This mountain bike route starts at Moel Arthur in the
Clwydian Range. The ride takes in two loops from the
car park. The first one is a fairly easy loop of 11miles
with nothing too technical or too steep. The second
loop, although shorter at 9.5miles, has some rocky,
loose descents and climbs that are long and steep in
places. Most of the ride takes place on rocky double
track but being the Clwyds if it is wet it will also be muddy.
1. From the car park (GR147658) turn right and follow
the lane over the cattle grid. Descend the lane for about
1/3rd of a mile to a right hand bend then turn right to
follow the signposted BW through a gate, just before the
lane starts descending steeply. After the gate follow the
muddy double track along the contour of the hill. At the
next junction follow the left hand track that descends,
past a pond on the right, to a gate. About 20m after the
gate take the singletrack that climbs off to the right of the
double track descent (GR139661). Follow this
singletrack as it gently climbs through the gorse bushes,
eventually bearing right to a small field at the top.
Continue straight on over the field and after a short
distance pick up the double track descending off to the
right to a gate. At the next junction turn right and
descend into the trees to a gate at a lane.
2. Once through the gate turn right and climb the lane.
After a long left hand bend the climb finishes at a
junction where the lane turns right. Take the short track
that climbs straight on into the car park (GR138668). At
the end of the fence on the left turn left through the gate
Clwydian Range. The ride takes in two loops from the
car park. The first one is a fairly easy loop of 11miles
with nothing too technical or too steep. The second
loop, although shorter at 9.5miles, has some rocky,
loose descents and climbs that are long and steep in
places. Most of the ride takes place on rocky double
track but being the Clwyds if it is wet it will also be muddy.
1. From the car park (GR147658) turn right and follow
the lane over the cattle grid. Descend the lane for about
1/3rd of a mile to a right hand bend then turn right to
follow the signposted BW through a gate, just before the
lane starts descending steeply. After the gate follow the
muddy double track along the contour of the hill. At the
next junction follow the left hand track that descends,
past a pond on the right, to a gate. About 20m after the
gate take the singletrack that climbs off to the right of the
double track descent (GR139661). Follow this
singletrack as it gently climbs through the gorse bushes,
eventually bearing right to a small field at the top.
Continue straight on over the field and after a short
distance pick up the double track descending off to the
right to a gate. At the next junction turn right and
descend into the trees to a gate at a lane.
2. Once through the gate turn right and climb the lane.
After a long left hand bend the climb finishes at a
junction where the lane turns right. Take the short track
that climbs straight on into the car park (GR138668). At
the end of the fence on the left turn left through the gate
to the top of the woods. There is a choice of four tracks here, take the second track from the right. This trail begins
descending through the trees, comes out into the open for the middle section, before dropping back into the trees for
the final twistier, muddy and rooty section. At the bottom go through the small gate to the right and follow the track a
short way to a junction with a double track (GR126663).
descending through the trees, comes out into the open for the middle section, before dropping back into the trees for
the final twistier, muddy and rooty section. At the bottom go through the small gate to the right and follow the track a
short way to a junction with a double track (GR126663).
3. Turn right and follow the double track for about 2miles as it
gradually climbs its way up the flank of the hill below
Penycloddiau Fort. There are a number of gates on this climb,
but they are well spaced out and don’t interrupt the ride. About
3/4 of the way up the climb go straight on at a junction with a
track on the left and climb towards the mast on the ridge. At the
top of the climb the track ends at a gate at a
junction beneath the radio mast (GR121689).
4. Directly after the gate turn right. The lane
soon turns into grassy double track, which leads
to a junction with two gates. Go through the
gate straight ahead and follow the grassy and
rutted track down hill. Go through the next gate
junction beneath the radio mast (GR121689).
