Mountain Biking is a lovely way to get close to the spectacular scenery of the South Wales area.There are several centres near Lothlorien Cottage which guests
can enjoy whether they are beginners or experienced cyclists.We have secure cycle storage facilities at the cottage
Mountain Biking in The ValleysThe Valleys really is a mecca for Mountain Biking - our landscape just cries out to be explored - and the way that Mountain Biking is being developed means that we have routes for the young and more mature - the beginners and the high level competitors. Just put your bike on the back of the car and pick up your helmet ( or hop on a train) and you can rapidly be exploring some of the UK's best routes.
Cwmcarn Cwmcarn Forest is the destination for all you downhill adrenaline junkies. The Y Mynydd course consists of one man-made downhill Trail (with a choice of lines on the top and middle sections), simply named red run and black run. The course demands a high level of skill (and guts). These are extreme downhill trails and are suitable for experienced riders only. You’ll be challenged with loads of berms, a few switch backs, doubles, a tunnel, rock steps, the bridge, hip jump and the quarry gap. The jumps are there if you want them, but can be ridden around if not. An uplift pass is available at www.cwmdown.co.uk. Cwmcarn Forest is also home of the Twrch Trail, this is a superb 15.5km trail of the very highest quality that is not for the faint hearted. Virtually the entire route is on purpose built single-track through a mixture of broadleaf and conifer woodlands and open ridge tops. BikePark Wales – Merthyr TydfilLocated in Merthyr Tydfil, BikePark Wales is the UK’s only purpose built bike park that has trails suitable for everyone. Long awaited BikePark Wales has sent shockwaves through the mountain biking world. BikePark Wales consists of six downhill trails (of various grades), one xc trail, one family trail, a pump track, a vehicle uplift, cafe, bike shop/rental and plenty of locally sourced hearty meals! A 1 day pass to ride BikePark Wales costs £5 and the vehicle uplift is £30 a day (this includes your 1 day ride pass). Car parking is free at BikePark Wales. For further information and to book your visit including the uplift service please visit www.bikeparkwales.com Other Trails Garwnant Visitor Centre is the home of two mini-trails; Rowan (green), and Spruce (blue). With a mini-bike park for children it’s a great destination for young newcomers to the sport. The Taff Trail is a multi-purpose cycle route between the Cardiff waterfront at Cardiff Bay in the south and the Market Town of Brecon in the north. It is 55 miles (88km) in length. Margam Country Park offers a 5 mile way-marked mountain bike trail, family friendly trails and also bike hire. It is also the site for many National competitions. Darren Fawr has two 3km trails offering a 6km ride if combined - ‘Glengarw’ (blue graded) and ‘Gellideg’ (black graded) Visit www.cognation.co.uk for more information on Mountain Biking. Visit thevalleys.co.uk for information about the area and events. We Have secure lockable storage for your bikes and gear in the outhouse
which is just situated outside of the kitchen,. See Photograph left. There is also an outside tap and hose to wash boots or walking gear. We have waking guides in the cottage for local routes etc. |
Mountain Biking in The BreconbeaconsMountain biking Brecon Beacons
In the Brecon Beacons, we have several biking hotspots which make the perfect base for a mountain biking break. The towns and villages of Brecon, Crickhowell, Sennybridge, Talgarth and Talybont-on-Usk are all mountain biking, walking and adventure activity hubs. Each has something slightly different to offer, but they all have bike shops, bike hire facilities and some great places to eat and drink. Brecon, Sennybridge and Talybont-on-Usk are all good choices for newcomers to the sport, while Crickhowell and Talgarth have access to mountain bike trails which are gnarly enough to appeal to expert riders. MTB Brecon Beacons mountain bike route maps are available from visitor information centres and online shop. Mountain Biking in The Afan forestAdrenaline junkies, this part of the website is for you! At Afan Forest Park you can reconnect with your bike and disconnect from everything else.
Twisty, rooty, rocky and in places wildly exposed, the singletrack in Afan Forest Park is the enthusiasts dream. The trails here have been carved out of hillsides once surrounded by coal mining, but now the valley has been transformed into a bikers heaven. Afan Forest Park is home to 5 world class trails, the ‘Penhydd’, ‘Y Wâl’, ‘Skyline’, ‘White’s Level’ and 'W²', boasting over 100 km of singletrack trails. There's also the Afan Bike Park (launched in 2013) allowing riders to improve their riding skill and have hours of winding, swerving fun with berms and jumps. Afan Forest Park was the only UK trail destination to feature in the ‘What Mountain Bike Magazine’ as one of the ten best places to ride “before you die”. In 2008 it was also voted one of the top ten public forests in the UK by the Sunday Telegraph. Trails start from either the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre or Glyncorrwg Visitor Centre, both great locations to set off from.Glyncorrwg Visitor Centre is 21miles from Lothlorien Cottage visit afanforestpark.co.uk |