| Route |
Contributor |
Last Updated |
Where |
Distance |
Tags |
|
WMB 104 Swaledale Yorkshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 09:54 |
|
3.4km |
|
| Start/Finish: SE 04602 98862
Fremington
Total distance: 7.8km (4.85
miles)
Total ascent: 64m (210ft)
Total Time: 30-90 minutes
Route summary: This is a
beautiful and mostly flat route
mixing farm tracks, meadows
and riverside singletrack to
give beginners a great
introduction to this northerly
Yorkshire Dale. If you fancy
incorporating some more
strenuous and technical riding,
you can easily tag the start or
finish of the Moderate Ride
onto this one.
Turn right out of Dales
Bike Centre and over the
bridge. Turn right up past the
church as the road curves
round to the left.
Turn right again along the
singletrack road between
dry stone walls.
Continue straight onto
the bridleway as the
road turns left uphill. Follow
the farm track until it opens
out into riverside meadows.
Follow singletrack along
the riverside to a gate. Go
through (remember to close it
after you) and traverse
upwards under Stubbin Farm
up to the road.
Have a drink and a
breather then retrace
your route down to the river
and along to the bike centre.
|
|
WMB 113 Pennine Trail Centre Easy |
ocoutts |
Aug 24th 2010, 02:13 |
|
5.1km |
|
| Start/Finish Lee Quarry trail
centre parking (near Futures
Park, Bacup). SD863216
Total distance 5km (3 miles)
Time 1-2 hours for play time
Map Ordnance Survey OL21:
South Pennines (1:25,000)
Summary A stiff climb to start,
then more singletrack fun than
you can shake a stick at, as well
as dedicated learner sections.
Follow the track straight
out of Futures Park, climbing steadily and passing through one gate. This is the beginning of the Lee Quarry complex; you’ll fi nish by coming in through the wooded area on the right, but for now, climb up the doubletrack,
bearing right before going left
and following red-route signs
up the technical opening climb,
which winds gradually up the
eastern edge of the quarry.
On the open section at the
top, follow the route up and over the spoil tips, using route markings to guide you past black-graded hazards.
Enjoy the trademark bermed sections, which drop you down into a sheltered
area before a short but tough climb and a great descent to the skills area.
Bear left (the multiple lines on the right all link up if you want to play) to climb around the southernmost high
edge of the quarry for great
views and a sense of exposure.
This is the beginning of the long fi nal drop back to the quarry’s edge – it’s a
sustained descent that loops around the western side of the quarry, taking in fast, winding singletrack, some slabby rock sections, a jump line and the
trail through the woodland at
the foot of the quarry.
If you fancy playing on the pump track before you hit the final section, bear right instead of crossing the mini cattle grid halfway down the descent.
You’ll find the addictive distraction nestled on the edge of the quarry’s base above you and to the right.
|
|
WMB 108 Dalby Forest, Yorkshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 02:28 |
|
6.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: Adderstone
Field, High Dalby
Total distance: 6.5km (around
4.1 miles)
Total ascent: 140m (459ft)
Time: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Summary: The UCI Mountain
Bike World Cup will be held on
the weekend of 23-25 April,
starting with a town centre
criterium race in Pickering on
Friday. Junior and citizens races
are being held on the Saturday,
with the Elite male and female
races on the Sunday.
On race day the start will
be a sprint round the field
and then a quick loop round
and back in to where the feed
zone will be. Mortal riders are
best just starting on the red
route section that crosses the
road from Dixon’s Hollow.
Roll the first few jumps
and berms then follow the
red/black route, taking the fire
road rather than the rock infested
black route options.
Take care down the
rocky gully. If you want
to cut out the long climb
and zig-zag Medusa’s Drop
descent, just follow the gully
all the way to the bottom.
Follow the course markers
up the long climb and
work round the north of the
course. Make sure you take the
chicken run rather than the
drop into Worry Gill, although
if there are any skilled riders
around cheering them off the
drop is great fun.
Challenge yourself to see
how far you can get up
the other side, but expect to
push unless you’re a pro. The
trail then levels off a bit, but
twists and turns still keep it a
challenging ride whatever your
pace. After that, the singletrack
leads back into the bowls,
jumps and corkscrew bridge
sections of Dixon’s Hollow.
Offi cially, you should now
trundle straight back to the
start field. However, there’s the
opportunity to add a lot more
North Shore trail sections or
another couple of loops of the
skills area if you’ve developed a
taste for the technical. |
|
WMB 108 Dalby Forest, Yorkshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 02:29 |
|
6.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: Adderstone
Field, High Dalby
Total distance: 6.5km (around
4.1 miles)
Total ascent: 140m (459ft)
Time: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Summary: The UCI Mountain
Bike World Cup will be held on
the weekend of 23-25 April,
starting with a town centre
criterium race in Pickering on
Friday. Junior and citizens races
are being held on the Saturday,
with the Elite male and female
races on the Sunday.
On race day the start will
be a sprint round the field
and then a quick loop round
and back in to where the feed
zone will be. Mortal riders are
best just starting on the red
route section that crosses the
road from Dixon’s Hollow.
Roll the first few jumps
and berms then follow the
red/black route, taking the fire
road rather than the rock infested
black route options.
Take care down the
rocky gully. If you want
to cut out the long climb
and zig-zag Medusa’s Drop
descent, just follow the gully
all the way to the bottom.
