BikePark Wales

BikePark Wales (BPW) is a purpose-built mountain bike destination in Gethin Woods, on the outskirts of Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales. With 50+ trails across green, blue, red, black and pro grades, a quarry skills area and a pump track, it is one of the UK's leading mountain bike venues. Trails are categorised by colour grade and type: Flow, Technical, Blend and Plus. BikePark Wales won the iBikeRide UK Trail and Bike Park of the Year award in both 2023 and 2024.

BikePark Wales has approximately 13 blues, 16 reds, 14 blacks, 4 pro-lines, 2 greens, and a pump track.

There is an uplift service and a 5km singletrack ride-up option that takes around 30 minutes. BikePark Wales has 1,750 vertical metres descending from the summit of Mynydd Gethin (which sits at 491 metres in height).

Trail System Overview

BikePark Wales offers an extensive and diverse network of mountain biking trails, catering to riders of all skill levels and preferences. As the UK's largest mountain bike destination, it combines elements of a trail centre, downhill venue and freeride park into one comprehensive experience. The trails are categorised and graded to help riders choose routes that match their abilities and desired riding style.

Trail Types:

1. Flow Trails: Designed for smooth, fluid riding with berms, rollers and jumps.
2. Technical Trails: Feature challenging terrain with rocks, roots and drops, requiring advanced bike handling skills.
3. Blend Trails: Combine elements of both flow and technical trails for a varied riding experience.
4. Plus Trails: Include more demanding bike park and freeride-style features marked with a Plus logo, including gap jumps, larger drop-offs and timber Northshore features.

Colour Grading System:

• Green: Beginner-friendly
• Blue: Intermediate
• Red: Advanced
• Black: Expert
• Purple: Pro-level

Trail List

Flow Trails:

Green (Beginner):

• Badgers Run (1km)
• Kermit (5km)

Blue (Intermediate):

• Bush Whacker (0.6km)
• Melted Welly (1.8km)
• Blue Belle (1.5km)
• Norkle (1.1km)
• Sixtapod (2.2km)
• The Funnel (0.4km)
• Terry's Belly (4.6km)
• Willy Waver (1.7km)
• Roller Disco (0.33km)
• Popty Ping (0.55km)
• Double Barrel (blue with red shoulders)

Red (Advanced):

• Locomotion (0.3km)
• Insufficient Funds (0.8km)
• A470 (0.9km)

Black (Expert):

• Hard Shoulder (0.3km)
• Zut Alors (0.3km)
• Pork Belly (0.3km)
• Enter The Dragon (0.9km)

Purple (Pro):

• Trail X (0.1km)
• Vanta (0.7km)

Tech Trails:

Blue (Intermediate):

• Off Grid (0.4km)
• Fforest Bump (0.55km)
• Merthyr Rocks (0.9km)

Red (Advanced):

• Pandora's Rocks (0.75km)
• Vicious Valley (1.2km)
• Surfin' Bird (0.45km)
• Wibbly Wobbly (1.5km)
• Snakebite (0.65km)
• Rim Dinger (1.2km)
• Hot Stepper (1.6km)
• Groot (0.7km)
• Bonneyville (0.3km)
• Root Manoeuvres (2.5km)
• Ych a Fi

Black (Expert):

• Deep Navigation (0.3km)
• Coal Not Dole (0.4km)
• Rock 'n' Roll (0.2km)
• Dai Hard (1km)
• True Grit (0.2km)
• Boomslang (0.4km)
• Escort (0.4km)
• Half-Cut (0.3km)
• 50 Shades of Black (1.8km)

Blend Trails:

Red (Advanced):

• AC DC (1.2km)
• The Snicket
• Watts Occurring (1.25km)

Black (Expert):

• Blackadder (0.82km)

Purple (Pro):

• The Martian (0.4km)
• Join the Dots (0.3km)

Quarry Skills Area

The Quarry Skills Area, located near the start of the popular Popty Ping trail, offers graded drops and jumps, parallel gap and table jump lines, rollers, skinnies and berms, and a unique Steeps zone with technical bedrock rolls and drops. There is also a pro-line for advanced riders. Session-able step-up jump features Air470 and Dragons Back complement the skills area.

Pump Track

• BikePark Wales has a pump track alongside the main venue area.

Beginners

• BikePark Wales offer a Beginner Uplift Experience for discovering the green and blue tracks. Protective equipment and a premium hardtail bike are included.
• There is a classroom at the entrance for beginner introductions, and coaching sessions are available to book through the website.

eBike

• BikePark Wales is eBike friendly with a free charging station (booking required). Free AXS battery charging and loaner batteries are also available.

Adaptive MTB

• BikePark Wales offers an Adaptive Bike Pass with mapped access to approved trails, tailored for adaptive bikes such as the Bowhead Reach. Support riders go free and a trail map is provided on arrival.

Facilities

• Main cafe at the entrance, snack bar with hot and cold drinks at the summit on weekends, bike wash, bike hire, bike shop, workshop, visitor centre and car park.

Expansion

• In August 2024, BikePark Wales signed a new 33-year lease with Natural Resources Wales to significantly expand the trail network across 400 acres of mountainside. The plan includes 9 climbing routes, 27 downhill trails, 7 linking trails and 2 new skills areas, along with sustainable accommodation (glamping pods and chalets) and a rewilding initiative to return the mountain to ancient forest.

Share

• If you have ridden the mountain bike trails and tracks at BikePark Wales, please share your pictures, videos, tracks and reviews.