Reviews for Afan Forest Park Trail Centre

Summary:
good fun but quite short, only worthwhile trail at the centre

Review:
incorporates a long section of board walk which is always fun, the downs make the up worth it

Summary:
It's ok....

Review:
This trail would of been a 10 if it wasnt due to the vast amounts fireroads.. they just become a depressing slogg.

The downhill section especially the last decent is very free flowing which was excellent but if felt it lacked more drops or kickers.

All in all good route which would of been rated higher if it wasnt for the fire roads

Summary:
great trail, over too soon.

Review:
This is actually a 17km red graded trail with a brilliant 8kM start climb which is 95% singletrack. A truly technical and challenging challenging climb that feels super rewarding when you reach the summit. All rideable if you've got the skill and the lungs.

The 'black run' is worth doing, it doesnt really live up to its grade-suggested name but is fun non the less, the final small descent is nice and steep and will punish those slack line choices.

riding back up the fire road to pretty much the same trail junction as 'black run' will you bring you to my favourite part of the trail, 'Windy point'. Fast, flowy with techy sections to keep you on your toes, this is agreat piece of trail and one to ride at full pelt to get the most out of it. You shouldnt need the brakes until you 1st enter the woods, so lay off!

Grabbing your breath after this comes 'energy' and this will show you where your true fitness lies. A short run in leads you rapidly to a set of difficult to master tables, which are perhaps a bit too rocky to really get that rhythm going, but try and you will succeed. This leads to a great bit of technical trail riding, with raised edges pushing the trail to a width of about 1ft, no mistakes here! a sharp eye and snappy bike control are need if you want to keep your speed. This is followed by a short but energy sapping roller coaster section, before a nerve testing run of north-shore over looking a small stream to finish.

now in the bottom of the valley , a meandering exposed section gives u chance to catch your breath before a sharp technical climb (no dabbing!)with a slower easier climb to follow.

crossing a fire road, brings you too a meadering mid paced section of singletrack, which slowly takes you further up the valley side for the last 2 sections. A long raised north shore section is great fun with big swooping corners, the only thing slowing you down is your nerves!, before a short 200 yard fire road up to the final decent.

Starting slowly and winding through the trees the final decent slowly gathers pace before and before you realise your flying thru the trees giving it your best 'blue steel' poses. A few short sharp drops ( easily avoided if needed) keep you on your toes and its up to you to keep the speed going. a few sharp switch backs and rocky sections bring you sharply down to the valley floor where its a 5 minutes tarmac'd road cycle back to the start of the climb and back down to the trail centre.

this is a great trail for those who like to go full pelt all the time (like us) and those that find the idea of a 44km ride either a bit daunting, or arent equipped (36lb+) freeride bikes anyone?

Its also a great trail for novices to clip there wings as it can be ridden at any pace and there arent really any unavoidable features which could prove too much.

all in all - ride it like you stole it and you'll be rewarded!

*hint* (if you have the energy, head back up the first climb until you reach the summit, you go past it coming back. once at the summit turn right heading up the fire road for about a mile. This will bring you to an intersection with another fire road, turn sharp right. head down here about 500 yrds, just until the tree line. you will see single track going from left to right in front of you. head right, down this single track and you have reached the final 2 descent sections of the epic skyline trail!!) dont forget to flick off the pro pedal and enjoi!! [addict]

Summary:
Good trail, excellent for beginners

Review:
The other half want to try her 1st trail and from what I read penydd is generally regarded as the easiest of the afan trails. Unfortunatly we chose probably the worst weekend to go due to the weather making it seem alot harder than it was.

Climbs are reletively easy, not Tecnical as 95% are fire roads. Sidewinder for me as the best section along with the hidden valley.

Will definately head back but only when the weather is better as I think this more than other trails is seriously effect by it.

Summary:
brilliant but too short for me

Review:
love the climb up and the beautiful flowing desent but its a shame that to get in decent ride you would have to do it twice or add on the skyline which could be too much for the less intrepid