Follow the course markers
up the long climb and
work round the north of the
course. Make sure you take the
chicken run rather than the
drop into Worry Gill, although
if there are any skilled riders
around cheering them off the
drop is great fun.
Challenge yourself to see
how far you can get up
the other side, but expect to
push unless you’re a pro. The
trail then levels off a bit, but
twists and turns still keep it a
challenging ride whatever your
pace. After that, the singletrack
leads back into the bowls,
jumps and corkscrew bridge
sections of Dixon’s Hollow.
Offi cially, you should now
trundle straight back to the
start field. However, there’s the
opportunity to add a lot more
North Shore trail sections or
another couple of loops of the
skills area if you’ve developed a
taste for the technical. |
|
WMB 108 Dalby Forest, Yorkshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 02:31 |
|
6.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: Adderstone
Field, High Dalby
Total distance: 6.5km (around
4.1 miles)
Total ascent: 140m (459ft)
Time: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Summary: The UCI Mountain
Bike World Cup will be held on
the weekend of 23-25 April,
starting with a town centre
criterium race in Pickering on
Friday. Junior and citizens races
are being held on the Saturday,
with the Elite male and female
races on the Sunday.
On race day the start will
be a sprint round the field
and then a quick loop round
and back in to where the feed
zone will be. Mortal riders are
best just starting on the red
route section that crosses the
road from Dixon’s Hollow.
Roll the first few jumps
and berms then follow the
red/black route, taking the fire
road rather than the rock infested
black route options.
Take care down the
rocky gully. If you want
to cut out the long climb
and zig-zag Medusa’s Drop
descent, just follow the gully
all the way to the bottom.
Follow the course markers
up the long climb and
work round the north of the
course. Make sure you take the
chicken run rather than the
drop into Worry Gill, although
if there are any skilled riders
around cheering them off the
drop is great fun.
Challenge yourself to see
how far you can get up
the other side, but expect to
push unless you’re a pro. The
trail then levels off a bit, but
twists and turns still keep it a
challenging ride whatever your
pace. After that, the singletrack
leads back into the bowls,
jumps and corkscrew bridge
sections of Dixon’s Hollow.
Offi cially, you should now
trundle straight back to the
start field. However, there’s the
opportunity to add a lot more
North Shore trail sections or
another couple of loops of the
skills area if you’ve developed a
taste for the technical. |
|
WMB 108 Dalby Forest, Yorkshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 02:32 |
|
6.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: Adderstone
Field, High Dalby
Total distance: 6.5km (around
4.1 miles)
Total ascent: 140m (459ft)
Time: 20 minutes to 1 hour
Summary: The UCI Mountain
Bike World Cup will be held on
the weekend of 23-25 April,
starting with a town centre
criterium race in Pickering on
Friday. Junior and citizens races
are being held on the Saturday,
with the Elite male and female
races on the Sunday.
On race day the start will
be a sprint round the field
and then a quick loop round
and back in to where the feed
zone will be. Mortal riders are
best just starting on the red
route section that crosses the
road from Dixon’s Hollow.
Roll the first few jumps
and berms then follow the
red/black route, taking the fire
road rather than the rock infested
black route options.
Take care down the
rocky gully. If you want
to cut out the long climb
and zig-zag Medusa’s Drop
descent, just follow the gully
all the way to the bottom.
Follow the course markers
up the long climb and
work round the north of the
course. Make sure you take the
chicken run rather than the
drop into Worry Gill, although
if there are any skilled riders
around cheering them off the
drop is great fun.
Challenge yourself to see
how far you can get up
the other side, but expect to
push unless you’re a pro. The
trail then levels off a bit, but
twists and turns still keep it a
challenging ride whatever your
pace. After that, the singletrack
leads back into the bowls,
jumps and corkscrew bridge
sections of Dixon’s Hollow.
Offi cially, you should now
trundle straight back to the
start field. However, there’s the
opportunity to add a lot more
North Shore trail sections or
another couple of loops of the
skills area if you’ve developed a
taste for the technical. |
|
WMB 109 Quantock Hills, Somerset_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 02:58 |
|
9.1km |
|
| Start/Finish: Holford village
Total distance: 9.5km (4.1
miles)
Time: 1-2 hours
Summary: One up, one down
and a scenic trundle along the
tops gives you a taste of what
the area has to offer without
being too intimidating.
From the centre of
Holford, take the byway
that leaves the village to climb
due west out of the village,
along the ridge that borders
the north edge of Hodder’s
Combe. Ascend steeply, sticking
to the main trail and keeping
Alfoxton Park and Pardlestone
Hill to your right.
As the doubletrack levels
off, bear left to continue
climbing on the bridleway.
Crest the rise and descend to
Bicknoller Post; it’s
marked with a wooden
pillar and is a great place
to soak up the view.
Turn left along the main
track, sticking with the
wide, rough and sometimes
loose doubletrack as it heads
south along the spine of the
ridge over Thorncombe Hill.
At the split above Hurley
Beacon, bear left,
ascending gently to the top of
Robin Upright’s Hill where six
paths of varying levels of
defi nition converge.
Take the bridleway left
which heads towards
Holford and descend Frog Hill
to the valley fl oor, where you’ll
pick up the Holford Combe
singletrack. Follow the river
downstream, crossing over it
several times. Pass through the
gate at the end and head back
to the village along the road,
with Combe House Hotel to
your left. |
|
WMB 103 The Long Mynd Shropshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 05:18 |
|
9.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: Minton village,
SO432477
Total distance: 20km
Time: 1-2.5 hours
Maps: Ordnance Survey OL217
The Long Mynd & Wenlock Edge
1:25,000
Summary: It’s short but sweet
and doesn’t scrimp on the fun:
there might only be one up and
one down, but they’re both top
notch so don’t fret.
