| From |
Distance
climb |
Route Description
The Gap
Map: Outdoor leisure 11
Distance: 51K
Ride time: Approx 5 Hrs
Ride Standard:Tough
Good endurance needed, some technical down hill.
Ride over view: This route is one that regularly appears in many bikes mag's and guide books for the Brecon Beacons, probably because it's the highest legal point in South Wales you can get on an MTB.
Often they describe the ride starting in Talybont and heading up the Gap
in the opposite direction, which due to erosion makes much of the climb
unridable.
The climb back from Talybont can be deceptively tiring, the gradual incline on rough surface make's for tired legs. It's the last climb of the ride. Followed by 6k decent home.
I would not recommend this route when there's likely to be many walkers around. The Gap road can get very crowed |
| Hobo |
7K
+130mtr |
From clock through town, L at lights, passed HQ hair dresser, down road at round about use pelican crossing go past garage. Road winds round pass chip shop and pub on RHS, at Phone box turn R. Over bridge through gate onto track up on to open land. At junction with disused rail track turn L follow to Trefil, R at road junction pass pub (phone on RHS). Open land stay on tarmac into quarry. Through entrance pass heaps of gravel on RHS. Turn R onto Bridleway marked with large stones and Land-rover tracks, on to moor land. Follow tracks for about 1.75k towards rock out crop. Turn L onto Dolygaer track, (SP) in rock out crop. Stay on track approx 2K to gate |
| Tredegar |
6.5
+100Mtr |
At bottom of hill through gate on LHS gets more technical. Pass out-door centre. Under rail bridge on to tarmac bear R to reservoir, R onto B road. 50mtr to picnic site pass converted chapel, follow road for 2k. L at SP for Lower Neuadd reservoir |
| Trefil |
6
-200Mtr |
2k to reservoir. Pass RUPP Sign Post stay on road for 500mtr take next R onto stone track to the top. Long climb. |
| Reservoir |
7.5
+250Mtr |
Steep down levels out after 300mtrs. 2k take LHS on grass. Through gate 1k down road joins tarmac. R @ T junction, blind bends, Watch dogs in farm, L@ T junction, into Llanfrynach, follow Taff Trail signs R opposite church, 200mtrs R@T junction 1.5K to Pencelli. Road to Talybont |
| The Gap |
7.5
+250Mtr |
R @Swan pub cross canal steep bridge, on to b'way,. Track crosses at 2.5k keep going up, 500 mtr another track crossing keep going up! R @top Gate, R to sign post 200mtr |
| Talybont |
5.5
+250Mtr |
Bear L down to forestry gate, follow b'way sign on RHS. (Not through gate).Follow fence on your LHS, trees down go through it, 50mtrs track on LHS, 500mtr over style, note WARNING sign Subsidence. Muddy track cut up by cattle, Track gets very narrow after 2k with big drop on LHS, 1k over steel style, 500mtr join tarmac, to Trefil |
| Trefil Quarry |
5.75
-10Mtr |
From Trefil , retrace route to start |
TOP
Parc Cwm darren
Deri Valley, next to the Rhymney Valley.EASY |
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map:OS 171
Distance:3K
Time:45mins
Ride standard:Easy
This pretty Country Park tucked away in the Rhymney Valley contains
a lake, Visitor center with cafe and there's also a BMX track adjacent
to the cycle track to Bargoed.
