11. Turn right and descend the main road a short way
then take the track climbing away on the left, just after the
bollards. At the houses follow the trail as it bears very
slightly right then climb left on double track up the side of
the hill. At the junction at the end of the hedge follow the
left hand fork up a short steep section to the gate
(GR170589). After the gate follow the trail on the flat to
the trees. After the trees continue along this trail through
a number of gates and fields until it descends to a junction
in the trail. Turn square left and follow the steep grassy
climb along the edge of the field to a gate at the farm
(GR172597).
12. Through the gate turn right then go through two more
gates close to each other. Continue climbing, on a
then take the track climbing away on the left, just after the
bollards. At the houses follow the trail as it bears very
slightly right then climb left on double track up the side of
the hill. At the junction at the end of the hedge follow the
left hand fork up a short steep section to the gate
(GR170589). After the gate follow the trail on the flat to
the trees. After the trees continue along this trail through
a number of gates and fields until it descends to a junction
in the trail. Turn square left and follow the steep grassy
climb along the edge of the field to a gate at the farm
(GR172597).
12. Through the gate turn right then go through two more
gates close to each other. Continue climbing, on a
This mountain bike route of just over 18miles takes in
the low trails to the east of Moel Famau, on the way
to Cilcain. After climbing to the ridge of the Clwydian
Range the second half follows trails used in my 'Moel
Famau and the Vale of Clwyd' route. The ride is more
challenging than the Moel Famau route as the trails
to Cilcain, and the descent into the Vale of Clwyd, are
a bit more tricky. It's also 2miles longer. Pretty much
rideable all year round but muddy when wet.
1. Start from the Moel Famau lower car park
(GR172611). Follow the trail out the back of the car
park , signed as a cycle route, almost opposite the
entrance barrier. Follow it around to the right, past a
junction with a footpath on the left, and straight up to
where it meets a fire track on a bend. Climb straight
up the firetrack. Go straight on at the first junction
and at the second junction on the crest. Keep to the
main trail and descend through a left hand bend. At
the bottom of the descent bear right to a junction
(GR176621).
2. Turn right and climb the firetrack. Bear left over
the crest and descend trail that soon becomes
singletrack. At the bottom turn right and drop down a
steep little bank to a gate (GR174625). Go through
the gate, over a stream crossing and up the rutted,
grassy trail. Continue straight on where the track
becomes double track and climb to a gate. After the
the low trails to the east of Moel Famau, on the way
to Cilcain. After climbing to the ridge of the Clwydian
Range the second half follows trails used in my 'Moel
Famau and the Vale of Clwyd' route. The ride is more
challenging than the Moel Famau route as the trails
to Cilcain, and the descent into the Vale of Clwyd, are
a bit more tricky. It's also 2miles longer. Pretty much
rideable all year round but muddy when wet.
1. Start from the Moel Famau lower car park
(GR172611). Follow the trail out the back of the car
park , signed as a cycle route, almost opposite the
entrance barrier. Follow it around to the right, past a
junction with a footpath on the left, and straight up to
where it meets a fire track on a bend. Climb straight
up the firetrack. Go straight on at the first junction
and at the second junction on the crest. Keep to the
main trail and descend through a left hand bend. At
the bottom of the descent bear right to a junction
(GR176621).
2. Turn right and climb the firetrack. Bear left over
the crest and descend trail that soon becomes
singletrack. At the bottom turn right and drop down a
steep little bank to a gate (GR174625). Go through
the gate, over a stream crossing and up the rutted,
grassy trail. Continue straight on where the track
becomes double track and climb to a gate. After the
gate follow the track over a crest and drop right through a rocky ford. Climb away from the stream on muddy double
track to a gate (GR178630).
track to a gate (GR178630).
3. After the gate continue along the track to a junction
with a lane. Go straight on and descend to the next
junction on the left, just after the road steepens
(GR184634). It is easy to overshoot it, but if you come to
a right hand bend you have missed it. Turn left and climb
the broken tarmac to a house on the left. At this point
keep to the right and follow the thin muddy double track
through the line of trees. The track eventually opens out
at a farm. Go straight on to a gate, don’t drop right to the
farm. After the gate follow the trail as it bears left then
climbs to a white metal gate at a junction in the trail
(GR176637).
4. Take the right hand trail that contours around the hill.
Follow the track through the top of a field to a gate by a
with a lane. Go straight on and descend to the next
junction on the left, just after the road steepens
(GR184634). It is easy to overshoot it, but if you come to
a right hand bend you have missed it. Turn left and climb
the broken tarmac to a house on the left. At this point
keep to the right and follow the thin muddy double track
through the line of trees. The track eventually opens out
at a farm. Go straight on to a gate, don’t drop right to the
farm. After the gate follow the trail as it bears left then
climbs to a white metal gate at a junction in the trail
(GR176637).
4. Take the right hand trail that contours around the hill.
Follow the track through the top of a field to a gate by a
house on the left. Go straight on through the gate and down the track between the bushes. Go over the rocks and
across the planks for a very muddy part of the ride. Keep straight on and try to find the best line through the muddy
holes. It's doable if you're lucky and find the less deep parts. After the mud go straight on and follow the rooty
singletrack trail as it bears left. It eventually drops right over patch of roots to a tricky rock section and some planks.
After the planks go through the gate for a steep single track descent. Go through the next gate, at the stream, and
continue descending on the wide track all the way to the T-junction at the bottom (GR168646).
across the planks for a very muddy part of the ride. Keep straight on and try to find the best line through the muddy
holes. It's doable if you're lucky and find the less deep parts. After the mud go straight on and follow the rooty
singletrack trail as it bears left. It eventually drops right over patch of roots to a tricky rock section and some planks.