Start in Church Stretton if
you fancy a road spin,
otherwise begin in Minton
village. Pick up the singletrack
road beside the phone box and
head south-west to Hamperley.
In Hamperley turn right at
the crossroads of three
roads and one track. Follow
this road through to Churchmoor Farm and then through Prior’s Holt to Nut Batch, where you enter the
edge of the forest. Climb
steadily through the trees.
The forest roads here wind
gently up the contours but
do alter slightly from what’s
printed on the map, so take
your time with navigation.
As you exit at the top, go
straight on to join the
permissive path that skirts the
landing strip — and not the
bridleway that crosses it. Pass
behind the gliding club’s
buildings, cross the cattle grid
and look to your right for the
fingerpost marking the top of
Minton Batch.
Follow this bridleway as it
leaves the grassy area and
dives down through several
boggy sections to become fast,
smooth singletrack. This is the
Minton Batch descent and it
drops down the valley more or
less following the river.
Keep straight as you exit
the singletrack onto a
farm track. Once you hit the
road at the end turn left to
return to Minton, and then on
to Church Stretton if that’s
where you began. |
|
WMB 114 Brecon Beacons Beginner Route |
ocoutts |
Sep 8th 2010, 04:14 |
|
12.3km |
|
| Start/Finish Talybont-on-Usk,
OS grid reference SO115225
Total distance 12.4km
(7.7 miles)
Total ascent 350m (1150 feet)
Total time 1-2 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey
Explorers OL12 and OL13:
Brecon Beacons National Park
Summary A technically simple
spin along the valley side above
Talybont Reservoir, but with a
reasonably significant climb.
The route starts behind
the White Hart Inn. Cross
the Monmouthshire and Brecon
Canal to join the Taff Trail,
climbing steadily on what
should be a good surface. This
fi rst stretch is a suitable warm
up – take it steady.
After 1.5km, fork right and
descend to join an easy,
wide track. After 500m you’ll
pass the dam wall at one end of
the Talybont Reservoir. Carry
on, following the track
alongside the reservoir and
then follow the path gradually
uphill for about 3.5km.
You’ll reach a trail junction roughly level with the top end of Talybont
Reservoir, with a signposted
bridleway descending to the
right. Don’t take that – you
need to follow the track
opposite, doubling back left
and climbing more steeply on a
stony track. Continue climbing
for 1km. It’s quite steep and
stony, but all rideable with
suitable gear selection.
After 1km, you’ll emerge
from the trees and reach
the ridge at a junction with a
stone bench and finger post.
Take a well-earned break.
Follow the obvious wide track
heading north-east, initially
along the ridge (to the right if
you’re sitting on the bench).
Don’t take the track that forks
left and descends into the
woods. The trail descends
along the path of the old
Brinore Tramroad.
Eventually, you’ll rejoin
the first section of the
route, so just retrace your path
back to Talybont. |
|
WMB 111 Exmoor Moderate |
ocoutts |
Aug 24th 2010, 12:05 |
|
12.3km |
|
| Start/Finish: Porlock village car park,
GR884468
Total distance: 12.5km (7.8 miles)
Total Time: 1.5-2hrs
Summary: On paper, this doesn’t look
too different to the easy ride, but this
loop is a step up in challenge with all the height gained in one steep hit and lost again in a glorious singletrack rush.
Leave the car park via the road
and turn right onto the B3225
towards Porlock Weir. Follow this road for about 1.5km until it forks, then head left along the old toll road.
Follow the road for a few hundred
metres until you reach a signposted
steep bridleway heading left. It
initially runs parallel to the road.
The trail is a mixture of singletrack
and stretches of forest road. It’s
steep, but persevere to enjoy a flatter
singletrack section higher up before a
short descent to the bridge and minor
road. Go through the gate and turn left, carrying straight on towards Pitt Farm where the road swings right. Go
through the farmyard to pick up a
bridleway in the far right corner. Turn
left at the bridleway junction and then
climb up the steep forest track. |
|
WMB 110 Lake District, Cumbria_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 04:50 |
|
12.6km |
|
| Start/Finish: Ambleside, Market Cross
Total distance: 12.6km (7.8 miles)
Time: 1-2 hours
Maps: OS Landranger 90:
Penrith & Keswick
Summary: With stiff climbs on
both sides of Loughrigg Fell,
you’ll want to ensure you’re
well fuelled. The payoff is two
equally amusing descents.
From the Market Cross,
follow signs for Skelwith
Bridge and turn right just after
the bridge onto Rydal Road.
After the first cattle grid, turn
left and climb to the top of
Loughrigg Fell, going straight
through the gates.
Crest the fell and drop
steeply over a river
crossing, keeping straight
ahead at the junction,
then follow the trail all the
way to the tarn. Take a
right where the trail joins
the road and skirt the tarn
before climbing to rejoin
Grasmere road at Red Bank.
Continue to the next
junction, leaving the road
just before it drops towards
Grasmere to pass through a
gate. This is the start of
Loughrigg Terrace; head down
the hill, bearing right to pass
through one more gate where
the trail narrows to singletrack.
Turn right at the T-junction
near the bottom.
Splash through several
water crossings, navigate
the end of Rydal Water, then
follow the bridleway as it
climbs briefl y to the final gate.
