Reviews for Brechfa Forest Mountain Bike Trails

Summary:
My local favourite

Review:
The Raven is my most ridden trail as it's my local and it's where I've cut my teeth over the last couple of years since I took up mountain biking.
There's plenty of variety and can be ridden all year round but obviously it's at it's fastest during the dry Summer months.
There's a couple of very rewarding steep climbs that can really test you if you're not familiar with them and plenty of flowing descents which you can really rail when you learn them well.
As regards facilities, just a couple of portaloos at the car park but during the Summer months there's a really good food stall (The Shed https://www.facebook.com/TheShedBrechfa/ ) with some awesome homemade delights.
If you haven't ridden The Raven then it should definitely be on your "To Do" list, but I would say that as it's my favourite local!

Summary:
Better than Gorlech!

Review:
The Derwen trail is wonderful for so many reasons. Firstly, don't assume it is for beginners because it is one of those rare trails which is rewarding for any ability. Great, playful singletrack through stunning woodland with some climbing but nothing too harsh. Secondly, you can branch off and session the 'blue' section which has a small but steep singletrack climb followed by a descent which is totally bonkers. Beginners can chill on this section, better riders can stay off the brakes and send the tabletops and drift through the slate corners. Rejoining the green, you cross a bridge, climb a little more before hitting a fast-as-you-like trail which gradually descends back to the crossroads. I though it was all over then, but the green actually serves up one more bonkers piece of trail back to the carpark. Good riders can get some serious airtime here, beginners will still enjoy the rollercoaster. If I went back to Brechfa I'd probably just do this twice instead of the massive let down of the Gorlech.

Summary:
More than just a Green/Blue

Review:
Agree with the previous review - at other centres these trails would be graded 'one higher' (I guess they're not as you COULD ride the descents here slow and safe on a poorer bike and still have fun).

Lots of climbing (Brechfa published trail profiles show 800m of ups overall on the Green + Blue combined if I count right) but the descents are swoopy and and as fast as you dare (and even share some downhill trail with the Black route if you do the Blue loop).

Great trail if you or your bike aren't quite up to the technical challenge of a 'full' red route, but still huge fun if you and your rig are strong enough to hit it hard and fast.

Summary:
really good trail

Review:
good trail lots of hardcore bits. but alot of uphill so is good if you know the place well and can just skip to the downhill parts, if thats what you like

Summary:
heaven and hell indeed

Review:
i met some guys in the car park who gave me a tip to miss out the big climb through the forest however i got really lost and it ended in a blair witch type effect ending up at the same place 3 times. There was also a diversion which didnt help. Some sections are absolutely brilliant, some bits pretty frightening for the average red run user. I went during the day in the week and hardly saw anyone which is the way i like it. You need to be very fit and very technical to get the most from this trail but if you are both of those i can imagine this is absolute heaven.