This ride can be made as easy or as hard as you wish. In the forestry
above the lake there are more tracks to explore. Some of the climbs
can be tough followed by technical down hills. The cycle track
extends to Bargoed (approx 7K). |
| Info Centre |
1K
-10mtr
+50mtr |
Cycle track starts behind Info centre. Follow for 1K, ends at BMX track Compulsory circuit! From BMX track take track to right of lake, track forks left returns to info centre. Right climbs 750mtrs up into forest on good surface track through a gate which is some times closed |
|
6.5
-30Mtr
-10Mtr |
Junction of tracks at top bear left, along level for 500mtr. Through gate Look for small muddy land-rover track on left. Technical down hill. Over style cross bridge take track to Info centre. |
TOP
The Rock
Sirhowy Valley MEDIUM |
| From |
Distance
|
Map:OS 160 + 171 0r Explorer 166 & Outdoor Leisure 13
Distance: (19 Miles) 30K, Total Climb = 340mtr
Ride time :3Hrs
Skill level:MEDIUM
This is one of my favourite routes, which I ride regularly. There is always
some thing different, new bits I keep finding. The original route was
under 20 Miles it's now over 22+. I've found a lot more single track,
there's a whole range of options to this route description. |
| Hobo |
7K
|
From Hobo, Down road beside MOTOR WORLD. Through underpass, up steep
hill for 500mtrs. L onto major rd, 2.25k R onto track,
1.5k L follow track through cycle gate, track snakes round and
climbs up. R under overhead cable follow single track, R
onto minor road, over cattle grid. SA at X road onto unmade road,
1st R to fence follow fence left to go through gate. SA
to drained reservoir, R to ride the old dam walls, down then
up break in wall to steps DISMOUNT. Cross wall by fence, continue on
culvert track wall for 0.5K to edge of forestry. Bear right down to
join forestry track, L onto forestry track for 0.5K, L
at T junction onto rough track, over cattle grid up to Manmoel Rd. |
| The Doman |
22K
|
R onto Manmoel rd for 3.25K (Or climb hill in front of you, follow
track along ridgeway R to rejoin rd) over cattle grid, R
at fork, R at X road follow track round. Starts to get steeper
and surface turns to scree! L at X-track.(through forestry gate)
Down for 2.25K. R onto concrete road, follow across bridge L
over bankment onto disused railway line, follow for 3.5K, R200mtrs
after bridge over small road onto minor road up hill SA at X road,
SA at next X road continue to top. R at Tjunction opposite
pub. (there's another pub closer to church). 1K to mini round about at
Markham village,SA pass water tower over cattle grid 1st R
onto minor road, (if your descending you've missed the turning) through
stone walled section for 1K over cattle grid, R onto track to climb
towards ridge way, start of track is not clear and unmarked on maps! Track
bears to the RHS of the highest points, at dip between second &
third peak bear R towards edge look for track skirting the edge.
Follow sheep track towards it aim for edge of mountain and track, you’ll
find another narrow track leading over edge of mountain, at broken drag
wheel follow track 90o L down track SA at first track, R
at 2nd obvious track for approx 100mtr L towards phone box & radio
mast (there’s no track to it) to find style, cross road down to Bedwellty
Pits, L onto disused railway follow to Tredegar bypass, back on
bypass to Tredegar. |
TOP
Pontsarn Reservoir
Brecon Beacons Central Region EASY |
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map: Outdoor Leisure 11
Distance: 9.5Mls (15.25K)
Ride time 2hr
This ride aimed at beginners was the first in a series I put together
for the national park. It's a popular route, a ride for all the family.
With great views, ice cream shop & pub and the steam railway. |
| Pontsarn Pub Car Park |
7K
+130mtr |
Looking at pub from CP, path to Taff trail is on left, steep down
to join Taff trail. Turn R, under bridge, cross viaduct, through gate.
At 1.75k Trail joins road, Gate on R turn left, sharp bend under tunnel,
Watch for cars! Down on road for 1k , take R at Fork climb up hill |
| Road |
2.5
+30Mtr
+40Mtr |
Follow road left at Dam, cross dam, R through barrier climb up road.
At top of road through gap between wall and trees. R on to road for
50mtrs, L onto forest track, marked Taff Trail. Gentile up for 1.5 k.
