Mountain Biking in Wales: The Top 5 Places to MTB ride in Wales
A Top 5 Guide to The Best Places to Ride Your Mountain Bike in Wales in the Winter
Wales certainly doesn't fail when it comes to mountain biking, one of the most exhilarating and fun forms of exercise.
The rugged terrain and national parks lay host to some of the best MTB riding spots in the UK.
Here are my top 5 mountain bike riding destinations in Wales.
UPDATED July 2023
1. Bike Park Wales
Number of trails: 36
Bike Park Wales (BPW) has quickly become one of the UK’s leading bike parks its speciality in design from complete beginners right up to seasoned pros.
Here is the lowdown of what Bike Park Wales offers;
36 trails from green to double black.
Uplift service (£32.50 day pass)
On-site cafe and bike shop
Ample on-site parking.
Open all year round.
Bike Park Wales is a one-stop shop for your mountain bike needs. There is a range of trails with an uplift service for when the legs get tired or if you fancy letting the hammer.. maybe on a hire bike! You can even borrow a Go-Pro to document the days antics.
The variety of trails is a major pull for BPW as there are few places in the UK which provide anywhere near the same trail offerings.
2. Coed-Y-Brenin
Number of trails: 8
Coed-Y-Brenin (CYB) is located in the heart of Snowdonia, North Wales. The trail centre has been historically described as the mountain bike mecca and was Britain's first trail centre.
The trails are busy all year round but with plenty of parking and lengthy loops, it’s easy enough to avoid any queues! Whilst there is plenty of recreational riding CYB also hosts cross country and enduro events which highlights its popularity from amateur to event organisers.
Key Coed-Y-Brenin Highlights
Range of trails from green to black.
Cafe, parking and bike wash on site.
Open 7 days a week
Park up and ride
Skills park
The Northern alternative for BPW, even without an uplift service there is plenty of riding to keep one entertained for a weekend. Focussed more towards trail and cross country riding a downhill bike may well be overkill.
The centre has hosted a number of enduro events in recent history which has opened the centre up to a new style of riding moving away from a well groomed trail over to a more natural and backcountry riding experience.
Coed y Brenin Forest Park Visitor Centre, Dolgellau, LL40 2HZ.
3. Coed Llandegla
Number of trails: 13
Llandegla is again a well-established trail centre servicing the very Northern tip of Wales and neighbouring parts of England.
The popularity of the trails is seen on summer days when even the overflow carpark is filled to the brim.
There is an onsite cafe, bike shop and information centre run by One Planet Adventures who also provide excellent aid when a crash turns serious (fortunately I was not on the receiving end of that myself!).
The important Coed Llandegla bits are;
Open all year round although the car park is locked shortly after the centre.
12-month season passes are available for the car park for repeat visits.
On-site shop, cafe and information.
Variety of cross-country focused routes.
Skills and freeride park.
Llandegla Forest is well known in the cross-country racing scene, the trails have cultivated professional up-and-coming talent from neighbouring areas.
Now lycra is a little far for me however it’s fair to say it proves quite the attraction on the weekends. Staff in the centre are very helpful and there is a bike shop to keep you rolling, get some bike shoes you can walk in too, they have drinks in the cafe!
A must-visit.
Coed Llandegla, Ruthin Rd, Llandegla, Denbighshire, LL11 3AA UK
Coed Llandegla
4. Nant Y Arian
Number of trails: 4
Nant Y Arian (NYA) caters for much of Mid-Wales in its location close to Aberystwyth.
The forest park is not only a mountain bike attraction but also for hiking and bird watching witnessing the famous Red Kite feeding.
The trails cater from amateur to professional varying in length and technicality. The centre has just invested heavily in a new skills area which is accessed directly from the centre.
Nant Y Arian Highlights
Open all year round.
Play areas for kids and other outdoor activities on site.
Cafe and visitor centre.
Varying trial lengths.
New skills park.
NYA offers a family-friendly location that can easily cater for a weekend’s energy, whilst there are excellent trails on offer there are also other recreational activities that can keep the mountain bike haters at bay.
The new skills area was opened by the famous Atherton family earlier in 2017.
Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth SY23
5. Cwmcarn
Number of trails: 4
With the development of BPW Cwmcarn is another one stop shop for your mountain biking needs in South Wales. 5 minutes off the M4 it’s ideally situated on the M4 corridor and boast both trail riding and uplift service.
Not only does it have riding opportunities it also has onsite accommodation for weekend adventures.
Cwmcarn Key Information
Uplift service
Natural and bike park trails
Cafe, bike shop and visitor centre on site.
Ample parking
Open all year round.
Cwmcarn is an excellent uplift service which runs directly up a tarmac road, the trails are regularly maintained and offer a variety of mixed trails.
The forest park is an excellent base for riding a number of more off-piste riding in the neighbouring valleys although is very easy to get lost!
The uplifts run on weekends and in the summer it’s always worth jumping on the uplift at the end of the day to save the weary legs!
Cwmcarn Forest Drive, Newport, South Wales, UK
What are your favourite mountain bike destinations in Wales? Let us know in the comments!
Check out our beginners guide to Mountain Biking if you’d like to know more about getting started with the sport.
We’ve also put together a handy guide on the best Mountain Bikes for beginners.
Check out more articles on all sorts of Fitness and Training.