4. Directly after the gate turn right. The lane
soon turns into grassy double track, which leads
to a junction with two gates. Go through the
gate straight ahead and follow the grassy and
rutted track down hill. Go through the next gate
gate and descend the loose rocky track to a junction
with a lane, by a farm on the left. Go straight on and
follow the lane for a fast finish to the descent. At the
with a lane, by a farm on the left. Go straight on and
follow the lane for a fast finish to the descent. At the
5. Turn right and climb the lane as it bears
right to come out at a junction just after a cattle
grid. Turn right and follow the lane to the next
junction (GR136695). Take the double track
that climbs away to the left. Follow the track
through a right hand bend where the track
becomes muddier then go straight on past the
next track on the left. Eventually the track
comes to a small open grassy area at the next
junction, after a small climb. Turn left and
descend the muddy, rutted track. After passing
right to come out at a junction just after a cattle
grid. Turn right and follow the lane to the next
junction (GR136695). Take the double track
that climbs away to the left. Follow the track
through a right hand bend where the track
becomes muddier then go straight on past the
next track on the left. Eventually the track
comes to a small open grassy area at the next
junction, after a small climb. Turn left and
descend the muddy, rutted track. After passing
a house on the left, go through a right hand bend and down to a junction with
a lane (GR144686).
6. Turn left and follow the lane to the next junction. Turn right then ride to the
next junction and turn right again (GR147682). Climb this lane to the
previously visited car park at the top of Nannerch woods. Continue along the
lane and descend to the left. Just after the end of a long right hand bend take
the previously ridden double track on the left (GR136665). Be careful not to
go too fast when descending the lane as it is all to easy to overshoot this
junction.
7. A short way up the track go through the gate and climb the double track to
a lane (GR144686).
6. Turn left and follow the lane to the next junction. Turn right then ride to the
next junction and turn right again (GR147682). Climb this lane to the
previously visited car park at the top of Nannerch woods. Continue along the
lane and descend to the left. Just after the end of a long right hand bend take
the previously ridden double track on the left (GR136665). Be careful not to
go too fast when descending the lane as it is all to easy to overshoot this
junction.
7. A short way up the track go through the gate and climb the double track to
the next junction. Turn left and continue climbing up the rutted double track. Go through the following gate to the small
field at the top. Bear slightly left and pick up the singletrack through the gorse bushes. Descend the track as it bears
left round the hill then go straight on at the junction at the end of the trail and climb to the gate. After the gate bear
right to follow the double track along the contour of the hill to the gate at the other end. After the gate turn left and
climb the lane back to the Moel Aruthur car park.
field at the top. Bear slightly left and pick up the singletrack through the gorse bushes. Descend the track as it bears
left round the hill then go straight on at the junction at the end of the trail and climb to the gate. After the gate bear
right to follow the double track along the contour of the hill to the gate at the other end. After the gate turn left and
climb the lane back to the Moel Aruthur car park.
8. To start the second loop leave the car park and turn left to follow the lane to the junction, at
the start of the woods on the right (GR148659). Turn right on the dirt track then after the gate
follow the trail as it climbs gently off to the left. The trail soon bears right then, after the crest,
descends to a gate. After the gate drop down the fast double track, try to keep up your speed
for the short climb that follows. At the top of this climb, where the trail bears right, go through
the gate on the left with the white gatepost, signposted as a Byway (GR161661).
9. Go Down the long, fast and straight descent with a lot of rocks and mud, it can be a
bit wet. Follow the trail straight ahead all the way to the bottom where it gets really rocky,
it then finishes with some very muddy ruts. Follow the ruts through a couple of bends to
the next junction and turn left. The trail soon steepens and turns into tarmac. Be careful
as there are a few blind bends and it is usually green and slimy. Follow this lane down to
a road junction at the bottom (GR174676).
10. Turn right and follow the main road over a crest. Descend past a crossroad with
some dirt tracks, then go past the open junction on the left on the flat. After the next
lane on the right the lane comes to a crossroad at the house on the right with the well
kept hedges (GR177660). Turn right, following the sign for the viewpoint, and climb the
lane to the next junction, just after a right turn. Turn left and continue climbing then go
straight on at the next junction for a steep climb to the following crossroad (GR166653).
Go straight on and continue up the now gentle climb. At a junction with some tracks on
the right, on a left hand bend, bear left to stay on the tarmac. Climb past a
farm on the left and go straight on to where the lane changes to a wide rocky
track (GR160651).
