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Cycling
Millenium Coastal Park Cycle Path
Along the 10 mile length of the park is a gloriously flat, smooth and traffic free cycle path, from Pembrey Country Park to The National Wetland Centre, taking in Burry Port, the Water Park and the Discovery Centre en route.
It is an easy cycle ride, suitable and safe for all ages (other than when it is very windy!) The most popular route is from the Discovery Centre to Burry Port - a distance of six miles. The National Wetlands Centre is four miles from the same starting point.
If you are a serious cyclist, the attraction is that it links into the 377 mile long Celtic Trail (Part of the National Cycle Route NCR 47, 4) linking Newport in South Wales to Fishguard in the far West.
By the same token, it is an easy walk (smooth & flat) for those who just prefer to saunter along taking in the views of the Gower Peninsula.
Nearby cycle routes
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Route Name |
Kidwelly then hills |
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Distance : miles (km) |
49.46 (79.60) |
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Duration(hh:mm) |
05:00 |
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Difficulty |
7/10 |
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Calories Burned |
2003.13 kcal |
Nice and easy out to Kidwelly as long as the wind is not blowing in your face. then start working back to Carmarthern. Turn right to Pontyates, serious climbs and descents to Cynheidre then easy into Llanelli and back home.
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Route Name |
Celtic Route Then Back to The Sea |
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Distance : miles (km) |
32.74 (52.69) |
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Duration(hh:mm) |
03:12 |
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Difficulty |
4/10 |
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Calories Burned |
1325.97 kcal |
Start at Felinfoel, get onto the celtic trail route 47, and ride up to Tumble. At Tumble cross the main road and carry on route 47 until you get to Cross Hands.
At Cross Hands cross over the main road following the sustran signs until you come to Porthryd.
At Porthryd get on the A48 until you come to LLanddarog.
At LLanddarog by the church take a left turn down to Cwmisfael, take a right turn and follow country road to Llangendeine,at Llangendeine, you will join onto the b4306 for a short period then taking a left turn you will carry on country roads until you reach Pontantwn, join onto the b4309, take a left at the church and then follow country road to LLandyfaelog. just before reaching the village there is a turning left, take this and you will go over a small humped bridge, just after bridge, take a right turn and follow road all the way to signpost that sais Kidwelly on it ( Also has a picture of cat on it.)
Take a left at junction and you will join onto the A484,come down the hill until you get to a roundabout, take a left and head for Pembrey and LLanelli.
As you are going along keep your eyes open for a small gate on right of road.
This route will take you through Pembrey Forest and will take you back to route 47 and on to the Millennium Coastal Path to Bury Port, at Bury Port head for Llanelli, then carry on up to Felinfoel.
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Route Name |
Felinfoel to Tumble and back |
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Distance : miles (km) |
18.54 (29.84) |
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Duration(hh:mm) |
01:48 |
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Difficulty |
2/10 |
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Calories Burned |
750.87 kcal |
The Celtic route along the side of the Swiss Valley Resorvoirs.
Cycle routes further Away
A short distance away from Trepartridge are Llandovery and Llandeilo to discover the best of beautiful Carmarthenshire. The classic cycle route is a beautiful 32 miles up to the ancient Dolaucothi goldmines. The gradual climb gives you stunning views of the valley from a road which only sees about 15 cars a day. The routes in the cycle pack also take you to the Botanic Gardens at Aberglasney, and to explore the Myddfai Valley, the original home of herbalism in Britain. All routes have stunning views and have been planned to make the most of the river contours and inclines so that you can enjoy the scenery without it all being too strenuous. You’ll be cycling along quiet country lanes and moderate hills.
Mountain Biking in Afan Forest Park
Twisty, rooty, rocky and in places wildly exposed, the singletrack in Afan Forest Park is the enthusiasts dream.
The trails here have been carved out of hillsides once scarred by coal mining, but now the valley has been transformed into singletrack heaven by Forestry Commission in partnership with Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council, Visit Wales and the local community group Glyncorrwg Ponds Co-operative.
