Bike Park Wales – The UK’s Best Mountain Bike Trails?

BikePark Wales is being hailed as one of the best locations for mountain biking in Wales (and the UK!).

The project has been built up over five years by a team passionate about bringing the UK’s best mountain bike park to Wales. The team behind BikePark Wales are all riders themselves — who better? It’s breathing life into the Merthyr Valley and attracting tourists further south than they’d usually venture from the peaks of the Brecon Beacons.

Who can ride at BikePark Wales?

BikePark Wales has been designed for all abilities; from a ‘green run’ for beginners through to challenging trails for seasoned riders. If you’re struggling to picture what a mountain bike park might look like, the team recommends picturing a ski resort. Once you’ve got that picture, remove the snow (unless you’re visiting in the dead of Welsh winter) and replace the pistes with amazing downhill bike trails through the Welsh mountains.

There are lifts in the form of minibusses that run throughout the day (known as the BikePark Wales Uplift). There’s no need to pedal/ push your wheels back to the top of the hill at the end of each run – although you can if you fancy it!

The park has over twenty trails, suiting every level of rider. It’s also the only UK venue to with a professional trail crew maintaining and building new trails throughout the year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzfFiP6CXUw

Can I get lessons at BikePark Wales?

Yes! If you’re new to the sport, the team also offer courses, tuition and bespoke packages to help get you up to speed on the mountain (literally!).

And once you’re done hurling yourself down the mountain, there’s a cafe on-site to get a good feed in. Using local Welsh producers, the grub is freshly made with daily specials. With views over the Brecon Beacons and full license, there aren’t many better locations to kick back and enjoy a beer after a day on the trails.

We’ve included some more information on the park below — see you on the mountain!

Can I rent bikes at BikePark Wales?

Don’t have a mountain bike? Not a problem.

Rental bikes are available at the park starting at £40 depending on what kind of bike you’d like. All the bikes are professionally maintained so there’s no need to worry about a malfunction out on the hill (and if you do have one, the team will be on hand to get it fixed).

You can also rent out protective gear if you don’t have your own.

Where is BikePark Wales?

BikePark Wales is located in South Wales, just outside Merthyr Tydfil. It’s about a thirty-minute drive from both the Brecon Beacons to the North and Cardiff and the M4 to the South.

As with all the best places, if you try to find it with SatNav, you’ll end up lost.

The address for BikePark Wales is:

Gethin Woodland Centre
Abercanaid
Merthyr Tydfil
CF48 1YZ

.. but we’d recommend following the directions on their website.

BikePark Wales Uplift Prices

A half-day pass for the uplift service costs £53 during the week and £60 at weekends. This gives you unlimited lifts up the mountain on the custom-built road.

Bike Park Wales Trail Map 2022

BikePark Wales Trail Map 2022
BikePark Wales Trail Map 2022

Written by Ed Maughan

Date: 24th June 2021

Category:
  • Adventure in Wales
  • South Wales