Good views over Reservoir |
| Forestry track |
6
-15Mtr |
Track narrows, Look for path on RHS of rock, Down steep, note warning,
cross narrow bridge, which can be slippery and contain people and cyclist
coming other way! |
| Rejoin road |
2K
+40
-85 |
Up steep from bridge, then down, after 700mtr Track bears left up,
loose gravel on bend don’t go straight on! After next summit down for
Approx 2k through Green barrier L onto road. Keep reservoir on RHS,
go Straight on R hand bend across bridge, up road. CAUSION At Railway
bridge bear right down steep track to reservoir, slippery narrow surface
HI risk of falling into water! |
| Single track |
3.5
+10Mtr |
Single track, Up to railway fence line follow until joining sailing
club road after. At Dam retrace steps to PUB. |
TOP
|
Deri Valley, part of the Rhymney Valley MEDIUM
|
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map: OS 161 & 171
Distance: 16.5K
Time:1.5hr
Ride Standard: MEDIUM
There are many possibilities to change this route by linking it with other routes |
| Hobo |
3K
+90mtr |
From town clock, head up road. 1st left by Barclays bank, onto B4256.
Road starts to climb as you pass Rugby Club on RH bend. Climb up 60m
for 1k. Road bears right at top, then open road down to Rhymney 2K. |
| Rhymney |
1K
+100Mtr |
Over cattle grid, pass TA pub on RHS, turn left pass Puddles Arms
pub 500m down to T junction turn left. Go under railway bridge, turn
right onto main road then left to face steep up, 100mtr up in 500mts.
Straight at X road for 1K, take dirt track on RHS. Look for overhead
cables turn right down hill to forestry gate. |
| Pontlottyn |
1.5
-100Mtr |
Follow overhead cables down through forest. Pass stone ruins, keep
going down on forestry track. Right at junction, follow for 100mtrs,
turn left onto narrow mud track down to style. Over style cross river
follow track to park buildings. |
| Parc Cwm Darren |
5K
+40Mtr |
Take Cycle track behind buildings to Bargoed, crosses one road. Look
for foot bridge across track turn left just before it. Steep down to road(Advise
walk to junction). Turn right for 600mtr turn Left at road junction under
rail bridge. Cross river, 100mtr turn left before Travelers rest on to
cycle track(no SP). |
| Bargoed |
3K
+0Mtr |
Track crosses road in 2K, stay on track, track joins road keep straight
750 mtr. At X road right then left, pass pub on its rhs. Climb gently,
go through green gate. Stay on track for ??K. (Look for quarry on RHS).
Track joins road on bend go straight. |
| New Tredegar |
5.5
+150Mtr
-120 |
Keep climbing on road for 2K, through forest, pass Half Way pub. On
to open road, climb ends at junction on rhs keep going for 1k, pass
pond & cemetery. Right At T junction down to Tredegar, retrace route
to clock. |
TOP
| From |
Distance
climb |
Route Description
Northern Sirhowy Valley
Great route, which I
put together quickly for a training course. It's possibly my best effort yet! In the shortest distance there is the maximum variation of terrain. |
| Hobo |
13.5 Miles
mtr |
Map: Outdoor Leisure 13
Distance: 13.5 Miles
Time: 2hrs
Ride Standard: Medium
|
| Cemetery |
Miles
Mtr |
Turn left, go passed clock continue up hill Left into main shopping street. Left at lights follow road for 1K. Left at T junction, 3rd exit at round about. For .75 K, first left, (Phone box on corner). Tarmac ends after bridge crossing A465, cemetery on left. Continue on rough track through gate. |
| Bevan Stones |
Miles?
Mtr |
Right on to disused rail line for .3K, Before fence/gate turn L follow track up to gate through gate at end of track, Cross road turn Right, left at round about, Right Immediately after bridge, over mud mound on to open land. Follow track to top of hill. (Take bearing on the Ni Bevan Standing Stones) Left at top follow tracks to standing Stones. |
| Scotch Peter Reservoir |
Miles?
Mtr |
From Car park cross road, up road opposite to top, Right on to cycle track,
then Left to follow single under overhead power cables. Right to rejoin
road Right at Xroad. Over cattle grid left onto forestry road by Aerial.
