THE MBLK DIRECTORY

Everything you need to know about Gwydir Forest

GETTING THERE The Gwydir trailhead is off the A470, by the village of Llanrwst. Use postcode LL27 0HX and look for the Forestry signs. Betws-yCoed is 10 minutes away. FACILITIES Parking. NEARBY BIKE SHOPS Beics Betws Hire shop in Betws-yCoed with hardtails and e-bikes. They organise guided rides too. www.bikewales.co.uk The Framed Bicycle Co. This shop in Llanberis is well-stocked, and can service suspension. www. theframed bicycleco.com CONTACT www.mbwales.com OTHER RIDING Penmachno This lesser-known gem is 20 minutes down the road. A 19km red trail winds through the woods, and there’s an 11km extension. Although fully manmade, its seclusion makes it feel pretty wild. Snowdon A descent from Wales’s tallest peak is a must for anyone wanting a real mountain day out. There are several options, but the most popular is up the Llanberis path and down the Ranger’s. Because Snowdon sees so many tourists in summer, the bridleways are out of bounds to MTBers from 10am to 5pm.

VERDICT

Graded trails can feel a bit manicured and dull, but you can’t tar Gwydir Forest with that brush. It’s an action-packed 25km that mixes flowing singletrack with testing rock gardens and a smattering of jumps to spike the adrenaline levels. There are quite a few fireroad linking sections, but these pass quickly through characterful woodland and past great views. A few sections are starting to show wear, particularly the newish Dswin Drwg, but this doesn’t detract much from the fun.