South West Wales/ Pembrokeshire routes

jairaj
jairaj Posts: 3,009
edited April 2012 in Routes
Looking to head out to Pembrokeshire this Easter weekend for some biking. Any one know of any good routes or trail guides for that area?

Skill levels are pretty good, I'm quite comfortable riding the classic Peak and Lake district routes. But I'm not used to big hills living in Hertfordshire so would prefer to keep the routes to a maximum of 30km to ensure I actually get back home :)

Comments

  • d00m
    d00m Posts: 160
    There isnt much in pembrokeshire; the most famous area for mtb'ing is the preseli hills, lots of open moorland, stone outrocks, and gentle hills. Beautiful place to spend a summer afternoon in good warm weather. There's some disused quarries criss crossed with single track too on the north side. No big hills in this part of Wales :)

    http://www.edinburghbicycle.com/comms/s ... ardinal=10
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    Thanks for that. Yep thats the route that seems to pop on most my searches. Is there enough single track to cobble together enough routes for a weekend of riding? or shall I look else where to complete the weekend?
  • d00m
    d00m Posts: 160
    Not a whole weekend, you could easily make a big day of it, adding in the quarries, and finish with a couple of pints in rosebush (tafarn sinc), although it depends where you're staying. You could always check out Llys y fran near Haverfordwest, and there's some scenic cycle routes through the countryside (brunel way), but they're not really proper mountain biking.
    If you're not tied exclusively to pembrokeshire, brechfa isnt too far a drive. About 40 miles from Rosebush, and there's some very good mountain biking to be had there, although the area is a bit boring for anything else.

    Nant yr Arian offers better trails, and more wilderness/scenery, but is about 50 miles north, although its close to Aberystwyth, which is a fantastic and lively little seaside town.
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    cool thanks for the tips will take a look at the things you suggested.
  • d00m
    d00m Posts: 160
    Did this happen in the end? Must've been a damp one :P
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    Yeah got a guide book with some routes. Ended up doing 2 routes in the Brecon Beacons which were really good fun and that loop around the Preseli hills which was a bit rubbish. The ground was like a marsh you couldn't cycle anywhere and navigation was tough as often there was no beaten track to follow. We ended up getting really de-moralised and didn't enjoy it at all. Still 2 good days out of 3 aint bad and the weather was fine only a light sprinkling once.
  • TrailGuru
    TrailGuru Posts: 53
    Yeah we rode that Preselis route a few weeks back before the dry spell and it was HARD work.. not much, if any singletrack and loads of bogs to negotiate.
    www.trailguru.co.uk - The ultimate guide to mountain biking in Wales
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    It would've made a great walking route though, loads of beautiful views. Just not a lot of interesting riding.
  • d00m
    d00m Posts: 160
    Gutted to hear that preseli riding sucked, its a surprise, and a great shame that pembrokeshire hasnt got any real trails.

    At least you got out in Brecon though; which loops did you go for? Did the classic gap a month or so ago in beautiful sunshine, and the views were amazing. Dodgiest descent ever too :mrgreen:

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