Follow track around disused reservoir. Watch for big cut out. Carry over
concrete wall by railing at end of track. |
| Hobo |
13.5 Miles
?Mtr |
Continue on single track for 1.5K through forest, Left on to hard pack forestry track. Road gets very rocky, there is a large dump of loose rock blocking road round rock continue on rocky track. Left at Tjunction with rough track, through cattle grid to cross Manmoel road. Straight over, Right at first track, follows contour line around mountain. Through gate, continue down on track, joins other track coming up, Start climbing for 2k. Track switches back(right) and gets steeper to top.At top, follow ridge North along top, down steep to rejoin Xroad with Manmoel Rd. Return via Forestry or Manmoel Rd, Left on to road at 2nd bend, go straight on to track. Follow track to right down steep onto road behind houses to T junction. Left onto road down hill to bend. At bend follow path straight on under bypass, straight up one way road to Hobo. |
TOP
Route Description
Trefil Quarries
It's an easy ride to the quarry, there's a lot of great stuff to explore, specially
for the expert rider. Take care as some of the rock along the edges of
cliff's can be lose |
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map: Outdoor Leisure 13
Distance: 21.5K
Time:1.5hr
Ride Standard: Easy
This ride uses an old disused railway line known as the mineral line,
or as the Cart Road, which originally took stone from the quarries to
Tredegar or Ebbw Vale. The views of the heads of three valleys are clearly
seen, looking north the peaks of Pen Y Fan and Cribin. The background
picture of our main MTB page is from the quarry looking down the Dufrin
Crawn Valley.
The Quarries have many of tracks running through them, which make great
MTB trails. It's also a favourite spot for local MTB Trials riders |
| Hobo |
7.5K
mtr |
From town clock head uphill to shops. L through shopping area. L at
lights then R passed HQ hair dresser, down road to round about. Use pelican
crossing go past garage. Road winds round, pass chip shop and pub on RHS,
at Phone box turn R. Over road bridge through gate onto track up on to
open land. At junction with disused rail track turn L follow to end of
rail line, down to tarmac road, R at road junction pass pub (phone on
RHS). |
| Disused Railway line |
5K
Mtr |
Stay on road to quarries. There are other tracks which run parallel
to this road. Once in the quarry there are loads of play spots. To make
a loop Keep going on road, surface changes from tarmac to gravel, pass
tarmac road on left climb up on left hand bend, Left at fork aim towards
gravel hoppers steep down hill bear left at bottom this joins road you
started on, Turn right to go home. |
| Trefil Quarry |
9K
Mtr |
Retrace steps to Trefil. Option to either retrace steps back via railway
line or stay on road for 5-6 miles. Turn left before round about, use
under-pass to cross A465 road. Straight at round about, follow road, last
right before round about, this road leads to traffic lights in town. Straight
at lights, down hill to clock tower |
TOP
Route Description
This figure of 8 ride takes you into the Talybont area in the central of the National
Park. By changing direction of any loop it can be 3 very different rides.
