Road bikers will love the country rides and steep mountain roads with fast descents found in the Bannau Brycheiniog. Mountain Bikers can enjoy some of the finest off road riding in southern Britain and access to 4 man-made trail centres offering riding at all levels. 

A folder of bike routes can be found in the Leaders Room.

Mountain Biking on local routes

From the cottage

a) Go back to the main road.  Turn right to go up to Rhigos.  Turn right, then left and follow road to Cwm-hwnt and Maesyffynon House.  Follow track west along Craig Hendre-fawr to Pontwalby and then NE towards Craig y Ddinas.  Take bridleway NE past Moel Penderyn and end with long downhill on minor road back to track leading to the centre.

b) Go back to main road. Turn left and go through industrial estate, over the first roundabout and go straight over the next roundabout towards Treherbert.  This gives access to a large number of forest tracks from just south of Coed Morgannwg Way at GR 923027.  To the east is a surfaced forest track.  To the west there are many possible options.  There is a good descent back to Hirwaun.

From near Dolygaer Outdoor Pursuits Centre

Parking is available at the southern end of Pentwyn Reservoir on the west side.  

a) Head northeast up Cwm Callan to bridleway junction on Pen Bwlch Glasgwm.  Turn southwest.  At first exposed and then a long grassy down hill past Cerrig y Llwyni (on the right) and keeping right at bridleway junction (not obvious) to join road.  Head north alongside Pontsticill reservoir to start.

b) As a) but at bridleway junction carry on north east towards Pen Rhiw-calch (spot height 394m).  Turn left and follow long but easy uphill.  Head south near Blaen-y-glyn to follow dismantled railway back to start.

Taff Trail

This long distance route runs from Cardiff to Brecon.   It passes through a variety of landscapes and has specifically been designed for cyclists and walkers.  The trail passes through a variety of landscapes allowing the user to explore the beauty of the Taff valley.  Part of the route follows the course of the old railway line that ran from Merthyr to Brecon.

Roman Road through the Bannau Brycheiniog

A classic route starting at Talybont-on- Usk and going south to the Roman Road that runs up past the Neuadd reservoir across the pass between Cribyn and Fan-y-Big before dropping down to the north.  The high point is almost 2,000ft (600m) so go prepared.  Distance about 18 miles.

Mountain biking in the Brecon Beacons

CLEAN UP AFTER A MUDDY DAY USING OUR BIKE WASH FACILITIES AND SAFELY STORE YOUR BIKE IN OUR lARGE BIKE SHED, FEATURING OUR aWESOME CUSTOM BIKE GATE!

CLEAN UP AFTER A MUDDY DAY USING OUR BIKE WASH FACILITIES AND SAFELY STORE YOUR BIKE IN OUR lARGE BIKE SHED, FEATURING OUR aWESOME CUSTOM BIKE GATE!

Wales has has some of the finest single track routes in the country with many of them in forest locations at the 4 Trail Centres.  In the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park sixteen cross country routes make riding in the Bannau Brycheiniog a must for any mountain biker.

Ride open forests, struggle up loose and steep climbs, weave down some wonderful descents and find some of the steepest and most challenging drops. Whether you want bone shaking moorland or gentle spins through stunning countryside you’ll find it in the Brecon Beacons.

In order for you to plan your visit all the routes start and finish at one of the 5 major mountain bike centres called hubs. They are to be found at Brecon, Crickhowell, Talgarth, Talybont on Usk and Sennybridge. Rides are graded to help you select the right route, at the right level for you.

A route pack containing all 16 routes and lots of useful information is on sale from the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park offices and via their web site. All routes are on public rights of way and are cared for by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Wardens. Money from the purchase of the packs goes towards the maintenance of the trails. 

Mountain biking at trail centres

Riding for all abilities on well signed and groomed trails with bike hire, bike repair, refreshments and toilets on site.

There are Trail centres located at:

More information from: www.cognation.co.uk. They also have bike hire and repair facilities.

Beacons Bike Bus

This service operates from Swansea and Cardiff from end of May until End of August on Sundays and Bank Holidays. There are Cycle loading and unloading stops at Brecon, Talybont on Usk, Storey Arms, Garwnant Visitors Centre, Glynneath, Brecon Mountain Railway,Cardiff Bus Station, Gabalfa, Tongwynlais Quality Hotel, Rhydycar Leisure Centre, Killay Square, Sketty Cross, Quadrant Bus Station.

For full details about times call 01873 853254 or www.visit-brecon-beacons.com.

Bike Hire, Repairs & Guides

Bikebase  01873 855999
Mon-Fri 8.30am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm. Bike & accessory sales, repairs & servicing.

Bikes & Hikes 01874 610071 www.bikesandhikes.co.uk
Offer Mountain Bike Hire and delivery service as well as guided rides. Accessory, sales, repairs.

Bi-Ped Cycles 01874 622296 www.bipedcycles.co.uk
Mon- Fri 9am-5.30pm Sat 9am-5pm (Sun open by arrangement for bike hire).
Bike & accessory sales, Bike hire,wheel building, repairs, servicing, delivery,collection & guide service.

Black Mountain Activities 01497 847897 www.blackmountain.co.uk
Mon-Sun 9am-5pm Bike hire, delivery & collection service. Instructors/Guides.

Brecon Activities 01874 624387 www.breconactivities.co.uk
Mon-Sun 9am-5pm. Bike hire and guiding service.

Brecon Cycle Hire 01874 622651 www.breconcycles.com
Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm Bike & accessory sales,Bike hire, wheel & Bike Building, repairs.

Gateway Cycles 01873 858519 www.gatewaycycles.co.uk
Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm Bike & accessory sales, repairs, servicing, bike hire.

Hobo Backpackers 01495 718422
Mon-Sun 9am-7pm. Bike guiding & maintenance courses.

Treads and Trails 07534 859614 https://www.treadsandtrails.co.uk
Based in the Bannau Brycheiniog and providing guided mountain biking & hiking adventures for individuals and groups all over the Bannau Brycheiniog for many years.