At the cattle grid, turn
right (away from the main
road) and follow Rydal Road
back along the valley floor
until you hit Ambleside. |
|
WMB100 Fort William, Scotland_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 03:00 |
|
13km |
|
| Start/Finish: Braveheart car
park, GR NN121736
Total distance: 13.2km (8.2
miles)
Height gain: 260m (850 feet)
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Maps required: OS Landranger
OL41, Ben Nevis, Fort William
and Glen Coe
Route summary: A sheltered
and easy climb up Glen Nevis
on fi re roads, followed by a
short singletrack downhill,
scenic road pedal and fast
singletrack back along the
River Nevis to the Braveheart
car park.
Starting in the wellsignposted
Braveheart car
park on the Glen Nevis road,
leave the car park and instead
of turning left to descend to the
road, turn right up the fire road
and through the gate.
Keep left when the track
forks at GR NN121722 —
the West Highland Way forks
right at this point. Carry on
climbing steadily up the
undulating track for another
4.3km at which point you
take the right-hand fork,
climbing more steeply for a
short time.
Where the track takes
a sharp switchback
right turn, look on the left for
an easy-to-miss trail in the
undergrowth heading steeply
down the hillside. It’s quite
technical for a short stretch
here, so go easy if you aren’t
confi dent — take a look first.
Follow this trail down to the
road, where you turn left onto
the tarmac.
Just before the excellent
Café Beag on your left (an
ideal opportunity for a quick
top up) turn right over the
footbridge. At the other side,
turn sharply left onto the
singletrack running along the
riverside. Follow this for nearly
2km, until you reach another
footbridge crossing back over
the river. Arrive at the Nevis
car park, then turn right on the
road and keep an eye out on
your left for the singletrack
path paralleling the road back
to the Braveheart car park. |
|
WMB 112 The Dark Peak Easy |
ocoutts |
Aug 24th 2010, 01:42 |
|
13.5km |
|
| Start/Finish: Ashopton Bridge.
OS reference SK191864
Total distance: 13.7km/8.5miles
Time: 1-2 hours.
Maps: Ordnance Survey OL1:
Dark Peak area
Summary: The rocky descent
to Hagg Farm is the technical
highlight here; the rest of the
ride is either grassy trail or
woodland singletrack.
Take the Fairholmes road. Turn left onto the access road signed Crook Hill Farm/ B&B. Climb steeply, bearing
right through the gate beside the farm buildings to open pasture. Follow the grassy track, which is vague at times;
there are signposts but you’re
aiming for the gate at the top
of the hill.
Continue straight alongthe ridge, passing through several more gates until you come to a gate and stile at a
crossroads with Lockerbrook
and Rowlee Farm tracks.
Bear left through the gate and descend to Hagg Farm on steep, rocky
doubletrack, passing through yet more gates.
Cross the A57, descend on cinder track and cross the river via the bridge before bearing left. The track climbs
briefl y before bearing sharp
right to continue to Hope Cross.
Instead of following this, pass
through the gate on left and
return to the riverside track
before bearing right up the
steep, rough access track.
Climb steeply, sticking
with this path as other
footpaths deviate to the left
and right. Crest the rise and
continue going straight to
begin a gradual descent back to
the riverside track. The path
narrows, has steeper sections
and a couple of small stream
crossings, but is generally easy.
At the exit to the main
track beside the reservoir,
turn right and continue to the
dam. Cross it then bear left
along the mixed-use path to
return to Ashopton Bridge. |
|
WMB 111 Exmoor Easy |
ocoutts |
Aug 24th 2010, 12:02 |
|
13.7km |
|
| Start/Finish: Dunster village main car park, GR993439
Total distance: 14km (8.7 miles)
Total Time: 1.5-2.5hrs
Summary: A short taster loop, with a mixture of woods, moorland and heath.
From the car park, head through the village on the main road. Just as you’re about to run out of village, take a lane to the left and follow it to a
ford. Cross it and then take the
obvious track into the woods,
turning left to climb the signed
bridleway. After about 800m,
the main track swings left, but
follow the bridleway right and
descend to a minor road.
Turn left onto the road
and then almost immediately fork right up Nutcombe Bottom. Go
past the car park on the left and look out for a bridleway on the right
before the road steepens.
This initially descends before
climbing to the edge of the
woods and then dropping down
to Timberscombe.
Once you’re on Tarmac, keep right to emerge on the A396. Turn right for 500m then take a left onto a minor
road, and go left at the T-junction. Climb gently to Ranscombe village then turn right on bridleway as the road swings left. Climb steeply, then
follow the track heading east
along the ridge until you see a
finger post to Dunster on the
right. Follow the fast trail down
through the woods, watching
out for a tight right-hander
near the bottom.
You’ll emerge back on the
A396. Turn left and follow
the main road back into
Dunster for tea and cake. |
|
WMB 105 Malvern Worcestershire_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 11:02 |
|
13.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: North Malvern car park,
SO770469
Total distance 14km (8.7 miles)
Time 2-4 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey OL 190 Malvern
Hills and Bredon Hill
Summary A fast and furious trail
teaser that takes in the best of the
Malverns’ riding.
From the car park at North
Malvern, take the left of two
bridleways to fi nd the zig-zag climb
that takes you up the eastern fl ank of
the hill.