This is probably one of the best all year round mountain biking areas
of the national park, there's enough tracks to keep you riding for days. |
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map: Outdoor Leisure 11
distance: 13.75K
Time:2hr
Ride Standard: MEDIUM
|
| Hobo |
7K
+70mtr |
From town clock head uphill to shops. L through shopping area. L at lights then R passed HQ hairdressers, down road to round about. Use pelican crossing go past garage. Road winds round, pass shops then pub on RHS, First R after pub at Phone box. Up road, becomes rough track passed cemetery. Through gate onto track up onto open land. At junction with disused rail track turn L follow to end, down to Trefil village, R at road junction pass pub (phone on RHS). Continue on road for 4k to Quarry. |
| Trefil |
4K
-290mtr |
Through quarry, R onto track across moorland (start of track is marked with boulders, first part can be really boggy, gets better shortly). 1K across moor, 1K down rocky track, to Pen Rhiw. Sharp L down track just after sheep feeding pen. 2K down track cross ford. R onto road for 3K to Dam. R to Cross Dam. |
| Dam |
3K
+130Mtr |
L onto Taff Trail, then R onto Bridleway, 3K up to Pen Rhiw. At junction bear left on track down through farm gate, at forestry gate take track to right (NOT through gate). Follow bridleway for approx 2.75K back to the Quarry road. (There are a couple of styles to climb over. At the first there is another bridleway, which takes you down the to the bottom of the Dyffryn Crawnon Valley. It can be an extreme single track! You may do more walking than riding down, then you've got the climb back up!) |
| Trefil |
3K
Mtr |
L on to Quarry road back to Trefil, either follow road back to Tredegar or retrace outward route |
TOP
Route Description
Linear ride to Newport. EASY |
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map: Explorer 166 & Explorer 152
distance: 18K
Time:2.5hr
Ride Standard: Easy
This linear ride to Newport uses disused railway and canal paths,it's
very easy being down hill most of the way to Newport. This can be made
into a longer distance circular route by following the Brecon & Monmouth
canal from Newport to Abergavenny or at Pontypool follow cycle track to
Big Pit. |
| Hobo |
|
From Hobo, Down road beside MOTOR WORLD. Through underpass. Up steep hill (on road). Keep on road for 500mtrs, turn right on to Sirhowy Valley path (known as the Manmoel road, sign posted on LHS). Or for more off road right after sharp bends onto track. Left at next track then right on to forest road for 750mtr, rough stone section, left up forest road to join Manmoel road. |
| Markham |
7K
|
Follow track for approx. 3k. Turn right on track at end of fenced/walled section through double gates (there is a large sheep shed behind and to the right of the gates). Takes you down through pine trees on hard packed surface). Track gets steeper and narrow after green barrier. At bottom you are on disused railway, (In summer the next section can get over grown. To avoid Take first right over river onto main road (A4048) Follow road approx 1mile, turn left down road to Argoed up other side, Right at T junction with new road to join Sirhowy Valley Path). Path follows river to Sirhowy Valley Country Park.Or continue on track for approx 1k, DO NOT cross rail bridge, take track on left to go underneath bridge, steep down small road into Argoed. Left at junction with river bridge up road for 2k Left at next T junction, follow marked cycle track. |
| Sirhowy Valley Country Park |
11K
|
Follow marked cycle path (disused railway) left down track at Nine-mile point/moon house. Turn right on to main road (500mtr) straight on at lights under bridge (750mtr), Turn right into small entrance (300mtr after lights) disused railway, turn left onto small tarmac road (1k) turn right onto canal path. Canal path leads to Newport (9k). |
TOP
Route Description
Linear ride across the valleys of Blaenau Gwent to St Illtyds Church. HARD |
| From |
Distance
climb |
>Map: Leisure 13, Explorer 152
distance: 35K (21Miles)
Time:3hrs
Ride Standard: Medium/Hard
There's a great pub at the end of this ride, "The Carpenters" With warming
log fire is next to the church of St Illtyds. The church is about 800
years old and the site pre dates Christianity!
Tough long climbs rewarded by long technical descents. Climb the Sirhowy Valley side, traverses the Ebbw Valley then finally climbs the Blaenau Valley. Requires a good level of fitness. Very little shelter on mountain tops, which are very exposed in sudden changes of weather.
