MBWales - Twrch

Twrch

Trail name: Twrch
Centre:Cwm Carn
Distance:18km
Climbing:300m
Time:1.5 - 2.5 hrs

"You might expect to see a Hobbit while you’re ducking and weaving up alongside the beautiful wooded stream at the start but only a Lord of the lungs isn’t going to be breathing out of their ring by the top! Payback is fantastic though, with the optional freeride park start leading into mile after mile of swooping speeder bike singletrack. Oh hang on, that’s another film…."

Map Download:

Twrch Trail (PDF) Click to download.

Red Trail Grade (Difficult)

Nine and a half miles of heart-racing climbs and heart- stopping drops, of the cheekiest twists and turns, of trees stumps, rocks, mud and glory - welcome to the Twrch Trail.

The Cwmcarn Trail climbs dramatically from dense woodland out onto open ridges with 15.5km of almost pure single track, this really is one of Wales’ hidden gems, and best of all the trails are free and can be ridden all year.

The Whyte bikes sponsored Twrch Trail at Cwm Carn is a purpose built 18km singletrack loop. We'll warn you know that nearly all the climbing is done in the first few km, some of it pretty technical and taxing on the legs. Don't give up though as once you're up the top the swooping, roller coaster singletrack back down again is more than reward enough. The trail is fast, flowing and very natural in feel, but first time round don't go crazy as there are some sections of real exposure on the edges of very steep hillside towards the end.

Any regular mountain bike will be fine for these trails. Just make sure the gears are working and there's plenty of life left in your brake blocks. As the trails are largely cut into stable base geology, there are only a few mud patches even in deepest winter but a Crud Catcher or similar will keep your face filth free.

Trail Reviews:

"Super all weather XC route. Punishing, technical initial
climb, jumpy play trails, retina rattling gulleys, flowing singletrack, rabid and rapid off camber penultimate descent, fast as you like 'bobsleigh with air' final descent.
This trail cannot fail to put a smile on your face (as well as a couple of grimaces)."

Pete from Ross on Wye

"Having ridden almost all the wales mtb centres apart from the very north Gwydyr etc , Cwmcarn ranks up there with the best. I did the loop alone at 7am in beautfiul sunshine, stunning sceanery especially given the proximity to Newport.

Freeride section at the top is super fun on any hardtail and does not require a sepcialist rig, the descents more than make up for the horrid climb for the first couple of miles"
Marc from London

"The punishing up hill start really takes it out of you, but it's one hell of a ride after! Superb technical challenges and plenty of hooning potential - watch out for the tree roots in the wet - they get a bit slippy!!"

Nic from Cardiff

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MBWales - Twrch

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Twrch