Members Reviews
Review by: thomoi on 11 July 2017
Summary:
A great smooth rolling well maintained trail, with limited facilities.
Review:
This is my local trail and I love the Green and Blue trail. There are two Portaloos and that’s the only facilities, no water, no shops nothing so bring what you need. The nearest shop is Brechaf local store or Abergorlech. Most of the trail is slate chippings and well maintained giving a great riding surface. The trail starts with a climb straight out the carpark so make sure you are ready for it. If you do the Blue trail it’s a long hard climb to the top the first descend. It’s meant to be ridden fast to get you over the next climb so nail it if you can, The next descend is more technical with little twists and turns a few berm’ed turns and table tops that have lost their edges and are now just large rollable bumps (nothing scary) but also have chicken runs next to them, When you get to the end of the blue run there is a large burned turn try and keep the speed going cross a fire road and down the green trail to a small bridge and Bench (only stop if you want to get annoyed by insects). Then it’s the green trail all the way back, it has some lovely swooping trail, try and keep your speed up to make the small climbs easier but really is fun as its easy on the wrists and plenty of smiles.
Review by: owain35 on 17 February 2012
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.
Review by: pHz on 5 June 2011
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.
Review by: Wolf Ridge 08 on 2 July 2009
Summary:
Someones Colour blind!!
Review:
Green is a blue, blue is a red. Still awesome though, A good introduction to proper mountain biking rather than pootiling around on forest trails.
Review by: antop34 on 19 May 2009
Summary:
swoopy!
Review:
Took my girlfriend here as her first introduction to welsh trails. I have to say i was impressed. I have ridden the Gorlech a few times, but this was just as fun, although the uphills seem to outweigh the downs. Sweeping singletrack, smooth and all weather, total winner if you combine the little bits of the black run that you can do via the blue and green,