Usually this is a linear ride but for the fit there is an option to make this a circular route of about 35 or 45+ miles if you include a great down hill section. |
| Hobo |
|
Down road by motor world, through under pass, SA up George town hill first
road left, as road starts climbing after bus stop on R turn R on to track,
L at large track through cycle gate, climb on chipping's track, R at overhead
cables follow single track under cables. R onto road, R at T junction,
L through forestry gate by radio mast, follow track bear R, to disused
reservoir. R to ride on raised track around reservoir steep down steep
up other side of broken dam to low concrete wall, carry bike over empty
sluice, continue on single track to forestry, through forestry L onto
fire road follow to St James reservoir. |
| St James |
13.5K
-370
+170 |
At T junction L up track through cattle grid, R on to Manmoel road, follow for approx 0.5K, L on to grass R on grass track to travel along mountain top for 2K, L at X track, down jeep track, sharp 180 L at bottom, down track through 2 gates R onto tarmac road, R at next junction, L on to main road R at round, L at Park Hotel, R at end of houses, steep up to school follow steep track zig zag up mountain side, through gate up stony track, follow track around to head of valley, up other side, follow rutted jeep tracks for 8K across open mountain top, L at fenced wall, through gate along tree lines avenue on stony track, SA down then steep up follow stone wall on RHS for 0.5k to gate, through gate down narrow stony track. Track switches back a couple of times. In spring/summer bracken can hide track in places.
|
| Festival Park |
19.5K
+100 |
R onto road follow to Abertillery (Railway pub on RHS) L onto main road R at traffic lights first L up hill SA at junction, second L, R passed public toilets, R at top, L at T junction follow road onto track up to barn around barn then follow contour around valley up mountain, at top R onto jeep tracks, (head towards nearest radio mast) R onto small tarmac road, through cattle grid, down road to St Illtyds church. |
TOP
Route Description
From Hobo to the forestry single track at Cwmcarn HARD
|
| From |
Distance
climb |
Map: OS 171 + 161
distance: K (46 Miles)
Time:5.45hrs
Ride Standard: Hard
Cwncarn is the latest forestry area to have its own MTB single track. I found this trail a few years ago, not sure if I'd have enough energy to ride this and the single track! But there are other easier routes from Hobo to Cwmcarn. |
| Hobo |
10K
+120mtr
-140mtr |
From Hobo, Down road beside MOTOR WORLD. Through underpass. Up steep hill (on road). Keep on road for 500mtrs, turn right on to Sirhowy Valley path (sign posted on LHS).Follow path for 7K. Through cattle grid bear left at road (not into village). Take first left, As road starts to drop down look for footpath on LHS opposite FP over style on RHS into forest. Fight way down through trees to find disused tack follow switch-back down, Leads onto good forestry track GO FOR IT (2.5k). Track joins road at Aberbeeg |
| Aberbeeg |
3K
+140mtr
-120mtr |
At junction left then right, go under main road. Right at Round about. Follow this road through village,(2K) Road bends to right with turning on left disused factory buildings. Look up at hill facing you, there is the track you're to climb. At end of bend take small entrance on left start climbing up steep (gets steeper). Go through gate turn sharp left. Track becomes grass, goes straight up (Nearly to heaven). Pass house at top follow track through fenced area, on to open land, turn right go through cattle grid on right, down narrow tarmac lane(1K). Gets steeper, Left at village green. Straight at cross roads next to pub. Cross main road start climbing up other side! |
| Hafodyrynys |
9K
+190mtr
-250Mtr(1000ft) |
This climb is not so steep but a lot longer (2.25K). First left after(750m) Stay on road through cattle grid straight on (follow overhead cables to with). Undulating dust track for (6k) on top of ridge. Keep to the track, about 5K fenced woodland area on right. At end of it approx 200mts look for path on RHS marked only by worn grass turn right down to 5 bar gate. Sharpe Left on to single track!! or stay on road to info centre. |
| Cwmcarn |
K
+20mtr
-20mtr |
From info centre follow road out of park. Left on to main road for 2K Straight on at traffic lights. Under road bridge Turn Left onto track into Sirhowy Valley Country Park |
| The Rock |
K
+160mtr
-30 |