Contour around the northern face
of North Hill, descending and then
climbing slightly to a grassy saddle
before turning hard right to descend a
fall-line path. Turn left at the bottom
and climb all the way back up the hill to the saddle between Sugarloaf Hill and Worcestershire Beacon. Continue
straight to pick up the rollercoaster
sequence, which eventually exits at St
Anns Well.
From here, climb steeply
back up to the saddle,
bearing left to ascend
Worcestershire Beacon. From the
trig point, take the left of the two
bridleways that descend due
south, dropping into the cutting
to enjoy singletrack.
At the road exit, cross
tarmac and bear right on
more singletrack, which descends
to another road where you pick
up another bridleway right to
climb back up to Sugarloaf Hill.
Bear left at the saddle to
pick up Lady Howard De
Walden Drive, which contours
around the eastern face of the
hill and returns you to the fi rst
switchback ascent of the day,
which you now descend to return
to the car park. |
|
WMB100 Fort William, Scotland_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 03:44 |
|
13.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: The North Face car park,
GR NN145764
Total distance: 14km (8.7 miles)
Height gain: 619m (2023 feet)
Time: 2-3 hours
Maps required: OS Landranger OL41,
Ben Nevis, Fort William and Glen Coe.
Route summary: One for the climbers
in your group — takes you up to the
high crags of Ben Nevis for a real
mountain feel. Lots of technical
singletrack in a spectacular location.
Leave the North Face car park on
the track heading southeast,
crossing the river. Follow this for a
short time before taking the narrow
track on the right, climbing steeply.
At the next crossroads take a left
on the ‘puggy line’ (light railway)
track. Follow this for 450m then take a
sharp right onto more singletrack. This
switchbacks up to meet another track,
where you turn left.
Follow it to a T-junction, where
you turn right. This takes you all
the way to the mountaineer’s footpath.
Follow the excellent singletrack
southeast into the corrie ahead.
The trail pops over frequent water
bars here, so practise your rear
wheel hops! Keep climbing up the trail
up to the foot of the crags. Just short of the CIC Hut the trail deteriorates so you might want to turn round here.
Alternatively push your bike
up for lunch by the hut. (It’s
a private Scottish Mountaineering
Club hut and will be locked.) Turn
back and reap the rewards as you
descend down to the track.
Carry on past the original
track you arrived on and
take the next left. Follow the track
left as it contours round the hill
heading south-west, then take a
right onto the track descending
steeply down the hillside.
When you reach the track
junction at the bottom by
the pylons, turn right and you’re
back on the ‘puggy line’ — after
1.5km you’ll see the singletrack
you climbed up on your left.
Follow this back to the car park
and a well-earned cuppa. |
|
WMB 105 Malvern Worcestershire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 10:34 |
|
14.1km |
|
| Start/Finish: Lower Wyche car
park, SO770441
Total distance 14.1km (8.7 miles)
Time 90 minutes to 3 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey OL 190
Malvern Hills and Bredon Hill
Summary There’s a couple of
stiff climbs on this ride, mostly
on well surfaced trails and
farm track. Be careful with the
directions as it gets fi ddly when
you turn back on yourself.
Park up at Lower Wyche
and head to the cutting
along the road, where you’ll
find a clearly signposted
bridleway, which contours
along the eastern edge of the
hill. Follow this, sticking to the
leveller paths, until you reach
a hairpin junction above some
houses.
Begin the climb up to
Perseverance Hill, which
takes you through cattle gates
and out of the woodland onto
open hillside. Descend sharply
between two gates, then
pick up the path, which
switchbacks briefly before
bearing left to descend
towards the road.
Take a sharp right at the
crossroads at the
bottom, emerging onto
tarmac and following fi rst the
minor road and then the
A449 to the car parks at
British Camp. Take the left of
two bridleways to loop round
below the hill, turning sharply
back on yourself at the route’s
southerly tip to travel back to
Little Malvern and then back
onto bridleway after retracing
your steps on the road.
Pass your initial exit
point and continue to
access a slightly easier climb;
this is a long pull that crosses
the previous route, but you
should fi nd yourself at the top
with perseverance.
Bear right at the edge of
the trees, descending
gentle singletrack all the way
back down to the Wyche
cutting before hopping back
on the road to get back to the
car park. |
|
WMB 109 Quantock Hills, Somerset_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 03:02 |
|
15.1km |
|
| Start/Finish: Holford village
Total distance: 15.1km (9.4 miles)
Time: 1.5 to 3 hours
Summary: A pairing of two ups and two downs that makes a great half-day
teaser, with a high grin factor and plenty of time spent in the combes for shelter if the weather’s bad.
Head north-west from the village
square and pick up the trail into
Hodder’s Combe that bears southwest.
After a mile or so, the valley and
the track split; take the right hand of
the two wider options and begin the
ascent of Lady’s Edge. Follow your
nose as the valley narrows and you’ll
eventually climb straight out of the
top end, arriving at the top at
Bicknoller Post.
The descent of Weacombe is
directly opposite; starting with a
wide, grassy track that’s a bit bumpy
thanks to the combined efforts of
mountain bikers and Quantock grazing herds, it then narrows into a mile of fantastic singletrack with the obligatory stream crossing. Pass through one gate as you enter the conifer plantation, then bear left through another gate as
the track joins the road.
Follow this singletrack
behind Bicknoller, making
two dogleg junctions where it
meets two roads before passing
Paradise Farm to resume climbing
up the combe.
At the top of the beech
avenue, continue straight
ahead to climb out onto the open
moor. At the top, bear right on
the northerly of the two
doubletracks before taking an
immediate left turn onto the top
of the final descent.
