Nant yr Arian Mountain Bike Trail Centre

Nant yr Arian mountain bike trail centre sits in Nant yr Arian forest above the Cambrian Mountains, about 9 miles east of Aberystwyth on the A44. This Natural Resources Wales trail centre has 1 blue, 2 red and 1 black graded trail, a family friendly gravel forest road route, and a bike skills park, all starting from the same car park. It is also one of Wales' best known red kite feeding sites, with up to 150 birds swooping in over the lake most afternoons.

The Trails

• Arian Trail (gravel, family friendly): 7.9km on forest roads with no singletrack, 160m of climbing, around 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. An easy loop out to Blaenmelindwr lake, including a short section on a public road that circles the lake and a steepish climb back to the car park.
• Melindwr Trail (Blue): Loop 1 is 1.85km with 75m of climbing, Loops 1 and 2 together are 5km with 110m of climbing. A progression trail for riders comfortable on blue grade before stepping up: a forest road climb and a flowing, berm laden descent on Loop 1, then a climb up 'The Nose' before a long, flowy descent of rollers and berms on Loop 2.
• Pendam Trail (Red): 10.2km with 200m of climbing, around 1 to 2 hours. Strings together some of the best flowing sections at Nant yr Arian with relatively short climbs, including 'Italian Job' and a fast final descent on 'High as a Kite'.
• Summit Trail (Red): 18.5km with 440m of climbing, around 1.5 to 2.5 hours. The longer, more demanding red trail, weaving through the forest and out onto exposed moorland, with a long descent on 'Mark of Zorro' after the climb up 'Leg Burner'.
• Syfydrin Trail (Black): 36km with 750m of climbing, around 3 to 5 hours. An epic loop through remote, exposed countryside that takes in all of the Summit Trail's singletrack before heading out onto the high open hills. Much of the route is technical doubletrack shared with 4x4s, motorbikes, horse riders and walkers, so stay alert for other trail users.

Skills Park

• Parc Sgiliau, the purpose-built skills park, has rollers, step ups, berms, tabletops, hips and bowls, a good place to warm up or work on technique before tackling the longer trails.

Gravel Riding

• The Arian Trail is a 7.9km forest road loop out to Blaenmelindwr lake, well suited to gravel bikes or families wanting an easier ride alongside the graded singletrack. It has no singletrack sections and only 160m of climbing, with a short stretch on a public road circling the lake.
• The waymarked Mynydd March horse riding trail (10.7km) runs mostly on forest and public roads with a variety of surfaces. As a bridleway it is also open to cyclists, so it is worth considering for extra distance beyond the Arian Trail.

Beyond the Trails

• Nant yr Arian is one of Wales' best known red kite feeding sites. Kites are fed by the lake every day at 2pm, free to watch, with a bird hide and viewpoint reached via the wheelchair accessible Barcud Trail around the lake.
• The site also has waymarked walking trails, two running routes (Y Llo and Y Fuwch), the Mynydd March horse riding trail, four permanent orienteering courses, and two children's play areas, so it works well for a mixed group, not just riders.

Getting Here

• Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre car park, A44, Ponterwyd, Aberystwyth, SY23 3AB. About 9 miles east of Aberystwyth on the A44 towards Llangurig, signposted on the left.
• Parking charges apply every day from 6am to 11:59pm: free for a drop off up to 30 minutes, £1 up to 1 hour, £3 up to 2 hours, £7 up to 4 hours, £12 for the day. Free for registered Blue Badge holders. Prices are correct as of September 2026 but subject to change, so check current rates on the Natural Resources Wales website before you go.
• The visitor centre building is unstaffed with no cafe or shop, but there are portable toilets and a hot drinks and cold food unit in the car park, open six days a week, 10am to 4pm (5pm from Easter to the autumn half term).
• The nearest mainline railway station is Aberystwyth. The X47 bus between Aberystwyth and Llanidloes stops on request at the car park entrance.
• Aberystwyth, a short drive down the A44, has bike shops, places to eat and accommodation if you want to make a weekend of it.
• Trails at Nant yr Arian are subject to periodic diversions and closures for forestry operations and maintenance. Always check the Natural Resources Wales page for current alerts before travelling.

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