This mountain bike route of 31miles takes a
clockwise route around Cadair Berwyn.
Although it is about a 50/50 split between
off-road and tarmac it incorporates some of the
best rocky descents in the area and the tarmac
sections have some fantastic scenery.
1. The start point for this loop is the car park in
Llandrillo (GR035372). It is on the eastern bank
of the stream running through the village,
directly next to the road bridge.
Out of the car park turn left onto the main road.
In a few yards take the right by the little school,
which looks like a chapel. Follow this road,
which gets quite steep, to the gate at the start of
the off-road track (GR041372).
2. Climb along this track and past the farm.
After approx. 2/3mile go straight across the
clockwise route around Cadair Berwyn.
Although it is about a 50/50 split between
off-road and tarmac it incorporates some of the
best rocky descents in the area and the tarmac
sections have some fantastic scenery.
1. The start point for this loop is the car park in
Llandrillo (GR035372). It is on the eastern bank
of the stream running through the village,
directly next to the road bridge.
Out of the car park turn left onto the main road.
In a few yards take the right by the little school,
which looks like a chapel. Follow this road,
which gets quite steep, to the gate at the start of
the off-road track (GR041372).
2. Climb along this track and past the farm.
After approx. 2/3mile go straight across the
crossroads. The double track continues to climb until the woods, which are on the left hand side of the track.
3. There is then a short descent to the stone bridge over the steam, shown
below (GR072369). Go through the gate and follow the double track all the way
to the top of the climb. Luckily there are a few gates to rest at on the way up.
4. Once at the top make a point of signing the book which is in the lead box
near the plaque. It is a good idea to fuel up at this point as it is followed by a
two mile descent which includes a bit of peddling. This is the Wayfarer descent
which is a lot of fun but if it has been raining also
wet. It is simply a case of following the double
track down hill, crossing the bridge at the 1.5mile
point, a short climb to a gate and riding the last
1/2mile down to the road.
5. Continue straight ahead on the road for nearly
3miles to Llanarmon Dyffryn-Ceiriog. On the left
before the crossroads is a very nice pub, bike
friendly with good ale and a large beer garden out
the back. The one on the other side looks nice but
I haven't been in it so I don't know what it is like.
wet. It is simply a case of following the double
track down hill, crossing the bridge at the 1.5mile
point, a short climb to a gate and riding the last
1/2mile down to the road.
5. Continue straight ahead on the road for nearly
3miles to Llanarmon Dyffryn-Ceiriog. On the left
before the crossroads is a very nice pub, bike
friendly with good ale and a large beer garden out
the back. The one on the other side looks nice but
I haven't been in it so I don't know what it is like.
Whether you stop or not you will then need to go across the crossroads, up the tarmac
climb.
climb.
rocky and technical in places and great fun (also mentioned in the Ceiriog Valley Loop
pt1). Go through the gate at the bottom, past the sheep dip, past Ty-gwyn farm and
straight ahead to the road (GR178299).
7. At the road turn right then right again and follow the road past Pantglas Ucha and
take a right onto the uphill double track (GR169297). After about 1/3mile turn right and
follow the track down to Pant-y-maen farm. Take a sharp left though the farm and turn
left onto the road (GR155304).
8. Follow this road all the way to Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant (GR124261). BE WARNED
after just over 2miles is a very steep hill near the top of which is a sign advising a low
gear be selected. Don't do like me and forget the corner which is 2/3rds of the way
down. Seeing it at the last minute while doing 45mph is not good. No injuries to myself
but I pringled my front wheel and bent my forks. With no shortcuts available I was lucky
enough to be able to straighten my wheel and have not bent my forks enough to notice
pt1). Go through the gate at the bottom, past the sheep dip, past Ty-gwyn farm and
straight ahead to the road (GR178299).
7. At the road turn right then right again and follow the road past Pantglas Ucha and
take a right onto the uphill double track (GR169297). After about 1/3mile turn right and
follow the track down to Pant-y-maen farm. Take a sharp left though the farm and turn
left onto the road (GR155304).
8. Follow this road all the way to Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant (GR124261). BE WARNED
after just over 2miles is a very steep hill near the top of which is a sign advising a low
gear be selected. Don't do like me and forget the corner which is 2/3rds of the way
down. Seeing it at the last minute while doing 45mph is not good. No injuries to myself
but I pringled my front wheel and bent my forks. With no shortcuts available I was lucky
enough to be able to straighten my wheel and have not bent my forks enough to notice
before I got home. Go straight on at the junction in Llanrhaeadr -ym-
Mochnant. Stay on the main road, across the river, and up the hill following
the right then left kink, climbing to the turn at the house on the flat section
(GR113259).
9. Turn right at the junction and follow the lane, past the telephone, and take
the next left. Keep climbing this road straight ahead to the gate preceding
the next off-road section (GR097269).
