LLandegla and what else?

Gwydir (Marin) is alright. There's loads of obvious off piste on the main climb out of the carpark on the Llanrwst side which is easily lapable.

I've heard there's some stuff in the woods by Cwm too but haven't been there myself.

We've stopped on the campsite at the trout farm opposite Llandegla this year, very handy.

As above, lots of offpistey stuff at the Llanwrst end and the end above Betsw too.

Gwydir (Marin) is alright. There’s loads of obvious off piste on the main climb out of the carpark on the Llanrwst side which is easily lapable.

I’ve heard there’s some stuff in the woods by Cwm too but haven’t been there myself.

The main track that crossed the climb is gone, sadly, but there are new steeper runs - particularly through the wall about 2/3rds of the way up.

And about 6 or 7 great little tracks from the top of the climb (some on TF).

Then there's the runs the other way from the Sawbench car park (Granny smasher etc. on TF) and the awesome Rugby Club descent, not on TF but in the same direction.

That usually does me for 5 hours or so of riding.

Coed Cwm was awesome when I went in the dry, dunno about this time of year.

Coed y brenin, antur stiniog, penmachno, marin all within a relativity short drive of llandegla

Try and find an AirB&B near the A5 to put you equidistant between a few of these places.  Marin trail is OK but felt burnt out as there is loads of dull climbing on that one. Penmachno is hit and miss depending on how well its been managed this year, best check their facebook feed to see if its all running well. Coed-y-Brenin gets my vote, really enjoys that place in the past but the furthest away.

Not sure I'd brave Penmachno now, we did it in July and it was wetter than an otter's pocket.

Fun, though, proper challenge.

I like penmachno but it’s been a while and it does get wet

Hard to look past coed y brenin for a location with lots of options

Hard to look past coed y brenin for a location with lots of options

Anyone know the latest news on CyB by the way? Is the cafe / visitor centre still open?

I went to Cwm woods last weekend in the wet, really good fun. Got 8 full runs in on the e-bikes in a few hours. Argotal front, Kryptotal rear worked a treat.

The tracks aren’t too steep (compared to the cheeky Moel Famau ones) so you can ride them a bit quicker.

Lots of stuff in the clwydian range.

And loads more routes here https://flattyres-mtb.co.uk/route-guides/north-wales-mtb-routes/

We always choose the Tweed Valley because it handles the wet weather so well, how does the Gwydr handle the rain riding wise? When you book your trips well in advance this stuff matters 🙂

Loads at cyb and rides pretty well in the wet

CyB is only an hr past Llandegla via Bala and gets my vote. Plenty of options

Are we talking about Cwm woods just south of Dyserth?

I've seen a few bridal paths etc. offroad while riding the tarmac around Hiraddug Road.

Just by Ruallt.

It’s winch and plummet stuff.

Here’s my Strava map from the other day

Might have an explore when visiting family in Prestatyn.

n0b0dy0ftheg0atFree Member
Are we talking about Cwm woods just south of Dyserth?

I built a track there with my mates in the middle 90s. I use to love riding there.

n0b0dy0ftheg0atFree Member
Might have an explore when visiting family in Prestatyn

Link it up with psycho hill on the Offa dyke path and GOP hill for the win.

Will have to try the woods at Cwm. We had a static in Gronant, so did alot on road round there, and now we go camping in Dyserth a couple of times a year. Usually take the CX bike due to flexibility.

how does the Gwydr handle the rain riding wise? When you book your trips well in advance this stuff matters

It's a mixed bag, in my experience.

Some tracks hold up well and others are terrifying.

I'm pretty sure that the Penmachno isn't currently ridable?

Are we talking about Cwm woods

Probably the worst kept secret in north wales. Top quality little tracks! The place has started to get quite busy as word has spread. Last time I was there I had an interaction with a local busy body (yes a dog walker) making BS claims about permits from the land owner and the likes.

Just a cautionary tale. The last easily accessible little hill full of cool tracks that got bigged up all over social media saw bulldozers roll in a few months later, after fleets of T5's bowled up. It even had a pro DH team training juniors there (I won't name names). Anyway that was the end of the story for that place, backed up by police confiscation. The local dog walkers were absolutely jubilant!

Pretty sure that the Penmachno isn’t currently ridable?

Really, how come?  Planning on heading that way this weekend.

FYI - There are signs up around Cwm now saying no mountain bikes. Think the land owner is getting a bit hacked off. Plus the parking is very limited and people seem to think its OK to block the roads.

I would have thought Penmachno is rideable - there are bits you'll get a diversion at any time (some seem to have been a bit more permanent though).  The wonky bridge was well dodgy three years ago and I believe it's totally broken these days.

Be prepared for a bike strip down and service after riding it. Disappearing the bike and my legs to thigh level was 'fun', especially when you hit it at speed and vanish into the bog.  Came out looking like a bog monster.

Penmachno? Is that the one where you ride uphill for a few hours and finally get back to where you're parked?

Penmachno - yes, but chuck in riding in a river uphill on narrow trails, occasionally crossing waterfalls and streams, then disappearing into the biggest puddles you've ever seen.

The last bit to the car park is fun, but you'll be passed caring by then and knackered/wet.

Oh and did anyone mention it's 'wet'. I thought they were kidding, but nope, very true. Compared to Gwydir that holds up well, although I'd not want to do some of the rocky bits in the wet.

I would have thought Penmachno is rideable

You'd genuinely have more fun with a canoe.

The place has started to get quite busy as word has spread. Last time I was there I had an interaction with a local busy body (yes a dog walker) making BS claims about permits from the land owner and the likes.

The estate have introduced a permit system for access to the woods (even for dog walking!), but it doesn't seem well policed. The gamekeeper was going around asking people for their permits, but seems to have given up. If you meet someone up there with a couple of springer spaniels, it might be me 🙂

FYI – There are signs up around Cwm now saying no mountain bikes. Think the land owner is getting a bit hacked off. Plus the parking is very limited and people seem to think its OK to block the roads.

Yes, it has got stupid busy - (even 12 months ago). I'm surprised and slightly shocked to see it being considered as a 'destination' on this forum. There was a serious injury there (last year?) and I though that would be the end of it, but it's still going. I don't think it can be sustainable with the numbers of people & vehicles turning up there these days.

Gop hill is very limited since storm Arwyn dropped a lot of trees there - the track down from the top has been totally impassable by bike since.

Been at CyB today, sopping wet but very rideable if slippery thanks to all that rock.

My previous experience of Penmachno is that I would have needed SCUBA gear.

Marin trail tomorrow morning!