Flattyres MTB Routes
Posted by Oggy in March 2009
Colin is the bloke behind the Flattyres MTB Routes website, and is a new friend of Mountain Biking North Wales.
Colin has been riding mountain bikes since 1998, when he got back into riding. It has become a large part of his life. Colin lives near Chester, and has access to some of the best trails in the country. His website has several excellent MTB routes around North Wales, the Lake District, the Peak District and Yorkshire.
Colin is also a fully qualified SMBLA mountain bike guide & instructor (available for hire) and organises regular rides, details of which can also be found on www.flattyresmtbroutes.com
You can contact Colin by email at flattyres@hotmail.com, or via the MBNW Forum (username: Flattyres).
The following routes are taken from the North Wales section of the Flattyres MTB Routes website. We think they are excellent routes and urge you to give them a go.
If you do ride any of these routes then please leave some feedback (and some photos) on the MBNW Forum!
All of the North Wales Flattyres MTB Routes can also be found on the MBNW Interactive Map, look for the blue push pins and click on them for more details.
The Cilcain Circuit
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This route of 19 miles that crosses the eastern flanks of Moel Famau to the village of Cilcain and back. The riding is on a good mixture of trails with wide forest tracks, muddy and rocky singletrack, fast sweeping descents and technical rock sections. The trails are pretty much ridable all year but when it's wet it's muddy.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Moel Famau and The Vale of Clwyd
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
A 16 mile route around Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range. Great riding, although not too technical, with some fast descents. The views alone are worth going up there for.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Cilcain and The Vale of Clwyd
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
18 miles using the low trails to Cilcain, then over the ridge into the Vale of Clywd and returning via the Clwyd Gate climb. Similar to the Moel Famau route but more challenging.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Moel Arthur Circuits
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This route comprises two loops starting at Moel Arthur, just to the north of Moel Famau in the Clwydian Range. The first loop is 11miles and quite easy. The second loop, although shorter at 9.5 miles, has some big climbs and descents. Most of the trails on this route are used for the Flintshire Challenge.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
The Clwyds and Nercwys Forest
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
From below Moel Famau to Nercwys Forest then returning along the Southern end of the Clwydian Range. Not especially technical but this route contains some really nice descents. There's a bit of quiet country lane work that makes the ride feel slightly less than its distance of 21 miles.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Cadair Berwyn Loop
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This is a 30 mile loop in the Berwyn mountains, North Wales. It is a hard ride incorporating some of the best rocky descents in the area and some middle of nowhere moorland riding on the Wayfarer.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Llandrillo and the Tanat Valley
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
22 miles of riding over to the west and south of Cadiar Berwyn. It contains a mixture of grassy singletrack, slate, rocks and a 1/2 mile across some soft wet moss following a vague trail through the heather.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Ceiriog Valley - Gryn Moelfre Long
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This route travels through the rolling hills on the south side of the Ceiriog Valley in North Wales. Stunning scenery and great riding make this 21 mile loop well worth a go.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Ceiriog Valley and the Vale of Llangollen
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This route takes in the trails towards the eastern end of the Ceiriog valley and for a short time drops over into the Vale of Llangollen. The loop is 21 miles and can be ridden in all weathers as the trails are mainly rocky. It contains some great descents and testing climbs.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Ceiriog Valley - Gryn Moelfre Medium
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This route of 17.3 miles takes in parts of the 'Gryn Moelfre Long' and the 'Ceiriog valley and the Vale of Llangollen' routes. It still packs in some good riding with four great descents to look forward to.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Ceiriog Valley - The Pheasant Track
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This 20.5 mile route runs anti-clockwise south and west of Glyn Ceiriog. It includes the Pheasant Track across Bryn Du. The route is about 40% tarmac but more than worth it for the off-road sections.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Snowdon
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
A few of options here, up and down the Llanberis Trail, a descent of Rhyd Ddu or the Snowdon Ranger. Non of them are easy. Please remember the voluntary ban.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Snowdon - Twin Peaks
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
The top of the mountain, and in doing so reaches the summit twice. Some fantastically technical riding This route takes in all the BWs to but you have to be to happy to carry your bike for a while.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Conwy - Drum Mountain Loop
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
A very hard 23 miles of serious climbing on the North Wales coast. There are some great descents though, including 3.5 miles from the summit of Drum mountain.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Trefriw - Capel Curig
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
13 miles of rocky, technical riding in Snowdonia, north of Betws-y-Coed. An MBR Killer Loop of 25 miles can be completed by adding in the Marin Trail. If you like challenging your riding skills you'll love it.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Mawddach Estuary and Pont Scethin
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
This route of 29.6 miles starts from just outside Dolgellau with a gentle warm up on the Mawddach Trail before heading into the mountains behind Barmouth for some long, hard climbs and technical, rocky descents.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Lake Vyrnwy
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
A route of 18.5 miles set in the beautiful area around Lake Vyrnwy in North Powys. The riding is on a mixture of rocky doubletrack and grassy, muddy trails. Still rideable in the worst of weather but it can be slippery.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Cli-machx Harder
Posted by Flattyres in March 2009
A great ride on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park. This route extends the fantastic Cli-machx trail to 14.6 miles and adds in four more descents. A route for your big bike.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
The Marin And Moel Siabod
Posted by Flattyres in July 2009
This 25 mile route adds a loop of natural trails into the Marin Trail. Head south on the Sarn Helen trail before a return leg below Moel Siabod. The extra loop has forest tracks, rutted double track, bouldery descending and fantastic views.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
Cadair Idris
Posted by Flattyres in July 2009
This route of 10.9 miles takes you to the top of Cadair Idris, an 893 metre mountain near Dolgellau on the southern edge of the Snowdonia National Park. A big mountain climb with variety of trails including rocky double track, grass, ruts, rocks and boulder fields. While there is some pushing the mountain is mostly ridable, if you have the legs for it.
Click here for detailed route description and map.
