Get your fix of singletrack fun and downhill action at Cwmcarn’s mountain bike trails. Cwmcarn is less than half an hour’s drive from the Prince of Wales Bridge and just 10mins from J28 of the M4.
The wild and more natural contouring singletrack trails are ‘Cafall’ and legendary ‘Twrch Trail’. Both Red graded trails will keep you firmly focused on your riding, but stop for a breather and look about and you’ll be looking out over the Bristol Channel.
Ps Cycles Shop is on site located in the main car park next to the mountain bike trails entrance. offering bike hire, bike servicing, mountain bike skills days, bike and accessories sales. Visit the Ps Cycles website
Sometimes mountain bike trails are closed or diverted whilst maintenance work or other operations are underway at Cwmcarn Forest. Please follow any diversion signs or instructions from staff on site. For information on current closures or trail diversions, go to the Natural Resources Wales website by following this link – https://naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/south-east-wales/cwm-carn-forest/?lang=en
Follow the Forest Cycle Code
- Don’t rely on others: Can you get home safely? Carry the right equipment and know how to use it.
- For your own safety: Always wear the right safety clothing, at least a cycle helmet and gloves.
- Only cycle within your abilities: Only tackle jumps and other challenges if you are sure you can do them, have a look first! Train properly especially for difficult and technical routes.
- On and off road: Expect the unexpected – watch out for other visitors. For your own and others safety always follow warning signs and any advice you are given. If a vehicle is loading timber, stop and wait for the driver to let you pass safely
Cafall Trail
Climbing to altitudes over 400 metres, this trail gives you a real sense of adventure. Tough climbs and tight hand-built single-track sections combine with some fantastic steep and technical descents (Watch out for the Hideout, Rocky Valley, Heartbreak Ridge and Powder House sections) all delivering a fantastic ‘natural’ feel for more experienced riders only. You will be rewarded with some amazing riding and stunning views of the surrounding area on a trail that takes you out in to some of the most remote areas of Cwmcarn Forest. You will need to be self-sufficient and expect weather changes on this tough and challenging 'Red graded' trail. Trail Grade - Red Difficult
Twrch Trail
This is a superb trail of the very highest quality that is not for the faint hearted. Virtually the entire route is on a purpose built single-track. The riding varies from open and flowing hard pack to tight technical and rooty and is rideable in all weather. In places the trail hugs the sides of some very steep wooded side slopes, demanding concentration, whilst in others it sweeps along open ground giving you the chance to take in dramatic views of the Bristol Channel and the surrounding hills. Trail Grade - Red Difficult
Y Mynydd Downhill Trail
Y Mynydd Downhill isn't for the faint-hearted. Loads of berms, a few switch backs, doubles, a tunnel, rock steps, the bridge, hip jump, then there's the quarry gap if you've got the guts, and the bottom section which is just nuts, totally flat out. Designed by Phil Saxena of 'Full Contact Racing' and built by local riders including Rowan Sorrell, means this is one of the best downhill venues in the UK. The course is split into two runs, the 2-light run and the 3-light run, which merge about a third of the way down the mountain. The 2-light run is the easier of the two so that's the best place to start if its your first time. The 3-light run should be left to the more experienced rider as it's a bit steeper in places. The whole course is rollable, as long as you're careful. There are some really big jumps at Cwmcarn, but you can easily go round them if you want to. However, if you do like to fly then you're in for a real treat. Trail Grade - Bike Park Extreme
Pedalhounds Trail
Access to the ‘Pedalhounds’ Black-graded trail is either via the Cafall XC trail or the onsite uplift service. It is an optional linear cross-country trail but requires much higher advanced riding skills and equipment than a Red-graded XC trail.
Which mountain bike trail is right for you?
Mountain biking is a potentially hazardous activity carrying a significant risk. It should only be undertaken with a full understanding of all inherent risks. These guideline must always be used in conjunction with the exercise of your own experience, intuition and careful judgement.
Ratings of trails at Cwmcarn Forest
All of our trails require riders to be highly experienced with proficient mountain bike skills.
