Mountain Biking in Wales with Call of the Wild
What Does Mountain Biking in Wales Entail?
The best way of describing mountain biking is a bit like skiing on a bike both downhill and cross-country but without the snow. Off-road cycling on purpose designed bikes. You’ll discover why this sport has become so popular, particularly mountain biking in Wales, over the last few years – it’s the adrenaline rush and being in the great outdoors in some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK.
We provide you with modern state of the art mountain bikes, helmets and a qualified mountain biking guide. This is to ensure that you use our experience to maximise yours. You don’t want to be checking a map every 5 minutes to find out the way, whilst possibly missing the best bets. Our guides will tailor the day to suit the ability of the group. They will ensure you take in the most exhilarating climbs, descents, viewpoints, downhills and jumps available on the some of the best trails the in WORLD not just the UK or Wales, have to offer.
“I would like to thank you for a fantastic weekend we all had with Call of the Wild. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed all the activities and everything ran like clockwork. Mountain biking was amazing.” Dave Nicholson.
Who Can Do Mountain Biking in Wales?
As long as you can ride a mountain bike we will tailor the day to meet your needs. Our qualified guides will ensure you get the most out of the day. Whether you are looking for a full-on adrenaline rush day or a more leisurely ride with friends and family.
Where Can I do Mountain Biking?
Call of the Wild’s mountain biking activity sessions are based in Afan Forest Park, and on the southern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales, UK.
The mountain biking trails in Afan Forest Park have been carved out of hillsides with the Afan Valley being 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.
One of the trails used is the Penhydd. Here’s a brief description.
The Penhydd Trail
Distance: 22Km
Climb: 550m
Time: 3-4 hours
This is a varied trail, which combines forest and road climbs with tight, technical, switchback trails awesome descents through the Hidden Valley, Sidewinder and Dead Sheep Gully sections through mixed woodland and open flowing singletrack through ground with great skyline views of Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains and the South Wales coast.This trail can include big climbs followed by exhilerating descents which mean this trail is great fun. Take a look at a video for a better idea. Scroll down on our adventure videos page.
Low Level Family Route
There is also a shorter family cycle route which is suitable for everyone and runs along a disused railway line.
Sarn Helen
We also use Sarn Helen Roman Road which travels across the top of Hir Fynydd mountain. This trail provides spectacular views of the Brecon Beacons, Black Mountain and across the Bristol to Channel to Devon and Lundy Island. The Roman road itself runs from the market town of Neath right through the Brecon Beacons to Brecon. However most groups would only do the central element as described above which takes approximately 3 to 4 hours.
“We had an absolutely fantastic weekend thanks! The activities were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone – especially the canyoning.” Beverley McGonagle
Duration/Length of the Mountain Biking session?
This is variable depending on the size and nature of the group and the prevailing weather conditions on the day. It also depends on which route you choose to follow for your mountain biking session. As a guide, the session would normally last around 3 - 6 hours.
When can I do it?
We operate our mountain biking in Wales all year.
What is it going to cost me?
Phone for details, contact us or visit our prices and packages pages.
“ Canyoning was by far the best activity we have done on any of our weekends away (which last count was 6). The staff and the way the activity was run were second to none, all the boys loved it and there is already talk of coming back.” Richard Gunner.
What will I have to Wear for my Mountain Biking Ride?
For your mountain biking session we will provide you with a full kit upon booking. For guidance, we will provide you with a modern mountain bike, helmet and you will be accompanied by our qualified guides.
Good Combinations of Activities
Mountain biking in Wales with Call of the Wild is a single day activity due to the length of the session and it s physical demands. From our experience it is difficult to combine a second activity with mountain biking in the same day. Therefore we recommend it is only suitable for combination with other activities for weekends or longer duration visits. It can be combined with any of the range of activities available whether it be caving, climbing, quads, paintball and clays.
Popular Mountain Biking itineraries purchased by other Customers
Classic mountain high river deep
Classic get on your bike and ride (quads and m.Bike)
Reach for the Sky (Climb & M.Bike)
Can I Use a Camera?
Yes you can. With any other camera we cannot guarantee it will make it out in one piece. We recommend that at least one of your party take a camera as you’ll have some stunning pictures to show everyone and to prove those tall tales are actually true!
Take Away a Video or Photos
We can arrange for a professional photographer to take photos of you doing the downhill mountain biking in Wales, UK. The photos can be put onto disc for you to take away before the end of your stay. Please contact us for more details.
In certain circumstances we can arrange for your group to filmed this maybe arranged depending the nature of the route.
Mountain Biking Photo Gallery