Follow your nose as the
singletrack winds down the
hill, into the trees, over the log
drop and down into Hodder’s
Combe, before bearing right to
finish on the track along the
valley floor that you ascended on
at the start of the ride. |
|
WMB 113 Pennine Trail Centre Moderate |
ocoutts |
Aug 24th 2010, 02:33 |
|
16km |
|
| Start/Finish Lee Quarry trail
centre parking (near Futures Park,
Bacup), SD863216
Total distance 16km/10 miles
Time 2-3 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey OL21:
South Pennines (1:25,0000)
Summary Two very different man made tracks linked by a quick hop over the top of Rooley Moor. Starting out from Futures Park in Bacup, follow the beginner route directions to navigate Lee Quarry’s red circuit up to and part-way through the exposed section along the centre’s rear wall.
Pick up the link route where it leaves the red path and strikes out over the open grass towards Rooley Moor Road. This was a twinkle in the trail builders’ eyes when we rode the route this summer, so we can’t tell you precisely what it looks like, but it will be well signed, and surfaced to cope with the increased traffic in a far better way than the peat-based moorland of the surrounding area.
Join Rooley Moor Road, part of the Pennine Bridleway, bearing right towards Waterfoot and keeping the sprawl of Manchester’s suburbs on your left. Descend briefly before contouring along the hill and entering the Cragg Quarry complex on the right. Follow the twists and turns of Cragg Quarry’s marked route as it heads west. It’s almost entirely singletrack and will leave you dizzy, but there really are no opportunities to get lost if you stick with the marked path as it loops back on itself and returns you to your start point. Return to the first trail centre, retracing your tyre tracks along Rooley Moor Road and the link route. Rejoin the Lee Quarry trail where you left it in order to finish the red route. If you want more of a challenge, the tougher, black-grade track will drop you into the quarry shortly after you rejoin the red. With steep, rocky drops and some exposed singletrack, it’s not one for the faint-hearted but offers a good workout for those withburlier constitutions.
|
|
WMB 106 Pitlochry, Highlands_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 11:37 |
|
16.6km |
|
| Start/Finish: Moulin Road, Pitlochry
NN938582
Total distance: 16.6km (10.3 miles)
Time: 1.5-3 hours
Maps: Trailmaps Highland Perthshire
Map 1: Pitlochry, Killiecrankie and
Faskally
Route summary: Mixed bag of fi re
road and singletrack, mainly sheltered
and requiring attention to navigate.
Leave Pitlochry on Moulin Road
(opposite WHSmith) and climb to
Moulin village, turning left behind the
Moulin Inn. Follow this to golf course,
then right on the climbing doubletrack.
At top, take the tiny singletrack
left turn along the hedge. It’s a
well-surfaced path that climbs steeply.
At the end, turn right up the fi re road
and climb around three switchback
turns to the mast at Craigower.
Take the signposted left turn on
singletrack, descending into the
woods, over the back of the hill to the
fi re road where you turned right
previously. Turn right here and
follow fi re road for two miles.
The turning on the left that
takes you under the A9 is
clearly signed; follow this
singletrack as it descends steps,
then passes beneath the bridge
and switchbacks down to the old
A9. Right towards Killiecrankie,
keeping an eye out for left turn
that doubles back and descends
below the road to river’s edge.
The return leg is simply a
matter of following the river
back to Pitlochry: the trail is a mix
of fl at, wide footpath and tighter
rooty singletrack. At Faskally
itself you’ll fi nd yourself in a car
park; follow the road around the
river bend then bear right to get
back to the trails, continuing in a
southerly direction until you
reach the road at the boathouse
near Clunie Bridge. |
|
WMB100 Fort William, Scotland_Classic Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 03:26 |
|
19.8km |
|
| Start/Finish: Braveheart car park, GR
NN121736
Total distance: 19.9km (12.4 miles)
Time: 2-4 hours
Height gain: 724m (2367 feet)
Maps required: OS Landranger OL41, Ben Nevis, Fort William and Glen Coe
Route summary: A strenuous climb out of Glen Nevis, with challenging singletrack and fast forest blasts.
Starting in the Braveheart car park
on the Glen Nevis road, turn right up
the fire road and through the gate. Follow the track as it climbs steadily.
At the track fork, go right following
the West Highland Way (WHW) thistle
marker posts. This track begins to climb more steeply before switchbacking further up as it reaches the head of the glen.
Follow the main track up and over the rise.
Just after you begin descending, keep
an eye out on your left for the
singletrack heading off into the woods, marked with a WHW thistle post. Follow this singletrack through the trees — there are no other trails to go wrong on.
Pass through the gate and leave the
forest, sticking to the WHW as it goes
up the side of a small hill then down to
another gate. Pass through this and begin the descent down to the road.
At the WHW information board turn
right onto the singletrack road
(marked as alternative WHW route into Fort Bill). Follow this to the outskirts of the town.
Just as you’re reaching the first
houses take the track on your right,
climbing steadily back up onto Cow Hill.
Begin the epic climb back up to the
border, turning left to join The Street
at OS NT792191. Navigation is fairly
straight forward here: follow the obvious doubletrack as it makes its way south over one false summit after another.
At the high point of the stony track
there is a cow’s head sign marked to
Glen Nevis. Take this right and descend initially on wide trail.
A sign on your left reads ‘multi-user
trail’ but isn’t marked on any maps.
Take this trail and descend on excellent flowing path all the way to Fort William.
