The school holidays are nearly here, which means there’s lots of time to fill keeping the children entertained and getting them outdoors as much as possible. With it being the Year of Discovery here in Wales make some time to explore our legendary landscapes while mountain biking some of the best trails in the UK and beyond.
To help you out with deciding what trails to choose from we’ve put together this handy guide. With our very own unique categories for your children, we create the list, you decide where you go 😉
Enjoy and happy biking:
The I’m still on my stabilisers child
Along the Seafront – Rhyl, North Wales
A semi-urban route mostly on surfaced paths, this route is ideal for families looking for some urban riding with the option to stop at the beach. The route is mostly on traffic-free cycle paths and rights of way, but sections of road are used to link it all together.
Rheilffordd – Afan Forest Park
A gentle trail follows the flat route of an old railway track. You can choose to do as much or as little as you want and a great spot to start the trail is at Rhyslyn Car Park
The I won’t cycle anywhere if I don’t have cake child
Llandegla Green – Coed Llandegla
A waymarked route of approximately 5km developed specifically with families in mind. The route allows riders to ascend gently from the car park, through the forest and on to the reservoir, with its views of the Clwydian Range.
After cycling around the reservoir, the route meanders back to the Visitor Centre, where you’ll find that cake!
This 10.8 km trail takes in some of the most picturesque parts of the River Mawddach. You will pass the gold mines of Gwynfynedd and go along the length of the river valley. One for all the family to enjoy. It’s a relatively low level route on forest roads with no singletrack sections, but includes a short section of constructed track leading from the centre.
The lets sit back and watch the kids tire themselves out on the skills area
Y Ffowndri Skills Area – Coed y Brenin
Including the Training Zone and Singletrack Zone, this is wehre to head if you’re new to mountain biking or want to learn those essential, off-road riding techniques, then this is the place to start.
Rookie Trail Skills Area – Afan Forest Park
Located on the Rookie trail the route incorporates an optional skills area which provides an opportunity for riders to develop their technical skills by riding berms and small steps.
Parc Sgilian – Bwlch Nant Yr Arian
The skills area is the newest addition at Bwlch Nant Yr Arian. It’s tucked away in a quiet corner and comprises of 3 different skills areas. Features include rollers, step ups, berms, tabletops, hips and bowls. All tracks are rollable so it is suitable for different ages and abilities.
The lets go and escape to the woods trails –
Named after the oak woodland it effortlessly flows through, the 9.2 km Derwen trail gives the inexperienced off-road rider a unique introduction to the world of mountain biking. Weaving through the forest you will encounter some lovely scenery and flowing terrain in what has until now been one of Wales’s best kept secrets.
Bod Petryal – Clocaenog Forest
A short route, which meanders through the forest and is perfect for young families, with ample parking and toilet facilities at the start point. This area of Clocaenog forest is one of the last places in Wales to spot the rare Red Squirrel. A really pleasant area of Clocaenog forest, and a the lake is a lovely location to enjoy a picnic after your bike ride.
The they’ve mastered the greens – what’s next
*these are blue graded trails and you should assess if your child (and you )are ready for the grade
Find your own adventure in the ancient woods of oak and keep an eye on the trail for not so tiny ants! A short section of ‘B’ road takes you cross-country to link up with the Wye Valley. Rolling through scenic Mid Wales lanes you can enjoy a downhill finish back to Cwmdauddwr and Rhayader.
Sixtapod is probably our most iconic trail on the BikePark Wales mountain. Riders of any ability can enjoy this trail. It starts in the open on rocky ground and then enters the woods to take in a series of jumps, rollers and berms. Stand by the side of this trail and listen to the laughs of other riders heading down the hill. Definitely a classic.
As it swoops through ancient woodland laced with Bluebells during the spring time Blue Belle is a roller coaster trail that takes you from the mid road down to the visitor centre. Huge carving berms and giant rollers are sure to give you your adrenalin fix for the day.
The MinorTaur is 9km long and one of the most popular trails at Coed y Brenin. It’s a great fun introduction to mountain biking catering for a wide range of ages and abilities. There are 3 loops which get progressively longer so you can choose the distance you want to ride. The trail includes stone steps, table tops and swooping berms and is graded as blue
To search the full list of trails on offer head to our trails page and browse, enjoy and head out on the bike. Or planning a mtb holiday in Wales then head to our facilities page which is full of accommodation, bike hire and guiding.