Maybe try again in summer but avoid during winter.
What do you like?
The few descents that were open were pretty fun and flowy. Views are terrific
What could be improved?
Standing water - this felt more like a ride on a river bed than a trail centre, prepare to get very wet and cold. Change of clothes is essential. There was almost no trail drainage that I noticed. Climbing vs descents - for how much climbing we did (600m+) the descents were very few and far between. Not helped by the fire road descent linking loop 1 to 2. Total waste of an hours climbing. Loop 2 - waste of time, only purpose is to recover height lost to afore mentioned fire road descent. Signage and information - v limited. If you're travelling from NW UK, save yourself some petrol and go to Llandegla. Far better vfm.
Best trail I've experienced in the Uk to date. Travelled down from Northumberland to do Marin, Coed y Brenin and Penmachno, and the full Penmachno loop was by far and away the most complete trail experience. The final descents are the incredible considering the are built on donations.
What do you like?
Excellent variety of single track styles, views are outstanding and descents just go on and on. Every minute of the ride was enjoyable.
What could be improved?
Could do with a toilet of some description at car park.
Loved it! Felt like riding a natural trail out in the wilds with great views out as you rode. Loved the first climb & descents in the woods, the first set singletrack in the open hillside was great at speed and we had some close calls. The more technical climbing sections late on were a challenge despite all the water. Best bit was the long traverse about 2/3 around which felt like it went on for ages. New sections were different but good, hopefully they will bed in a touch.
What do you like?
Great scenery on the way round, fantastic trails with good climbs & descents, fast new sections & loved the last descent
What could be improved?
Limited facilities at trail head.
Standing water - but no real bother just I hate wet feet
Personally dont like one of the loops...all singletrack but zero grin factor! ...shame. New sewctions completed last month are disappointing...incongrous and certainly dont flow.
What do you like?
Rugged, exposed and challenging. Rocky and puddly. Couple of decent downs which privide grin...and sore wrists! limited fire road.
What could be improved?
can be very wet...poor drainage but not mud...more like streams.
This is a proper trail with more single track than you could ever want.
But be warned its very remote and with no facilities apart from a car park go prepared.
Have ridden this trail at all times of the year and there are always sections that are wet , but it all adds to the fun.
This trail has possibly one of the longest sections of singletrack I have ever ridden and has a real good flow to it.
It is a little technical in sections and its worth noting its red grading is near the top of the grading scale.
Well worth a trip and remember to leave a donation in the honesty box at the trailhead when you leave.
What do you like?
Lots and lots of varied singletrack
never gets busy