Take the right turn and the trail turns
back on itself to return you to the
Braveheart car park. |
|
WMB 103 The Long Mynd Shropshire_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 05:25 |
|
19.8km |
|
| Start/Finish: Carding Mill SO445944
Total distance: 20km
Time: 3-5 hours
Maps: Ordnance Survey OL217 The
Long Mynd & Wenlock Edge 1:25,000
Summary: This route crams a day’s
riding into minimal distance, with
everything from brutal climbs to
technical descending and great views.
From Carding Mill Valley NT car
park, take the obvious track that
heads straight into the valley to tackle
a long, steep climb to the top of Long
Mynd. At the junction on the ridge, bear
right to descend over the fl ank of the
hill before joining up with the road.
Turn right and then right again at
Jinlye to pick up the Batch, which
bears left off the less steep track as you
approach the edge of the valley. At the
bottom, bear left and follow this track
to the end, turning right on the B5477.
Turn left at the crossroads on the
High Street and go straight over the A49, taking the second minor
right to ascend parallel with the B
road you’ve just left. Go straight
across when you meet it again,
picking up a bridleway that
emerges on open heathland,
where you need to turn right.
Follow this singletrack to a
crossroads and take the very
steep right-hand track up the side
of Hope Bowdler Hill. At the top,
bear right onto the singletrack
and descend down to the road.
Turn right on tarmac, then
take the second left, turn
right and right again, then pick up
the bridleway that runs down the
side of the garden to your left.
Follow your nose back to Church
Stretton, crossing a stream to go
through the gate just beyond and
emerge in a residential street. |
|
WMB102 The Purbecks, Dorset_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 04:31 |
|
20.8km |
|
| Start/Finish: Shell Bay,
Studland, OS ref SZ036867
Total distance 20.9km (12.9 miles)
Time 1.5-4 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey OL 15
Purbeck and South Dorset 1:25,000
Summary Plenty of gentle
climbing gets you up to the
ridge for some grand views
before dropping gently back to
the coast.
From the chain ferry
landing point, follow the
road for 2km and take the
bridleway/cycle route to the
right at the bend in the road.
Turn left through the gate after
1km of doubletrack, and then
take the second bridleway left
after 200m to climb gently
across the heath to the golf
course.
Continue straight until you
hit the road, turning left
and then right towards
Swanage. Take care not to miss the turnings here as you’ll
be travelling downhill at
speed. After 500m on this
road, take the bridleway left
that climbs very steeply up
to the obelisk visible on the top
of the hill.
Follow the ridgetop
bridleway to Ballard
Down, continuing straight
ahead and then following the
coastal path as it bears left to
Old Harry Rocks.
Continue to Studland,
which is a good place to
take a refreshment stop. Once
you’re fuelled up and ready to
roll, go straight over at the Post
Offi ce crossroads, then take the
easy-to-miss bridleway right to
head out onto the heath once
more, bearing right and then
left to cross the small river
before picking up the bridleway
heading north-west towards
the forest.
Follow this bridleway as it
descends gently to the coast,
then bear right through the
gate where you entered the
heath, before retracing your
steps back along the road to
the chain ferry. |
|
WMB 107 Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire_Beginner (Blue) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 11:54 |
|
21.2km |
|
| Start/Finish: Hebden Bridge,
SD993273
Total distance 21.2km (13.1
miles)
Time 90 minutes to 3 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey
Landranger 103 Blackburn &
Burnley, Explorer OL21 South
Pennines
Summary A couple of stiff
climbs matched with fun
decsents. Easily truncated if
you need a shorter route still
From the centre of
Hebden Bridge, pick up
the canal towpath and ride
towards Todmorden. At Callis
Bridge, leave the towpath via
the boat community’s car park
and cross the packhorse
bridge, heading up the hill on
the other side of the canal.
Climb steadily on the
winding doubletrack
through woodland, taking the
Pennine Bridleway as it
descends sharply to a small
river on the left. Pass through
the gate and go straight on
to contour along the hill to
Horsehold. Bear right
through the yard and follow
the tarmac uphill until the
crossroads; turn right and
follow London Road as it
ascends then drops beneath the
Pike. Turn right and drop back
to the canal via Mankinholes
and Height Woods.
Turn right back to Hebden
Bridge for a mile; at
Charlestown, turn left under
the railway bridge to pick up
the road which climbs towards
and then through Knott Wood.
At the top, bear left and
then right to pick up the
Pennine Bridleway, following it
to the top of Jack Bridge. Climb
through Colden before
descending the road to Slack.
Take a right down the
valley, making a hard right
past the old mill building and
over the packhorse bridge
before following the rough
doubletrack to the road below
Mytholm Steeps. Turn left at
the bottom and you’re on the
valley road heading back into
Hebden Bridge. |
|
WMB 103 The Long Mynd Shropshire_Classic Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 13th 2010, 05:41 |
|
22.1km |
|
| Start/Finish: Church Stretton OS453938
Total distance: 22.2km
Time: 3-7 hours
Maps: Ordnance Survey OL217: The Long Mynd & Wenlock Edge 1:25,000
Route summary: Some severe ascents are matched by equally brilliant descents. If you’re left wanting more, head up through Prior’s Holt for a final fling over Minton Hill.
Start at the crossroads in the centre
of Church Stretton. Head north
following signs for Carding Mill Valley and turn left towards the NT car park, then turn right following signs to the golf course.
The road hairpins right before
climbing steeply through the houses.