Follow track beside river up to hut, follow track Right to Wyllie 7K. End of track cross road pass pub cross bridge follow road to junction straight across to factory (Hawker Sidley) path to left of main gate, (1K) cross road passed tyre centre rejoin track/path, right over river bridge then left head up stream. Keep on this side of river for (3.5K) on various tracks. On disused rail track with lose stone, straight across at road junction through barrier, track continues to new road. Behind house on LHS bear left look for track down to bridge over river. Lots of steps up other side! Follow track to the Rock Pub, cross main road, Up small tarmac road beside pub 2k. At T-junction turn right passed church and pubs (There are two pubs here. The church inn is usually open all day).for 1.2k. Straight At X road passed water tower |
| Bedwellty Church |
K
+40mtr
-160mtr |
Over cattle grid open road climbs slightly turns right levels out turns left, on L turn take track on R to top, 10mtr before old buildings. Turn L to follow ridge-line track, after first peak follow sheep track L towards edge. Look up to your R you should see track on the very edge. Make your way carefully towards the track you will see where it continues down over the edge, follow it down to winding wheel L, down to second sheep track turn R. Take L before 2nd stream. Style can be hidden by bracken, It's opposite radio mast, Cross main road. Down to Bedwellty Pits, L onto railway track for 2K join Tredegar by-pass back to town 1.75K |
TOP
Route Description
We've organised this ride with our partners at Bike
Base in Abergavenny. They'll drop off rental bikes at Hobo, the ride
ends at their base opposite the Castle in Abergavenny. We'll arrange transport
of your luggage, or ride back to Hobo, or catch the X4 bus or we'll collect
you. |
| place |
Distance
Climb |
|
Abergavenny |
|
OS Maps:OL13
Distance: 16 Miles
Time:2.5 Hrs
Ride Standard: Easy
From Hobo along the Dukes road to Brynmawr. Down the Clydach gorge on disused rail line to the canal at Govilon to the Castle fields to Abergavenny. |
| Tredegar | 30mtr | From Hobo, down road next to Motor World and under road through tunnel. Climb hill, take 1st major road on left for approx 1K, switch-back right onto track bear left and go through cycle gate, climb to top of hill. At T junction with road, Left down to cross main road into Memorial Stones car park. |
| Memorial Stones Car Park | 23 | From car park you can either climb to the highest point in front of you and down other side to road bridge or, follow track around to left of hill, keeping hill on your right. Left onto road bridge, Right at round about, Right again after cattle grid onto track. At end of track onto tarmac lane, down to end Left and left again onto road, 1st Right through houses, Right at end of road passed shop straight on at round straight at next round about climb hill, Right at bus shelter, over foot bridge, bear Left, Right on to road for 500mtrs, Left through horse-gate and climb up cinder track |
| Beaufort | 1 | Follow obvious cinder track gradual climb for approx 2K (Road your right is the highest in Wales). Follow track down to gate, over gate down to yard, through yard Right onto road, first left down into small lane. At end of lane look across round about. You'll see a large cross with steps leading to them, there's also a ramp. This is an old railway line, in to Abergavenny, which will become Sustran's route 46. |
| Brynmawr | 3 | follow path through gates passed house on right. through cutting to tunnel entrance. Follow right hand wall of left hand tunnel or, follow road to left of tunnels for 200mtrs, take left hand track this will join at far end of tunnel. Follow railway line crossing minor roads around large gates to next tunnel entrance. This tunnel is blocked, take track to left up over top, rejoin rail line into brick works/quarry. |
| Abergavenny | . |
Rail line joins lane, follow lane up slightly then down. On right hand
bend there is entrance to rejoin cycle track. right on track to canal
basin, keep following signs for route 46. This will take you under main
road to roundabout near super store. left over bridge, then right into
Castle fields, follow river to the castle through cycle gate, then Right
into lane, 1st right to Bike Base |
TOP
 Route Description
Y Tri Chwm
This ride
can be ridden in many different loops, starting from Hobo there are
a number of route options of around 20 miles.
How the Y Tri Chwm (the 3 Valleys) trail came into being
This route was put together with members of the Tredegar MTB club.
Over the years I'd ridden different trails with most of the members.
I was amazed that many members only rode the trails they knew. We
decided to way-mark the trails to encourage riders to explore more
of the trails in their "back-yard". What started as a simple idea
took nearly 3 years to complete!
