5 Of The Best Places To Go Mountain Biking In North Wales
Published on 23 Feb 2022 by Amy GreenwoodMountain biking in North Wales has always been a popular activity but the sport has exploded in recent years! North Wales has become somewhat of an adventure destination and is world renowned for adventure sports. We have activity centres like ZipWorld and Adventure Parc Snowdonia that are helping to put North Wales on the map for adrenaline fuelled sports within the magnificent countryside, as well as some of the best mountain biking centres in the UK!
The great thing about mountain biking in North Wales is the range of trails suitable for different abilities. Start with a gentle forest ride with just a couple of hills while you gain confidence and learn new skills. These family-friendly rides are a great way to introduce children to the sport. Its also a really exciting way for the whole family to appreciate nature and spend time outdoors.
As you progress there are lots of options to take your mountain biking to the next level. All of the activity parks in this article offer courses and lessons so you can safely take on those daring red routes!
Mountain biking in North Wales isn’t all about the adrenaline. Combine those mountain trails with an easy flat road or take on sections of the North Wales Coastal Path for beautiful sea views. You’ll pass through quaint villages and past stunning beaches . You are bound to find a country pub or a cafe where hungry riders can refuel.
If you don’t have your own bikes or protective equipment then do not fear. There are plenty of places to hire mountain bikes in North Wales. As well as specialist helmets, pads and gloves which are needed for the mountain bike parks. If you’re looking for an easier way to enjoy the mountain bike trails then consider hiring an e-bike. A quick way to get to the top of the mountains! You can save your energy for the fun parts and actually enjoy riding up steep hills!
Here are five of the best places to go mountain biking in North Wales.
Adventure Parc Snowdonia
Location: Conwy
Best for: Practising your skills
Adventure Parc Snowdonia is home to a variety of adventure sports. The Pump Track is where you’ll want to be to practice your mountain biking skills. This track features jumps, bowl turns and tabletop rollers and there’s even a split track so competitive riders can race their mates!
The Pump Track is suitable for ages six and up and is popular with beginners and experienced riders alike. It’s a great place to gain confidence and work on your technical abilities as a mountain biker. You can improve your balance, speed and agility on the smooth surface of an asphalt track.
There’s even a Mini Wheels loop track for little riders from the ages of three to eight. It’s a great option for children who are just learning to ride, they can complete the loop with minimal pedalling.
Once you’ve practised your skills and gained some confidence, it’s time to get off-site for a mountain biking adventure in the surrounding countryside.
A nearby trail is The Marin Trail in Gwydir Fforest. It’s a must-ride mountain biking trail in North Wales and it begins just over four miles from Adventure Parc Snowdonia. It’s a 25km route suitable for experienced riders and those looking for a challenge as it includes tight single tracks, exposed ridgelines and rocky trails. The ride is filled with big climbs and big descents and you’ll be rewarded with incredible views over the Snowdonia mountains.
Return to Adventure Parc Snowdonia where there’s a bike wash and the Surfside Deli and Kitchen will be waiting for you! You can also hire all the kit you need from the shop where you’ll find bikes, helmets, pads and gloves.
Beddgelert Forest
Location: Beddgelert
Best for: Newbies and families (including multi-generation families!)
Beddgelert Forest provides a great introduction to mountain biking for anyone new to the sport. The forest is relatively small with easy off-road trails leaving from Beddgelert Forest Car Park.
Lon Gwyrfai Trail is a popular route for both mountain bikers and walkers. It’s just under 8km with stony tracks and a gradual incline. There are two other great trails for beginners; Derwen Trail is 9.5km and Bedwen is 4km.
Head to 1085 Adventures if you need to hire bikes and protective equipment. You can get information about routes or hire a mountain biking guide. The shop is based in the Forest Holidays campsite and has direct access into Beddgelert Forest. The friendly team are welcoming and supportive and show you the ropes no matter what your mountain biking ability is. They even have an electric all-terrain mobility scooter to hire! While it may not be able to keep up with the mountain bikes, it’s a fantastic option for anyone with mobility issues who wants to enjoy the beauty of the forest. The Tramper can take on slopes, bumps, tree roots, soft ground and mud so there’s nothing stopping the whole family enjoying an adventure together.
If you’d like to make this a full family day out then combine your mountain biking adventure with a ride on the Welsh Highland Railway. These beautiful heritage trains are a great way to relax and enjoy the scenery after an adrenaline-fuelled morning on a bike!
Revolution Bikepark
Location: Llangynog
Best for: Experienced mountain bikers
This incredible, uplift-assisted bike park in Oswestry takes mountain biking in North Wales to a whole new level. The park is set in 120 acres of private woodland at the foot of the Berwyn Mountain range. And its also home to some of the best downhill and freeride trails in the UK.
Whether you enjoy steep, technical trails, fun, flowy routes or manmade surfaced trails, you’re going to find one you love. With berms, tabletops and plenty of jumps and a constantly expanding trail network, there’s always something new to try.
The fast and efficient uplift means you get as much time on your bike as possible with minimum effort. LandRovers and specially designed trailers haul your bike to the top so you can save your energy for the fun part of coming down!
You can hire bikes and protective equipment and coaching is available, whether as part of a group or one-to-one. The park’s seasoned coach is a professional Downhill and Enduro rider as well as a CTC qualified skills instructor. There are a range of courses available depending on your goals.
Newborough Forest and Anglesey
Best for: A scenic ride
Location: Newborough
A bike is the perfect way to explore Anglesey and there are two great trails leaving from Newborough Forest Park.
The Bikequest Nature Challenge is a yellow trail meaning it’s family friendly and suitable for beginners. It’s an 8km ride and it’s broken up with 14 information panels. A really interesting way to learn about the area and a good excuse to rest tired legs! There’s also a family activity pack available to download online or from the dispenser in the car park.
The stony roads feature two short climbs and a picnic area half way. The trail is also popular with walkers but it is plenty wide enough to pass one another safely.
Another option is the Corsica Bike Trail, a 10km trail that follows the first half of the Bikequest route before going deeper into the forest. From here you can also join the Lon Las Cefni, a 14.6km route which takes in some of the most beautiful scenery in Anglesey. You’ll ride along the River Cefni, through villages and to Llyn Cefni, a reservoir and local nature reserve.
When you return to Newborough, be sure to spend some time on the beautiful Newborough Beach and keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels in the forest!
One Planet Adventure
Location: Llandegla
Best for: Mixed abilities
One Planet Adventure in Llandegla Forest is home to some of the best man-made mountain bike trails in the UK. The carefully designed trails have been created to cater to different abilities. Green, blue, black and red routes as well as speciality sections to brush up on your skills. This range of trails makes it a great place to go mountain biking if you’re part of a mixed ability group. It’s also brilliant if you’re hoping to improve as the next level is waiting when you’re ready to progress.
The specialist section includes a pump track, skills area and freeride area where you can practice jumps and specific skills whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been doing this for years!
There’s a visitor centre, shop and cafe where you’ll find great coffee and local produce to help you refuel after your ride.
For any non-mountain bikers in your party there are also hiking trails and trail running routes and well behaved dogs are more than welcome. Mountain biking courses are available to take your rides to the next level and there’s a workshop too for any repairs, tweaks or rebuilds.
