I make sure I visit Wales as often a possible because I just love the hills, the remote mountain scenery and the "get away from it all" factor. Little did I know that the so called "big climbs" on this ride are actually monster climbs but there are descents to match. Despite the challenging climbs I loved this ride and when we finished I wanted to go round again, but I was persuaded into a few drinks and a Pub Meal so I decided to forgo the re-run. All I can say now is read it, ride it and enjoy it!
This article / review is the second in a series of three, featuring what I think are some of the best rides in Wales. This article covers the 28-mile ride in the heart of the Black Mountains. Although this ride does have some long sections of road riding and a distinct lack of true singletrack it does have a fair mix of technical climbs and descents with long reaching views down to the Wye valley and beyond.
My riding partner rode this ride when he was in Wales back in February and because it was such a good route he decided to go around again with me tagging along. Just days after we rode this route a very similar route appeared in MBR No.39 (August 2000). Described as a "Classic Route" by MBR it covers much of the same ground as the route described here.
| Physical | Technical | Fun | Scenery | Singletrack | Rideability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ***** | *** | **** | **** | *** | **** |
There isn't much on this route in terms of lunch stops except the pub on the A497 (GR 174296), which is located just over half way round the route. Although we only stopped for a drink here I understand that they do serve bar meals during the day.
Get out a highlighter, and Landranger no.161, and mark out the following waypoints.
| Location | Grid Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Car Park | 267252 | ||
| 5 Way Junction | 285211 | ||
| Triangle Junction | 247202 | ||
| Crossroads in Llanbedr | 240204 | ||
| Gate at Tal-y-maes | 225256 | ||
| Cairn at Hill Top | 205287 | ||
| Minor Road | 193267 | ||
| Pengenffordd | 173300 | ||
| Wide & Rutted Track | 188333 | ||
| Plateau alongside Y Das summit | 203327 | ||
| Grwyne Fawr Reservoir | 233308 | ||
| Car Park | 267252 | ||
| Total distance 28 miles | Riding time 5 hours | ||
You can begin this route at a number of points but we decided that a car park in the Mynydd Du Forest would be the best starting point, giving us a good road section to warm up on before the real offroad climbing began. I would suggest the first car park you come to on the road into the Mynydd Du Forest, which is located just to the right of the road at grid reference 267252. From here you start by riding back down the road you have just driven up as far as the telephone box and 5-way junction at Grid Ref 285211. At this point turn right on to the small road that crosses the river and then forks at which point you should take the left fork and follow the road in a Westerly direction until you reach a triangle junction (GR 247202) at which point you should bear right and travel about 200m before taking a bridleway down to the left.
The bridleway will descend steeply into a tree covered valley along which you should ride until you reach a second bridge across the stream, which you will cross before climbing steeply out of the valley and into the village of Llanbedr.
At the crossroads in the village (GR 240204) turn right until you reach a T-junction. Turn right and continue going north until you reach the end of this road after about 3 miles. At this point the path becomes a track to Tal-y-maes. Just before reaching the entrance to Tal-y-maes itself you should find a gate leading into a field straight ahead (GR 225256), this is the where the offroad ride begins. You start by following the path down into the valley and across a bridge before climbing gradually for a long 2 miles along a grassy path. This path starts of gently but towards the very top, just when you are beginning to flag it gets steeper still leading up to a cairn at the top of the hill (GR 205287). We rode almost non-stop from the bridge to just below the cairn at the top on a very humid July morning; we didn't quite make it the whole way in one go though. There's a challenge for you!
From the top you descend gradually down the western flank of the hill in a southerly direction before reaching a sharp end at the end of a wall at which point the path becomes slightly more interesting at speed as you fly over moderate drop offs onto wet and slippery grass whilst dodging the sheep. Needless to say I ended up doing a bit of grass skiing on my side down part of this section. When you reach a minor road at the bottom (GR 193267), turn right and right again at the next turning. On reaching a fork in the road, bear left and head for the A479.
Ride along the A479 for about a mile before turning right onto a minor road at Pengenffordd (GR 173300). Take this road until it becomes a track and then follow that around to the right of the farm and for about 300m up a short climb until you reach a gate leading into a field of sheep. Ride through this field along the lower edge until you reach a gate and a road at the end (watch the ruts towards the end!). Follow this road for about a mile and a half until you reach an unofficial car park on the right (GR 188333) and a very wide and rutted track leading up to the base of Y Das. Follow this rutted track and begin to climb the steep slope of Y Das. You should find that it is not possible to ride up for the most part until you reach to top so be ready for a climb of over half an hour on foot to the summit of about 670m high. Enjoy the views as you climb this hill, they are some of the best in the area!
On reaching a plateau at the top of the track (GR 203327) you will probably find yourself being attacked by swarms of midges luxuriating in the boggy flats on the top, you will also find yourself a little confused about where to go as 6 paths all converge at this point. It is difficult to describe which one to take as they are all very indistinct in the desolation of the moorland but the best piece of advice I can give is that you need to be riding in the direction you were traveling already and you should be going gradually downhill rather than up (a compass may be a good idea, especially if the weather isn't ideal). If you do manage to find the right track you will be heading downhill towards the Grwyne Fawr Reservoir (GR 233308). When you do reach the reservoir it is downhill all the way to the car, just keep going straight ahead down the valley until you join the road and then keep going down the valley until you reach the car park where you left your car. This 7 mile descent is an excellent end to an excellent ride.
Last Updated 05-09-2000
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