Afan Forest Park is home to 5 world class trails, the ‘Penhydd’, ‘Y Wal’, ‘Skyline’, ‘White’s Level’ and 'W˛', boasting over 100 km of singletrack heaven. Afan Forest Park was the only UK trail destination to feature in the ‘What Mountain Bike Magazine’ as one of the ten best places to ride “before you die”, December 2004 issue. In 2008 it was also voted one of the top ten public forests in the Uk by the Sunday Telegraph.
Penhydd
Distance: 16Km
Climb: 550m
Time: 1-3 hours
Overall grade: red/difficult
This is a varied trail, which combines forest and road climbs with tight, technical, switchback trails through mixed woodland. The open, flowing singletrack also crosses young plantations opening up fantastic views.
Big climbs followed by technical descents mean that this trail can be difficult and is exposed to bad weather on high ground. Please make sure that your bike is in good working order and that you are adequately equipped.
Y Wal
Distance: 23Km
Climb: 450m
Time: 1.5 - 3 hours
Overall grade: red/difficult
Some of the best singletrack descents in the UK, the trail essentially traverses the North side of the Afan Valley on singletrack, varying from fast, open and flowing to tight, technical and rooty.
Great views of the valley and coastline open out at different points, and in places the steep-sided slopes can feel exposed.
The approach to the singletrack shares a section of the lower level family cycleway and the disused railway line, so please ride with consideration for the many other forest users.
Skyline
Distance: 46km
Climb: 2000m
Time: 5 - 7 hours
Overall grade: red/difficult
The trail starts at Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre.
Skyline is a giant of a ride. Ensure you and your equipment are fully prepared for an epic skyline ride.
Sharing the same sheep-track ascent as White’s Level and continuing on long, forest road climbs with sweet, flowing technical singletrack descents you will be treated to stunning skyline views of Brecon Beacons, the Preselis, the Black Mountains and the South Wales coast.
This route will test your stamina and your nerve, with technical singletrack such as the ‘On the Edge’ and ‘Excalibur’ sections. Your reward will be out-stretched views and a nerve-tingling, rocky, 6km singletrack descent back into Glyncorrwg. There are also 2 short cut loops built into the trail.
You will experience exposure at altitudes up to 600 metres, and possible extreme weather changes. Again, be prepared.
White's Level
Distance: 15km
Climb: 400m
Time: 1.5 - 3 hours
Overall grade: red/difficult
The trail starts at Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre.
This is the most technical of all the trails in Afan Forest Park and is 90% purpose built singletrack.
A 6km sheep track climb gives fantastic views of Afan Forest Park, extreme exposure on tight singletrack means ultimate thrills and long, demanding descents with rocky steps to negotiate, all leading to one outrageous trail.
If you are up for it try out the optional new Black Run, graded black/severe!
W˛
Distance: 44km
Climb: 975m
Time: 4 – 7 hours
Overall grade: black/severe
This another giant of a trail for Afan Forest Part at 44km, but unlike the Skyline it has a watering hole halfway round.
Whether you kick – off from Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre of Glyncorrwg Mountain Bike Centre, the other centre is your halfway service station for food, drink and a well deserved break.
The trail combines Afan’s existing ‘Y Wal’ and ‘White’s Level’ trails (hence the name W˛). A high level link connects these trails, with some fantastic views of both the Afan and Neath Valleys for you to enjoy.
The trail includes two of the most demanding descents in the UK.
Personal Safety
- Ride within your ability
- Ensure your bike is safe to ride and be prepared for all emergencies.
- Always carry some sort of identification.
- Always tell someone where you are going.
- Reflective materials on your clothing of bike can save your life.
- ALWAYS wear a helmet.
- Particular care should be taken on unstable or wet surfaces.
- Always carry water, snacks and spare clothing
- In an emergency contact emergency services (999). If mobile reception is poor dial 112 for emergency services (for any network). Alternatively, contact the Ranger service at the Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre on 01639 850 564.
- Once you have made contact with emergency services and/or the Forest Park Rangers – make sure you remain at the location described.
- Whilst riding the trails – remember the way marker post numbers/name of sections as in an emergency this will save valuable time to locate you in an emergency.
For further information regarding cycling please see:
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/wales/easy-rides-in-wales
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