Will be staying in a campsite near Dolgellau next weekend for three nights. Thinking of hitting up Coed Y Brenin for at least a full day, maybe two. Then also wanting to do ClimachX (It was amazing the last time I rode it which was years ago). Then maybe taking the one hour drive from Dolgellau out to Nant Y Arian for a loop there. Not making a schedule but want to have an idea of what's worth going to. I have ridden there 5 or 8 years ago maybe and enjoyed it.
Current conditions? Anyone rate NYA over ClimachX or vice versa? I know sometimes trails can get terrible if not maintained and ridden lots. Whats are the must ride trails in CYB. I'll be with my girlfriend who is a fairly confident red trail rider, she's on hardtail though to nothing extremely and extensively rocky please. Cheers.
Have a look at the Mach 3 trail as well, it's a nice open trail that takes you into very quiet hills, nice little downhill, feels remote for a good chunk of it.
Cheers I'll add that to the list.
Rode NYA and Climach 18 months ago. I'd 100% say go to Climach. NYA is OK and they've put in a pump track but I found it a fairly dated trail center with a lot of fire road, more like a poor natural ride than a trail center. Climach is much more fun and has a lot of hidden stuff if you want.
Climach is closer to Dolgellau too.
CYB - do the Beast!
I've only been once, really enjoyed it, I mean if you go at the right time you get to see massive birds and jet fighters!
I'll be going again soon.
Trail was excellent I thought, the sort of meaty middle of it. was really tight and twisty and fun to (try to) ride fast.
Love Nanty! Climachx descent was a bit ropey last time I did it a couple of years ago - used to ride it a lot, especially as it was self-upliftable, but logging made the top part of the road impassable.
That's a good point, NyA is amazing for red kite feeding, a spectacle that is worth watching for sure
Interesting mix of opinions there!
The 'trail centre' bits are great IMO - Mark of Zorro, High as a Kite (which has been upgraded with massive berms), even the opening section (Italian Job?) are all very entertaining.
If you don't like XC riding - farm/landrover tracks, maybe even a bit of tarmac, then don't bother with the big loop. Everything above the first little lake is of this nature.
Having said that, even a couple of laps of all the trail centre sections is a worthwhile morning's work, and by the second time up the Legburner climb, you'll probably feel like you've had your money's worth.
I really like Nant Y Arian - went last summer and did a day there, before CYB and Climachx. Did the summit trail (I think) - anyway..the one ending with High as a Kite.
Did the long exposed one before and ran out of water. Would have been nice otherwise!
They are all good in their own way.
To put a spanner in the works - Is Penmachno worth the extra 30 minute or so diversion from the ferry?
Nant Y Arian is definitely worth doing. If I were you I'd do a day at Nant and on the way there or back stop off at Climachx and just ride up the fire road to do the main descent, you don't miss much by only doing that and will only take 45 min at most.
If you haven't done Climachx for a few years you're going to be freaked out by the fact all the trees have been felled around most of the main descent - feels like a totally different trail.
NuA has the Reaper too. Although that may not be one for the Mrs based on your description.
Was just about to say, search out the reacher trail if you like a bit of tech! It's not really in keeping with the rest of the trail though 🙂
I never found the Reaper trail when i was last there 2 years ago. Though a friend said i was close after looking at my gps track.
Has it become easier to find?
Not really, you have to lift your bike over a fence, and ride through a petrified wood. Then you come across a big sign with Reaper on (no joke!)