After the planks go through the gate for a steep single track descent. Go through the next gate, at the stream, and
continue descending on the wide track all the way to the T-junction at the bottom (GR168646).
5. Turn right and follow the track to the junction at the start of the tarmac.
Turn left and follow the lane through a dip and climb right then left to a junction
by the church in Cilcain (GR176652). Turn left and climb through a right hand
bend to the next junction. Turn left and climb the lane through a few bends.
The lane soon flattens off and straightens before going past a parking area on
the right then coming to a crossroad junction (GR166653). Turn left for a
gentle climb up the lane. 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 where the lane changes to a wide rocky track (GR160651).
6. 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).
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).
7. After the gate drop down the tarmac. Keep your speed down as the next junction is
not far down the road. In the first bends take the track on the left hand side of a left
hand bend (GR138633). It is a dirt track that climbs into the bushes to a small gate, and
is quite easy to shoot past. Once through the gate turn right immediately and follow the
fence line down to a small gate in the bottom corner of the field (GR137633). Go
through the gate and descend between the fences for a nice section through a gully in
the trees. If it has been wet this can be quite muddy. At the end go through a gate to
the junction with the lane. Cross the lane and continue descending along the BW
ahead, just slightly off to the right. This is a nice fast trail but be careful of the stream in
the deep gulley. This comes out onto tarmac at the Gellifor (GR126626).
8. Go straight on a short way to a junction at the end of the lane. Turn left and follow
the road to the end and turn left again. Follow along this lane for a couple of miles and
after the second crossroad take the dirt track off to the right, just before the house on
the right (GR133603). Follow this muddy double track between the hedges. The
doubletrack eventually gives way to tarmac, continue straight on to the junction on the
bend in the main road.
9. Carefully cross the main road and go down the lane on the other side. Not far down
the road go right at the first small junction and follow the lane for about 1mile. Just past
the junction on the right, signed to Ruthin, turn left up the track signed as a BW
(GR142573). Follow this trail through a farm. Climb towards the trees and at the first
small junction follow the lane to the left. At the next junction, by a house on the right, go
straight on and climb the dirt track into the woods.
10. After climbing for a while bear left at the junction with an access road to a house on
the right. Continue up a short way to a junction at the edge of the woods. Take the right
hand trail ahead that continues climbing on the right hand side of the trees. The rocky
trail goes through a left hand hairpin and back into the trees. When the trail exits the
trees it flattens out bearing right through some fields then passes some houses. It finally
comes out at the A494 by the Clwyd Gate Hotel.
the road go right at the first small junction and follow the lane for about 1mile. Just past
the junction on the right, signed to Ruthin, turn left up the track signed as a BW
(GR142573). Follow this trail through a farm. Climb towards the trees and at the first
small junction follow the lane to the left. At the next junction, by a house on the right, go
straight on and climb the dirt track into the woods.
10. After climbing for a while bear left at the junction with an access road to a house on
the right. Continue up a short way to a junction at the edge of the woods. Take the right
hand trail ahead that continues climbing on the right hand side of the trees. The rocky
trail goes through a left hand hairpin and back into the trees. When the trail exits the
trees it flattens out bearing right through some fields then passes some houses. It finally
comes out at the A494 by the Clwyd Gate Hotel.
right then left before coming to a right turn at the top of the final descent. Drop
down the wide, muddy and rocky trail. The trail bears left to a gate about 1/3 of
the way down. After the gate continue descending straight on then bear left on
the increasingly rocky trail. At the bottom (GR179611) go through the gate and
turn left onto the lane. Follow it around a right hand bend to the junction at the
end. Turn left and ride about 100m to the lower Moel Famau car park and the
end of the ride.
This ride took just under four hours but that was a really social pace with lots of
standing round chatting. The very fit should be able to get round this in about
an hour and a half. For refreshments there is the White Horse Inn in Cilcain. I
haven't explored Gellifor so don't know what's there. At the end of the ride
there is usually a little trailer that sells tea and food in the car park but for
something more robust there is always the option of popping down the road to
the Druid Inn in Llanferres, a cycle friendly pub that also does accommodation.
down the wide, muddy and rocky trail. The trail bears left to a gate about 1/3 of
the way down. After the gate continue descending straight on then bear left on
the increasingly rocky trail. At the bottom (GR179611) go through the gate and
turn left onto the lane. Follow it around a right hand bend to the junction at the
end. Turn left and ride about 100m to the lower Moel Famau car park and the
end of the ride.
This ride took just under four hours but that was a really social pace with lots of
standing round chatting. The very fit should be able to get round this in about
an hour and a half. For refreshments there is the White Horse Inn in Cilcain. I
haven't explored Gellifor so don't know what's there. At the end of the ride
there is usually a little trailer that sells tea and food in the car park but for
something more robust there is always the option of popping down the road to
the Druid Inn in Llanferres, a cycle friendly pub that also does accommodation.
Pictures and a description of the ride can be found in the Gallery.
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from this site :
Moel Famau and the Vale of Clwyd
Moel Authur Circuits
The Clwyds and Nercwys Forest
The Cilcain Circuit
This route crosses and can be combined with other routes from this site :
Moel Famau and the Vale of Clwyd
Moel Authur Circuits
The Clwyds and Nercwys Forest
The Cilcain Circuit
gentler incline, on the double track as it follows the drystone wall. The track bears right
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