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Planning on going down to Afan tomorrow, not sure which trail to do. We have never been to a trail centre before and most of our riding is done at Swinley forest.
So I'd like to know which one you recommend for being the most fun.
We would have considered one of the longer ones but as we are getting there by train, we only get to port talbot at about 11, which I understand is about an hours ride away.
Does anyone know if there is a bus that goes towards afan?
Are the trails well way marked or will I need a map?
All recommendations and help is much appreciated 😀
Cheers
The trails are all well signed. White's is nearly all singletrack and starts further up the valley at Glyncorrwg, but the final 2 sections are currently closed. it diverts you onto the Skyline descent though, which is a rocky but exhilirating finish. The Wall starts at Afan Forest Park and is a ride of 2 halves, plenty of climbing to start and a mix of fireroad/singletrack, but (imho) has the best descent of any of the trails and there is a shortcut back up so you can have multiple runs of the final bit. Both are great, my vote would be for White's, or if you have the time and fitness, combine them both and do W2.
There is a cycle path from Port Talbot to Pontrhydfen which is very near the end of the Wall level. At Ponrhydyfen, find the Rhyslyn car park and take the left fork towards the trails. Depending how much time you have to ride around at Afan you have a couple of options- the Wall on its own will take 1 1/2 to 2 hours for a first timer. If you have longer, you could carry on the fire road past the first wall climb and do the Whytes climb instead. That climb is more interesting than the Wall climbs and you emerge at the top of Whytes level.
Then you have a few options- the skyline descent then reclimb Whytes; go down the black run, do Windy Point and maybe Energy before going over the link road to the Wall to do the descending trails over there. You will finish not far from Pontrhydyfen and a roll back to the train station.
The Whytes bits would add another 2ish hours to the ride depending on which trails you chose to do. The Skyline descent is my pick of the trails up there, but zig zags at the end of the Wall is pretty good as well.
Shame I won't be out for a ride until the afterrnoon, I could have shown you around. Have fun.
Thanks guys, chop chop from the car park, is it easy to get back onto the wall trails, are there signs etc?
Will probably be there from 11, then catch the train back at 7 or 8 before it gets dark, so may be able to do both. 😀
It's easy to get onto The Wall from Rhyslyn Car Park, just go straight ahead through the barrier from the car park (don't go over the bridge) and follow the fireroad until you see the red signposts for The Wall. The river will be on your right. You can pick up a map of the trails from the trail centres, or print them off mbwales.com
As Ryan says, its all pretty easy to navigate from Rhyslyn car park. It is a good idea to print off a map fromthat site as well. As you have quite a few hours up at Afan, let me suggest an alternative route:
Do the wall climb, you will go through 3 gated trails with fireroads in between. At the top, turn right along the fireroad and head for Whytes (signposted as W2) on the link road. When you get to Energy, do that then follow the diversion signs to the Skyline descent. When you get to the bottom, have a break at Glyncorrwg centre where they have a cafe/ shop. Then do Whytes climb, black run/windy point/both, then return over same link road to finish off on the wall descents, more or less where you started at Rhyslyn.
Just saw the weather forecast and it looks wet, Take a spare pair of shorts for the train home, you'll be muddy!
i was planning to ride/bus from port talbot a couple of months ago, luckily i had use of a van in the end and im glad i did. wouldnt fancy that ride after riding a trail or 2.
i rode the wall and fell in love with the views and the trail, will be back later this year.
Ryanctj
Hi there where is the short cut back to the top mate as I agree the final decent is awesome
Cubeetc, head back towards the start of the wall and there is a track heading off towards the left signposted as a walking track, takes you back to the Bryn Bettws cabins. You deserve an extra biscuit if you can pedal the whole way up!
Thank u I'll give it a try
Given the current state of Afan with all the closures on Whites my preferred route is to start from Glyncorrwyg, do the whites climb, use the crossover W2 link road at the top, do the Wall descent, then ride along the cyclepath next to the river to get back to the start. For me it combines the best of whats currently open in the area.
Looks like I'll be going on Tuesday/ wednesday instead, as my friends don't like rain..