Reviews for Penmachno Mountain Bike Trails

Summary:
Well worth the journey

Review:
Rode on 29th December, minus 2 degrees! Welsh ice is as bad as any other but apart from that is a great ride. Climb is a gentle warm up compared to some, what goes up has to come down though and you'll not be dissapointed with the narrow, fast and technical single track. Be careful not to miss the last loop like we did first run. Recommend leg armour, I left mine off and bashed knee bad, five out of six of us had an off but all had smiles to compensate, does not have the same level of injury potential as Marin. Will go back when no ice.

Summary:
if your in the area go...if your not in the area, go!!!!

Review:
llandegla was my favorite until i went here today. what a good ride. the 2nd loop extends the trail to around 30km and is a must, the views are awesome and the trail varied and fun. there is just about everything u could want here, a bit of northshore and lots of good flowing singletrack. the uphills are not to testing and mostly on the fire roads with some singletrack going up every now and then, but all uphills are rewarded at the end. it was dry when we went and lots of rocks made for lots of fun but i can imagine them being very slippy if wet. i loved this trail and will be going back asap, but you have to include the 2nd loop if you go, if only for the views.

Summary:
Nice riding with classic scenery (If you dare to take your eyes off the track!)

Review:
The original route suffered from fireroaditis but including loop 2 gives a perfectly balanced track. If you ride hard for 17m the fireraods are a welcome break to re-compose yourself and prepare for the next singltrack. Loop 2 is a classic piece of trail cutting. The riding is so well designed that interest is cleverley maintained along both outbound (down)and return (uphill) legs. The scenery along this section is breathtaking with views down Dyffryn Conwy, Dyffryn Lledr and Moel Siabod. B-Y-C is only just down the road so the lack of facilities isn't a problem.

Summary:
Very nice trail especially with the new loop

Review:
Not such good views as the Marin but a much greater percentage of singletrack (being a bit anal I worked it out: 43% for the Marin, 71% for Penmachno if you do both loops).
The individual singletrack sections on the second loop are as long as nearly anything manmade I have ridden (I estmate over 2.5 k for one.
It feels more tiring than the Marin despite the lengths and height gains being similar(Penmachno is a bit less if you just do the original loop, more if you do both). I think this is because all the singletrack is narrow and demands concentration.
I don't understand how they get the length to be 22 km tho. My bike computer is quite well calibrated and gives 18 km for the first loop and 27 km for the pair. This fits with map plots.
You have to be picky or unfit to moan at the forest road climbs given the above singletrack percentages. I only give a rating of 8 cos I'm mean and there is always room for improvement. Its good.

Summary:
Fast bumpy narrow singletrack - take a spare tube

Review:
The (inevitable) climbs are up through forest roads which is fine but most of the trail (I'd say 80%) and all of the down hill is narrow stony single track. In fact VERY narrow in some places and follows the side of some steep drop offs - not the place to come off. Not too technical but the sharp slippery stones (some parts of the trail become streams in wet weather)and narrow stony track will keep you on your toes.

Due to proximity, comparison with the Marin Trail is inevitable. IMHO Marin is more technical but a bit disjointed and while Penmachno is less technical, it's more flowing and is the better for it. Ride both in the same day and find out for yourself.

By the way, the directions in the 'Trail Location' section above are incorrect. You take the A5 (NOT the A470) south out of Betws and after a couple of miles turn right at the 'Conway Falls Cafe' (not the 'Conway Falls Hotel')down the B4406 signed Penmachno. Drive through Penmachno and the carpark is up a gravel track on the RHS about 3/4 of a mile out of the village just after the forestry comes down to the road the road.