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Mountain Biking in Afan Forest Park

Twisty, rooty, rocky and in places wildly exposed, the singletrack in Afan Forest Park is the enthusiasts dream.

The trails here have been carved out of hillsides once scarred by coal mining, but now the valley has been transformed into singletrack heaven by Forestry Commission in partnership with Neath Port Talbot Council, Wales Tourist Board and the local community group Glyncorrwg Ponds Co-operative.

Afan Forest Park is home to 4 world class trails, the ‘Penhydd’, ‘The Wall’, ‘Skyline’ and ‘White’s Level’, boasting over 100 km of singletrack heaven. Afan Forest Park was the only UK trail destination to feature in the ‘What Mountain Bike Magazine’ as one of the ten best places to ride “before you die”, December 2004 issue.

Grading of Routes

Easy: These routes are suitable for all bikes with wide broad tyres. They are nearly all on roads with a gravel surface.

Medium: Suitable for mountain bikes only. Steep climbs and sections of technical riding.

Difficult: Demanding routes including long and/or steep climbs and long sections of technical riding, which are mostly less than 18 inches wide.

Personal Safety

• Ride within your ability
• Ensure your bike is safe to ride and be prepared for all emergencies.
• Always carry some sort of identification.
• Always tell someone where you are going.
• Reflective materials on your clothing of bike can save your life.
• ALWAYS wear a helmet.
• Particular care should be taken on unstable or wet surfaces.

The Penhydd Trail

Distance: 22Km

Climb: 550m

Time: 1-3 hours

This is a varied trail, which combines forest and road climbs with tight, technical, switchback trails through mixed woodland and open flowing singletrack through ground with great views.

Big climbs followed by technical descents mean this trail is not suitable for novices and in places the trail is exposed to bad weather on high ground. Please make sure that your bike is in good working order and that you are adequately equipped.

The Wall Trail

Distance 23Km

Climb: 450m

Time: 1.5 - 3 hours

This trail essentially traverses the North side of the Afan Valley on singletrack, which varies from fast, open and flowing to tight technical and rooty.

Much of the singletrack crosses some very steep side slopes and in places feels quite exposed. The route also shares a section of the family cycle trail along the valley bottom so please ride with consideration for other users.

Skyline

Distance: 46km

Climb: 2000m

Time: 5 - 7 hours

The trail starts at Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre.

The latest addition to Afan Forest Park. The trail starts with the same climb as White’s Level – quite rocky and technical. Skyline is a giant of a ride. Be prepared!

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 ‘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 and the furthest section ‘Excalibur’ should only be attempted with sufficient daylight hours to complete the route.

Come well prepared with plenty of water, food, spares (inner tubes etc) and due to the nature of the trail, some spare clothing. Skyline route is subject to extreme weather changes and temperature differences between the valley bottom (195m) and mountain top (600m). The weather can be wild and can close in fast.

White's Level

Distance: 24km

Climb: 400m

Time: 1.5 - 3 hours

The trail starts at Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre.

Very technical progressive riding trail with drops, step downs and long singletrack climbs.

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 this was a slalom run it would be graded black.

Afan Forest Park Mountain Trail Bike Guide 2005 (Adobe PDF - 2MB)

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