Mochnant. Stay on the main road, across the river, and up the hill following
the right then left kink, climbing to the turn at the house on the flat section
(GR113259).
9. Turn right at the junction and follow the lane, past the telephone, and take
the next left. Keep climbing this road straight ahead to the gate preceding
the next off-road section (GR097269).
Pringled wheel
10. Climb the short steep double track round to the right. It flattens out and
follows the contour of the hill for a while. Near the end of the climb the track
passes through a double gated sheep pen and across a very boggy section.
Head for the gate which is above and to the right of the sheep pen (GR072279).
11. After the gate the trail flattens off through the saddle in the hills and quickly
becomes steep and grassy. Follow the sheep track which leads off to the right
follows the contour of the hill for a while. Near the end of the climb the track
passes through a double gated sheep pen and across a very boggy section.
Head for the gate which is above and to the right of the sheep pen (GR072279).
11. After the gate the trail flattens off through the saddle in the hills and quickly
becomes steep and grassy. Follow the sheep track which leads off to the right
The track kinks left/right/left at the slate mounds and stream. The trail then tracks left
around the contour of the hill.
12. At the point where the trail turns right again the BW diverges and the BW going off to
the right needs to be taken (GR065270). This track goes through a gate and across a
field to another gate at the stream crossing, linking up with the track that can clearly be
seen on the right hand side in the picture above (it will enlarge). Turn left on this double
track and follow it downhill and through the gate in the dry stone wall which runs all the way
down from the cliff face, also seen in the picture above. Directly after the gate take the
grassy track ahead that bears round to the right, don't follow the double track down hill any
further. Once at the crest the track descends on a sweet bit of singletrack through a small
wood and then, after a gate, on to a fun bit of off camber slate scree slope.
around the contour of the hill.
12. At the point where the trail turns right again the BW diverges and the BW going off to
the right needs to be taken (GR065270). This track goes through a gate and across a
field to another gate at the stream crossing, linking up with the track that can clearly be
seen on the right hand side in the picture above (it will enlarge). Turn left on this double
track and follow it downhill and through the gate in the dry stone wall which runs all the way
down from the cliff face, also seen in the picture above. Directly after the gate take the
grassy track ahead that bears round to the right, don't follow the double track down hill any
further. Once at the crest the track descends on a sweet bit of singletrack through a small
wood and then, after a gate, on to a fun bit of off camber slate scree slope.
13. At the end of this trail turn right onto the road and head into Llangynog (GR059264).
At the junction with the 'B' road turn right and follow it up the right hand side of Cwm
Rhiwath to the head of the valley. Don't start off on this climb too fast as it is a 3mile grind
to the top. But to take you mind off it there are stunning views of the valley off to your left.
14. Near the top off the climb is a double track off to the right (GR019302).This is a good
place for a quick breather before the final run home. Follow the double track up and over
the crest and, if it's not cloudy, check out the views. Descend the fast, rocky double track
bearing left at the junction with the footpath. Go through the gate which appears after
about 3/4mile.The track then changes character
becoming steeper and covered with a lot more
loose rocks, even more fun than the first section if
you like that kind of thing. Go straight across the
becoming steeper and covered with a lot more
loose rocks, even more fun than the first section if
you like that kind of thing. Go straight across the
junction halfway down, the right hand side of the track being the better for air
BTW.
15. After a sharp corner at the bottom cross the ford by Blean-y-cwm farm
(GR022326). From here it is simply a case of following the tarmac lane for about
2miles all the way back into Llandrillo.
BTW.
15. After a sharp corner at the bottom cross the ford by Blean-y-cwm farm
(GR022326). From here it is simply a case of following the tarmac lane for about
2miles all the way back into Llandrillo.
6. Turn right onto the double track (GR172327). This is quite a steep climb but worth it. Near the top go straight across
the crossroad junction. Once the track starts descending it becomes quite rutted and muddy but is down hill and ridable
even in pretty bad conditions. Take the track off to the right (GR174314) which is the start of the steep section. This is
the crossroad junction. Once the track starts descending it becomes quite rutted and muddy but is down hill and ridable
even in pretty bad conditions. Take the track off to the right (GR174314) which is the start of the steep section. This is
All of this route can be plotted on OS Explorer 255.
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from my site :
Ceiriog Valley Gryn Meolfre Long
Ceiriog Valley Gryn Meolfre Medium
Llandrillo and the Tanat Valley
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from my site :
Ceiriog Valley Gryn Meolfre Long
Ceiriog Valley Gryn Meolfre Medium
Llandrillo and the Tanat Valley
(GR068276). Once you reach the fence turn left
and follow it downhill. After another left the track
begins to turn right and becomes more defined.
and follow it downhill. After another left the track
begins to turn right and becomes more defined.
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