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Brechfa Mountain Bike Trails

Brechfa Mountain Bike Trails
Avg 3.92
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup
Number of Reviews (14)

*You can claim this trail if you are the trail owner

  • Information:
  • Type: Mtb Base
  • Grades: Green,Blue,Red,Black
  • Facilities: Car Park,Cafe
  • Distance(s): Under 5km, 5-10km, 11-20km
  • Country: Wales
  • County: Carmarthenshire
  • Website: Brechfa Forest
  • Facebook:

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Description

Brechfa mountain bike trails consist of a green/blue (The Derwen) and a black run (The Raven) at one site/car park and then another trail the red (The Gorlech) at another car park/ site close by. They were designed by Rowan Sorrell. There is a car park and portaloo on site.

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Brechfa Forest - Byrgwm, near Carmarthen

  • Byrgwm is two miles north-east of Brechfa village on the B4310. From the A40 between Llandeilo and Carmarthen, take the B4310 towards Brechfa village. Car parking is free of charge. There are two trails here the Black Raven and the Blue and Green Derwen

The Black Raven

  • The Raven is just under 19km and has great singletrack, shore, gnarly sections and steep descents with jumps and berms. This trail is suitable for technically proficient experienced riders.

The Blue and Green Derwen

  • The Derwen Blue 4.7 km (or green option 9.2km) Derwen trail is set in a beautiful setting again and is suitable for families and beginners.

Brechfa Forest – Abergorlech, near Carmarthen

  • Sifigwm woodland car park is an alternative starting point for the mountain biking trail. This quiet and remote car park is accessible from a minor road off the B4337, half a mile from the village of Rhydcymerau (OS grid reference: SN 553 395). Here you can find the Red graded Gorlech trail

The Red Gorlech

  • The Gorlech is 19km and has sweet singletrack, swooping berms, jumps and the surface is hard, all weather and fast. Suitable for intermediate riders with some technical experience. 

Other Stuff

  • The Raven (plus Derwen) and the Gorlech trails are at different car parks. The Trailhead at Byrgwm is for for Derwen and Raven trails and the Trailhead at Abergorlech is for the Gorlech trail. 
  • Brechfa MTB (CIC) hold the maintenance contract with Natural Resources Wales to help maintain the Brechfa MTB trail network.
  • They are also a stone's throw from Hafod Trails a new uplift bike park that is family and kid-friendly but has something for all abilities from green to black trails. 5 trails initially will go live with a good mix of flow and tech. And within driving distance of Afan Forest and the Cwm Rhaeadr.

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  • If you have ridden these mountain bike trails at Brechfa then please share your experiences with us and write a short review or post your pictures and videos to the listing 

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Wayne Buckingham :
Avg 4.58
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Great place

Great place ..always look forward togoing when visiting family down that way!! :)

What do you like?

Great trails for all skills

What could be improved?

Some parts need minor repairs where badly worn but mostly in great condition!

Would you recommend?

Yes

Date written:

01/10/2016 - over 9 years ago

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0
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Wadam00:
Avg 3.57
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
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The Gorlech

I rode the Gorlech on my own one damp September morning. Enjoyed the whole loop but took it fairly easy as there is no phone signal if you cock it up. Tough first climb that seems to go on forever. Loved the first descents, I avoided the optional jump lines but they looked good. Second climb was a killer with tons of midges bothering me. Saw some RAF jets buzzing around the valleys below which was cool. The final descent was cool bar the state of the trail in places, multiple lines have developed and some are not so good...great place to ride, will be back with Mates to ride the lot for a weekend.

What do you like?

Remote forest riding. Good trails with fast descents.

What could be improved?

No facilities at the Gorlech car park when I was there September 2014 plus the pub was shut. No phone signal (maybe not a bad thing!) if your riding on your own

Would you recommend?

Yes

Date written:

28/12/2014 - about 11 years ago

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2
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Gary :
Avg 4.42
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
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quiet & fun

A must for those that don't like crowds

What do you like?

Remote quiet location, can't stand those rides near major cities or that areultra popular. This is rural and your unlikely to meet or get held up by other riders. If you like the quiet life I can't imagine many better then this. Really fast sweeping tracks, not heavy on the technical, but lots of high speed sections The really good bit - it's my local track!! lol

What could be improved?

If your a comfort type and like burger bars and tea huts then your out of luck :-) being west Wales it's usually wet :-( couple of bike friendly local pubs though

Would you recommend?

Yes

Date written:

27/12/2014 - about 11 years ago

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1
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beardedbiggs:
Avg 3.81
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

we pulled up into the fairly small car park thinking it would be packed but only 6 other cars there. set of on a long fire road climb, which led to a single track climb, which led to a fire road climb, which led to a single track climb etc etc! on reaching the top you do get a real feel that you have earned the reward of a fun descent, and you certainly get it. the surface had a fair amount of slate and was fast and sweepy with a good amount of features. ww were having alot of fun on here but then my wife had a pretty big crash on it and sliced her arm up pretty bad. once bandaged up we then had the big disappointment of returning back to the van via the fire roads. gutted!!! looking forward to coming back here to complete the red route.

What do you like?

well built descents trails looked after fun

What could be improved?

lack of facilities one hell of a climb!

Would you recommend?

Yes

Date written:

27/08/2014 - over 11 years ago

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2
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Trailmade:
Avg 4.21
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
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Literally fun for everyobe

Any rider that doesn't normally ride a blue or green you would be gutted to not ride them at brechfa. They are by far some of the best flowy trails i have ridden. They keep your speed so well that you will be grinning the whole way down. The gorlech trail is a must do for any rider with good off road skills, not suitable for anyone who doesn't normally ride techy reds. There are three main climbs, the first being the biggest. However, doing over 1000 meters of climbing is an amazing feeling once it is done! My favourite descent here is the first as it has an almost bike park feel to it, just with the typical wales feel to it! The final descent is incredible but has some pretty steep parts in so be warned!

What do you like?

Some of the best, flowy trails around!

What could be improved?

You will be left wanting to live there. You won't be able to decide if you prefer the red, blue or green

Would you recommend?

Yes

Date written:

17/07/2014 - over 11 years ago

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2
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Psychotext:
Avg 3.99
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

My go to trail.

The blue and green loops here are some of my favourite trails in the UK. So much flow on offer, a great reminder that some trails don't have to rely on ultratechnical sections to be worth riding.

What do you like?

So much flow. Short enough to do multiple times in a visit. Excellent for night riding.

What could be improved?

Too far away from me to ride as much as I would like. :( Suffers after rain. Worth avoiding so that you don't tear up the trail too badly. Limited facilities.

Would you recommend?

Yes

Date written:

28/11/2013 - about 12 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

1
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