you can buy essential spares, puncture repair kits and tools.
Mobile signal is patchy throughout the forest, so carrying alternative means of getting attention such as a whistle or torch will help in these situations. Calls to the emergency services can be made on any available network.
Give first-aid treatment to any casualty and then make your way back to the visitor centre. In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Police and then Mountain Rescue because in many areas of the forest, an ambulance wont be able to reach you. When giving your location, an Ordnance Survey grid reference is best, or the number of the nearest waymarker is a good backup. Make sure to have as much information aboutthe incident and casualty as possible to give them too.

Bike Hire

For those who don't have their own bike or just want to try something new (we have an extensive fleet of MTBs and EMTBs), Beics Brenin offers a range of hire options for riding within the forest park trail network.

Bike Shop and Visitor Centre

Beics Brenin stock a wide range of clothing, accessories and trail essentials to help you make the most out of your visit to Coed y Brenin. The Visitor Center café is right next door to the bike hire centre and bike shop and serves a wide range of drinks, snacks and home cooked cakes and meals. There are showers, a bike wash and a 24hr toilets on site and you'll find other activities like walking and running trails and a kids play area. Find out more on our Visitor Centre page. 

So what are you waiting for, plan your visit today.

Adventure Cycling Trails

NEW ADVENTURE / GRAVEL CYCLE ROUTES FOR ALL ABILITY LEVELS

Looking for adventure? North Wales biggest and best known trail centre destination has just announced the addition of a selection of new adventure/gravel routes for those looking for something new. 

The routes vary in length and challenge from the shortest Coblynnau (Goblin) at just over 9km to the 36km Y Wrach Wen (The White Witch). Trail surfaces will vary but will include forest road, hard packed track and some narrower trail sections. Most trails can be tackled on a gravel bike or even a hybrid with a reasonable tyre volume but there are some steeper sections on the longer trails that may require you to walk your bike a short distance.   

These routes have been carefully compiled to offer an alternative adventure to Coed y Brenin's well known MTB trails. You could be looking to notch up some fitness miles or just to soak up some scenery with tranquil tree-lined forest road and spectacular mountain views. These new routes are for the pure pleasure of cycle enjoyment.  

You can find further visitor information on our Visitor Centre page or Click & Collect your MTB essentials from our online shop.

Please note - There is no charge to ride the trails, although you will need to pay to park. 

 

The Routes

ROUTE NAME DISTANCE/TIME
Coblynnau 9.5km / 1-3 hours
Yr Afon 10.9km 1-3 hours
Olwyn Dân 10.5km / 1.5-3 hours
Y Fuwch Frech 15.5km / 2-4 hour
Y Fuwch Gyfeiliorn 19.1km / 2-4 hours
Gwyllgi 24.9km / 2.5-4.5 hours
Y Wrach Wen 36km / 3-6 hours
All routes map N/A

  

Gravel Trails FAQ

What is a gravel trail?

Want to explore the Forest Park but don’t want to ride the technical mountain bike trails? Then these routes may be for you!.

The gravel bike trails are a series of waymarked bike routes mainly following forest roads and tarmac lanes. The trails are ideal for drop-bar gravel bikes with 40mm or wider knobbly off-road tyres, flat-bar mountain bikes and e-mountain/gravel bikes. The longer routes may also include sections of singletrack and short unrideable sections where you will need to push or carry your bike: ‘hike-a-bike’. See individual trails for details. Off-road cycling is a hazardous activity carrying some inherent risks. Please consider your skills, abilities and fitness carefully and always make sure your bike and helmet are safe to use.

How do I know if the trails are right for me?
The gravel trails we’ve provided offer options for a range of skills and abilities. The information provided in the trail cards will help you to decide which trail is right for you.

How long are the trails and how hard are they?
Looking at the distance and climb on a trail will give you a good idea of how difficult the route will be for you. These figures, alongside the route profiles, will help you get the best understanding of what’s in store. REMEMBER: It’s hard work trying to lift or carry a heavy e-bike on steep or slippery terrain; look out for the hike-a-bike sections.

How long will it take me to ride the trails?
The timing on the trail cards is an indication of how long the ride will take, but be prepared to adapt it to suit your circumstances. It’s important to factor in extra time for mechanical issues, accidents, weather, your personal fitness, navigation errors, or simply admiring the beautiful views.

Are the trails easy to follow?
Each trail is waymarked with its own unique waymarker and arrow so make sure you know which signs you’re following. Carrying a copy of the trail map will help you keep track of where you are and what’s to come.

What to take with you?
Carrying the right clothing, kit and supplies for the day will help you make the most out of your visit to the forest.

  • Take a puncture repair kit or spare inner tube and know how to use them.
  • basic tool kit may come in useful too!
  • Take a first aid kit and a means of communication.

Remember, the weather here can be changeable so make sure you’ve checked the forecast and planned appropriately.

What if things go wrong?

What to do if I get lost? If you find that you are lost, try retracing your route back to the last or any numbered waymarker post which will give you a reference point on the map and allow you to find where you are. We’ve also waymarked escape routes back to the visitor centre; these follow the easiest, flattest route back.

What about punctures and bike mechanical problems? You’ll need to be able to fix this yourself out on the trails. If you can’t fix it then you’ll need to walk back to the visitor centre following the escape routes mentioned above. Don't forget, Beics Brenin bike shop is located at the visitor centre where you can buy essential spares, puncture repair kits and tools.

Is there a mobile phone signal?
Mobile signal is patchy throughout the forest, so carrying alternative means of getting attention such as a whistle or torch will help in these situations. Calls to the emergency services can be made on any available network.

What if there’s an accident?
Give first-aid treatment to any casualty and then make your way back to the visitor centre. In an emergency call 999 and ask for the Police and then Mountain Rescue because in many areas of the forest, an ambulance wont be able to reach you. When giving your location, an Ordnance Survey grid reference is best, or the number of the nearest waymarker is a good backup. Make sure to have as much information aboutthe incident and casualty as possible to give them too.

Bike Hire

For those who don't have their own bike or just want to try something new (we have an extensive fleet of MTBs and EMTBs), Beics Brenin offers a range of hire options for riding within the forest park trail network.

Bike Shop and Visitor Centre

Beics Brenin stock a wide range of clothing, accessories and trail essentials to help you make the most out of your visit to Coed y Brenin. The Visitor Center café is right next door to the bike hire centre and bike shop and serves a wide range of drinks, snacks and home cooked cakes and meals. There are showers, a bike wash and a 24hr toilets on site and you'll find other activities like walking and running trails and a kids play area. Find out more on our Visitor Centre page. 

So what are you waiting for, plan your visit today.