11. Stay on this track and climb for just over a mile. There are a couple of
gates on the way up, go through these to the gate at the top of the climb in the
saddle on the ridge (GR145641). After going through this gate there is a
great view over the Vale of Clwyd that makes it a good spot to catch your
breath and have some food. It is then time to start the best descent of the
ride. Go straight on down the main trail through a couple of corners over
bedrock then on to the loose, rocky main section of the descent. It starts off
as double track scattered with small rocks but as you descend the amount of
rocks increase. The rocks eventually give way to a fast hardpack trail that
farm on the left and go straight on to where the lane changes to a wide rocky
track (GR160651).
11. Stay on this track and climb for just over a mile. There are a couple of
gates on the way up, go through these to the gate at the top of the climb in the
saddle on the ridge (GR145641). After going through this gate there is a
great view over the Vale of Clwyd that makes it a good spot to catch your
breath and have some food. It is then time to start the best descent of the
ride. Go straight on down the main trail through a couple of corners over
bedrock then on to the loose, rocky main section of the descent. It starts off
as double track scattered with small rocks but as you descend the amount of
rocks increase. The rocks eventually give way to a fast hardpack trail that
leads on to a short section of broken
tarmac and a gate (GR168633). After
the gate follow the tarmac down
through a number of bends to the
junction at the bottom (GR129633).
Be careful as a lot of the corners are
blind and the road is slippery.
12. At the crossroad turn right into
Llangynhafal village. At the junction
tarmac and a gate (GR168633). After
the gate follow the tarmac down
through a number of bends to the
junction at the bottom (GR129633).
Be careful as a lot of the corners are
blind and the road is slippery.
12. At the crossroad turn right into
Llangynhafal village. At the junction
and climb the lane towards Moel Arthur. Climb,past a house on the left, all the way
to a gate straight ahead where the tarmac turns 90deg left (GR138652). Go
through the gate and climb the steep, muddy trail following the tree line on the left.
The trail soon reduces in steepness and leads on to another gate. After the gate
the trail soon comes out of the trees, widens and gives a view of the final part of the
climb. Back off a bit and get ready for the steep final section that winds through a
couple of bends to a gate at the top. This comes out by the cattle grid near the
Moel Arthur car park to the end of the ride.
The first part of this loop was with a big group and quite social, taking just over 2hrs.
In the dry I would think 1.5hrs wouldn't be hard to achieve. Although shorter I would
advise similar times for the second loop as it includes difficult climbs. There isn't
any real chance to buy refreshments on this ride but then this shouldn't be a
problem as you will return to your car in the middle of the ride.
to a gate straight ahead where the tarmac turns 90deg left (GR138652). Go
through the gate and climb the steep, muddy trail following the tree line on the left.
The trail soon reduces in steepness and leads on to another gate. After the gate
the trail soon comes out of the trees, widens and gives a view of the final part of the
climb. Back off a bit and get ready for the steep final section that winds through a
couple of bends to a gate at the top. This comes out by the cattle grid near the
Moel Arthur car park to the end of the ride.
The first part of this loop was with a big group and quite social, taking just over 2hrs.
In the dry I would think 1.5hrs wouldn't be hard to achieve. Although shorter I would
advise similar times for the second loop as it includes difficult climbs. There isn't
any real chance to buy refreshments on this ride but then this shouldn't be a
problem as you will return to your car in the middle of the ride.
bottom the lane bears left and goes through a dip at the bottom.
Climb out of the dip then follow then lane a short way on a
gentle descent to a junction with a lane on the right (GR137701).
Climb out of the dip then follow then lane a short way on a
gentle descent to a junction with a lane on the right (GR137701).
More pictures and descriptions of the rides I have taken on this route can be found in the Gallery:
Flattyres Social Ride Sep '09
Oneplanet Shop Ride Dec '07
Oneplanet Shop Ride Mar '06
The Edge Shop Ride Mar '05
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from this site :
Cilcain and the Vale of Clwyd
The Cilcain Circuit
by the pub follow the lane off to the right. Continue along the lane past a few
tracks and farms on the right to a crossroad junction (GR126648). Turn right
tracks and farms on the right to a crossroad junction (GR126648). Turn right
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