Voted "one of the ten best places to ride before you die" (What Mountain Bike Magazine 2004), the Afan Valley has benefitted from an increased number of visitors to the area, and Ty Afan Holiday Cottage is at the centre of it. Although the area is often known as simply "Afan Argoed", there are actually two trail heads and complexes: one at the Afan Forest Park, and the other at Glyncorrwg. The two centres are connected by trials, and between them, cyclists can enjoy miles of purpose built single track trails which are well maintained and constantly upgraded. The trails introduce you to some of Wales' spectacular scenery and with famous rides such as "The Wall" and "White's Level" to look forward to, you will not be disappointed. If this is not enough to keep you occupied for your visit, you have the advantage of being only 30 minutes drive from the Brecon Beacons and one hour's drive from the Elan Valley. Here, you will be able to test your skills on natural trails.
- Officially opened 02 June 2005, the world class centre cost £700,000.00 to build.
- Visitors will benefit from a reception, showers, the Drop Off Café (which has obtained a bar and entertainment licence) and Skyline cycles.
- Skyline cycles has all you would expect from a good bike shop including spares, demo bikes, hire fleet, workshop and bike clothing.
- The centre is situated at the trail heads of White's Level, Skyline and the July Trail.
- Located three miles from Ty Afan Holiday Cottage, the Visitors Centre is the main information centre for the park. The centre contains information on all mountain bike trails and walks.
- Home of The South Wales Miners Museum which illustrates the history of the Forest Park.
- Contains toilets, car park and a café.
- Situated at the trail heads The Penhydd and The Wall trails.
The first and still the best! Well, perhaps not quite, but the still manages to deliver a lot of fun in its 17km mix of singletrack and fireroad.
Probably the easiest of the purpose-built mountain bike trails in the Afan Valley, the Penhydd is a great place to start. It includes the legendary "Hidden Valley" which snakes down a densely wooded hillside via a series of hairpins and the super fast "Dead Sheep Gully". Most of the sections can easily be repeated once you get your bearings and you will want to do so.
If you're quick you can complete a loop in under an hour but for most expect to take between 1.5 and 3 hours.
A long climb followed by a thrilling descent might be one way to describe The Wall. Starting at the same point as the Penhydd trail you soon cross the valley and after a few kilometres of fireroad begin the climb. You gain height very quickly yet the engaging singletrack will make it feel almost painless, until you reach the steep fireroad section half way up - this never becomes easy!
Once you reach the top it's fun all the way down, but remember to check your brakes. The trail is built on a steep hillside, along which it weaves and rolls its way down over several kilometress. If you know where to look, there are even a few drop-offs along the way, the biggest being about 1.20 metres (4 feet).
Expect to take 1½ to 3 hours to ride the 23km.Starting at the Glyncorrwg mountain bike centre, White's Level tests you straight away with a 6km climb. Once again, however you will gain height at a surprising rate and the singletrack keeps the climb interesting. Once at the top you are met by boardwalk sections, steep drops, berms, doubles and drops on the way down. This is a fantastic descent and one you will want to ride again and again.
Further sections are being added to White's Level to maintain the Afan Valley at the forefront of mountain bike trail centres in the UK.
The trail is 15km, but growing, and can be ridden in under an hour by whippets or between 1½ and 3 hours by the less race-oriented rider.
The longest of the trails in the Afan Valley, Skyline shares the same initial climb as White's Level, but diverges at the top for a 46km epic. Feeling very remote at times, Skyline provides fantastic views towards the Brecon Beacons, the Presellis, the Black Mountains and the south Wales coast. Involving more fireroad than the shorter trails, Skyline still delivers plenty of singletrack, from fast and flowing to rocky and technical. The highlight has to be the descent, with the "rock staircase" and series of rock slabs to launch off.
Pack plenty of food and water, as there are no shops en route. Expect to take between 3 and 7 hours, although there are 2 short cuts available, the first of these forming the "July trail" which packs the maximum singletrack fun into a condensed version of Skyline.
Somewhat different to the Afan/Glyncorrwg trails, the Gorlech red route was designed by South Wales' downhill supremo Rowan Sorrell. This 22km route begins with a long fire road, doubletrack and singletrack climb to gain height. The descent is a completely different experience, launching straight into berms, doubles and drops that will thrill the experienced and challenge the beginner. Further climbing folllows but once again leads to beautifully sculpted descents, allowing you to perfect your technique. Expect to take between 1.5 and 3 hours to complete the loop.
From the east, the M4 becomes the A48. Leave the A48 at the junction for the National Botanical Gardens (B4310). Follow the B4310 through Nantgaredig and then on to Felingwmuchaf and finally Brechfa. Abergorlech is 4 miles east of Brechfa on the B4310. Park in the Forestry car park. There are currently no facilities at the trail head but the Black Lion pub in the village will provide all your refreshment needs.
