Penhydd

Start - Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Trail stats

Distance - 14km
Time - 1.5 - 3hrs
Climb - 550m
Grade - Red/Difficult

This is a very varied trail which combines forest road climbs with tight, technical, switchback trails through mixed woodland. The open, flowing singletrack also crosses young plantations opening up fantastic views.

Big climbs followed by technical descents mean that this trail can be difficult and is exposed to bad weather on high ground.

Y Wal - The Wall

Start - Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Trail stats

Distance - 23km
Time - 1.5 - 3hrs
Climb - 450m
Grade - Red/Difficult

Some of the best singletrack descents in the UK, the trail essentially traverses the North side of the Afan Valley on singletrack, varying from fast, open and flowing to tight, technical and rooty.

Great views of the valley and coastline open out at different points, and in places the steep-sided slopes can feel exposed.

The approach to the singletrack shares a section of the lower level family cycleway and the disused railway line, so please ride with consideration for the many other forest users.

W2

Start - Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre or Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre

Trail stats

Distance - 44km
Time - 4-7hrs
Climb - 975m
Grade - Black/Severe

This another giant of a trail for Afan Forest Part at 44km, but unlike the Skyline it has a watering hole halfway round.

Whether you kick – off from Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre of Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre, the other centre is your halfway service station for food, drink and a well deserved break.

The trail combines Afan's existing 'Y Wal' and 'White's Level' trails (hence the name W²). A high level link connects these trails, with some fantastic views of both the Afan and Neath Valleys for you to enjoy.

White's Level

Start - Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre

Trail stats

Distance: 17 km
Time: 1.5 - 3hrs
Climb: 525 m
Grade: Red/Difficult

This is the most technical of all the trails in Afan Forest Park and is 90% purpose built singletrack.

A 6km sheep track climb gives fantastic views of Afan Forest Park, extreme exposure on tight singletrack means ultimate thrills and long, demanding descents with rocky steps to negotiate, all leading to one outrageous trail.

If you are up for it try out the optional new Black Run, graded black/severe!

Skyline

Start - Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre

Trail stats

Distance: 46 km
Time - 5-7hrs
Climb - 2000m
Grade - Red/Difficult

Skyline is a giant of a ride. Ensure you and your equipment are fully prepared for an epic skyline ride. 

Sharing the same sheep-track ascent as White's Level and continuing on long, forest road climbs with sweet, flowing technical singletrack descents you will be treated to stunning skyline views of Brecon Beacons, the Preselis, the Black Mountains and the South Wales coast.

This route will test your stamina and your nerve, with technical singletrack such as the 'On the Edge' and'Excalibur' sections. Your reward will be out-stretched views and a nerve-tingling, rocky, 6km singletrack descent back into Glyncorrwg. There are also 2 short cut loops built into the trail.

You will experience exposure at altitudes up to 600 metres, and possible extreme weather changes. Again, be prepared.

Blade

Start - Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre

Trail stats

Distance - 20-30km
Time - 2.5 hrs
Climb - 570m
Grade - Red/Difficult

The 23km Blade trail opened in 2014 and is a fantastic addition to the Afan Forest Park trail network. With lots of great new singletrack sections combined with some of the well-established ‘classics’ You can also access the Skyline ‘Loop’ from the Blade trail with stunning views over the Brecon Beacons its a fantastic addition to the Blade if you’re looking for a longer day with some real ‘classics’ sections like Peregrine Ridge and Jetlag, the Blade & Skyline loops are both great trails for more experienced riders.

It shares the same sheep track climb out of Glyncorrwg with the White’s Level trail to access higher and more remote section of the forest with amazing views over the Brecon Beacons before you drop back over the hill for some flowing descents and tough technical climbs before the open final descent back down to Glyncorrwg after this 23km red graded trail. Those looking for a longer loop can take in the Skyline Loop to add over 20km of riding and some amazing singletrack sections.

Rookie

Start - Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Trail stats

Distance: 5-10 km
Time: 30 mins
Climb: 158 m
Grade: Green

A winding and meandering trail for children, families and newcomers to mountain biking. A chance to build and develop your mountain bike skills. The trails are wide and picnic areas can be found along the way which are perfect for enjoying the views and your packed lunch. A brilliant family day out.

The green/blue Rookie route is a relatively low level route with wide trails. The route incorporates an optional skills area which provides an opportunity for riders to develop their technical skills by riding berms and small steps.

At the end of the green trail there is an optional 2.3km blue-graded loop which provides a taster for those wishing to progress. The blue loop is an additional 2.3km and climbs 250m which will take approximately 45mins to 1hr of riding.

Blue Scar

Start - Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Trail stats

Distance: 5-10 km
Time: 1 hr
Climb: 177 m
Grade: Blue

Taking its name from the mining history of the valley it sits in, the 7km Blue Scar moderate-graded trail is designed as a ‘progression’ for riders who are very competent on Green trails and want to start looking at getting out on more remote and challenging trails.

Climbing out of the Visitor Centre the trail might ask you to dig deep at times but you will be rewarded with some amazing views and with few technical features a really fun-packed swoopy return down the other side of the valley. Watch out for the odd steeper sections in there to help you develop your skills and confidence too. All in all a fantastic 7km trail to progress your riding and introduce you to the real Afan trail network!

Map of all Trails in Afan

Start - Afan Lodge