We got funding from the Lottery and Communities First project, lots
of help and support from the local council and landowners. Most of
the post erecting task was done by TEMS, part of the Tredegar Development
Trust.
It seemed so simple to bang in a post and attach a way-marker to it.
Getting to some of the remote locations carrying a post and tools
is not so easy and very time consuming. But the biggest delay was
the Forestry's lack of co-operation. We thought that it would be straight
forward as the forestry has built MTB routes at Cwmcarn and Afan Argoed
and have a statement that says forestry land is open to cyclists.
Fortunately we found a way around them because they still refuse to
co-operate with us. |
| Place | Climb
Distance |
Y Tri Chwm
Maps:OS Explorer 152 & 166, Outdoor Leisure 13.
Ride Distance: 40 miles.
Ride Time: approx 6hrs.
Total Climb:1537mtrs. Ride Standard: Tough.
Ride Overview: Long distance ride, includes most terrain and surface types. Long climbs, great descents, amazing views. Weather conditions are greatly emphasised at these altitudes, expect sudden extreme weather changes. |
| Aneurin Bevan CP |
|
From CP cross road next to garage continue on road for 2.5 K. SA at X road on to Sirhowy Valley path for 9K to Manmoel village. Bear left (not into village) L onto bridlepath, through gate, L at way marker through gate, follow rough track head towards fence down to style. Over style |
| Manmoel | | Down through forestry to Aberbeeg, look carefully for signs, some of the forest tracks can become over grown. At bottom R onto forest road, L onto road & L again over rail bridge, R onto A467 for 50mtrs L onto forest road, SA passed gate for 75mtr, L up steep track along valley for 0.75K, switchback L just before top, continue on forest track to forest road, for 0.7K to gate. |
| Abeerbeeg | | Pass forest gate, bear R continue to 2nd forest gate, to LHS of field continue on forest road for 2K. Follow direction sign down L to style, (before cattle grid) continue on single track down to gate, SA through gate technical descent down, SA through 2nd gate onto road, L down to main road, R and R again follow sign for Nature Reserve. |
| Cwm | | Pass reserve on RHS, continue onto rough track, R onto road to land-fill site. Take track to L of Land-fill entrance, Follow track, at end of fence bear R up to hidden gate, through gate follow track for 2.75K to head of valley. R onto track up mountain to top, follow rutted track to wall 5K, L through gate, follow track down and around corner then up to gate, SA follow track pass tips on RHS, to Arial Farm. L before farmyard, follow wall to end, R over style, SA to next style on RHS, follow fence, NOT through gate, keep following fence down to SP, R onto sheep track, L down fast farm track, L onto A467 passed Tesco's, R at traffic lights 2nd L (just before fire station) up to junction SA for 50mtr L (sign for Cwmcelin Ponds) 100mtr, L by Cmwcelin sign follow road for 2.25K into Church Lane. |
| Abertillery | | L into Church Lane on to Mountain. At top L on to main track along mountain for 2.5K. R down rough sheep track to join minor road, L at B4248 for 2K, 1st R after cattle grid, through gate to fence, L at fence down through tunnel. |
| Brynmawr | | R after tunnel, follow track around to style on RHS, over style bear L, cross pipe/ bridge then L down through gate to round about 2nd exit to Brynmawr, R into lane before Bridge end pub, R at top, then L into yard, go between parked trailers. Up track up to gate SA passed radio masts down through gate, R onto road for 90M, L before road bridge, R over foot bridge, L onto road, to round about SA to next round about SA pass shops & school on LHS, next L, then L at T junction down to 2nd R just before bridge, 20 mtr R , follow to end of road bear L at end onto track. |
| Rassu | | L at end of track, over cattle grid, L at round about, over road bridge, R onto track at end of bridge. Follow contour line around hill on LHS, L at 2nd track, R at top follow signs to Aneurin Bevan stones CP |
TOP
|