At the junction bear left to the golf course and go through the small slatted gate to the right of the clubhouse.
Follow the scrap of singletrack under
the trees to the next path junction,
then follow the bridleway as it turns left and begins the monstrously steep climb between the greens.
Once you top out and have taken your
fill of the view, follow the track
keeping a careful eye out for marker posts that cross the green to the unsigned bridleway descending from the right.
Drop steeply down the right-hand side
of the valley, turning left after the gate
to follow the river upstream. Pass the
bottom of the Batch but continue along the river to meet the bottom of the obvious track that’s coming down to join you.
Hairpin right and start to climb,
proceeding past the top of the Batch
to the road. Turn left as the climb slackens and then left again to follow the bridleway to the Port Way.
Shortly before Pole Bank trig point,
take the bridleway to the right and
descend all the way to Medlicott Cottage.
Rejoin the road to Manor Farm, where
you turn left and follow the road for
2km, passing the turning to Wentnor and then taking the next bridleway left.
Climb very steeply up the escarpment
to top out opposite Minton Batch,
marked with a fingerpost.
Follow this bridleway to its obvious
conclusion, a descent of 4km, then
turn left along the road to return to Church Stretton via Minton and Little Stretton. |
|
WMB 105 Malvern Worcestershire__Classic Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 11:08 |
|
27.7km |
|
| Start/Finish: North Malvern car park,
SO770469
Total distance: 27.8km (17.3 miles)
Time 3-5 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey OL 190 Malvern
Hills and Bredon Hill
Summary A hilly romp covering the length
and breadth of the Malverns, with a
mixture of well surfaced, hardpack trails and muddier sections.
From the North Malvern car park, take
the left of two bridleways that head
south. Navigate the hairpins with care to avoid
getting lost — our route is well ridden so the
most obviously used trail should see you right.
Once round fi ve hairpins and out of the
treeline, continue right to contour
around North Hill, descending and then
climbing to Sugarloaf Hill.
Bear to the right to pass around this
grassy top and continue straight across
at the next saddle, dropping slightly and
bearing right to loop up and around the back
of Worcestershire Beacon.
From the trig point, take the left of the
two bridleways that run down the ridge,
dropping into a cutting with singletrack. At the
exit onto the road, bear left and double back to zig-zag down to the road.
Turn right to Wyche Gap, then take the signed bridleway to fi rst contour around, then switchback and climb up to the top of Perseverance Hill. At the top, pass through two gates with a steep descent between them and take the path that trends left down to the road.
Follow a minor road, then the A449
south towards British Camp, bearing left onto bridleway at the car park after a mile.
Follow this loop below the hill, turning left towards Underhills Farm and then retracing your steps along the roads to climb back up Perseverance Hill on bridleway before
descending it from top to bottom.
At Wyche Gap, turn left and then right, following the access drive for the car parks, turning left onto the bridleway.
Descend and then climb from the next
car parks, continuing straight over as
you top out to descend towards Green Valley and then St Annes Well.
Climb out of this deep, narrow valley
back towards Sugarloaf and follow the
contouring path around to the bridleway that descends behind the disused quarries, emerging at the car park. |
|
WMB 111 Exmoor Classic |
ocoutts |
Aug 24th 2010, 11:55 |
|
27.9km |
|
| Start/Finish: Porlock village car park,
GR884468
Total distance: 28km (17.4 miles)
Total Time: 3-5hrs
Summary: It’s not huge in distance, but this ride’s got a bit of everything, with a couple of distinctly chewy climbs and some fantastic descents that range from old-school blasters to woodsy singletrack.
Leave the car park, turn left and join
the main road. Head through Porlock
then climb the first part of a steep hill
before carrying straight on to a minor road as the main road swings left. Follow this road downhill, keeping left to get to Lynch.
At Lynch, turn left up the lane (signed
Selworthy Beacon) that becomes a
bridleway and gets very steep.
Once you’re above the treeline, you’ll
emerge at a trail junction with a
bench. Turn left onto an easier climb,
traversing the hillside before switching
back right along the ridge. Follow the
obvious track, ignoring side turnings, until you reach the bridleway junction 200m before a trigonometric point. Turn right to join the road. It’s worth trundling the couple of hundred metres right to enjoy the view from the end of the road before retracing your path to the Memorial Hut.
From the Memorial Hut, take the
left-hand bridleway dropping into the
woods. Emerge in Selworthy then turn
right, heading down a steep road for 200m until you reach a lane on the right. Follow the lane across and down the hillside to Allerford. As you enter the village, turn left to meet the A39. Cross over onto a minor
road signed for ‘Luccombe’. Keep right until you hit the edge of the woods and a crossroads. Pick the bridleway opposite, heading up and left. If you want a shorter
loop, you can get here on the quiet roads from Porlock, skipping Selworthy Beacon.
At the bridleway junction, turn right
to head straight up on steep track
towards Webber’s Post. At the car park, either go straight through to the road then turn left and left again onto Dunster Path bridleway, or take the unmarked track to the left of the car park. Descend towards Brockwell. At the bottom, turn right and climb Dunkery Hill, which starts as forest
track and becomes loose, stony trail.
After a long climb, cross the road and
take the wider track to Dunkery
Beacon. Pass the Beacon on your right and then take the track heading downhill to the west. After 200m, turn right onto an indistinct trail across the moorland. Cross straight over at the trail junction then descend on singletrack to a wide track in
the valley bottom. Turn left, descend to the river crossing then climb to join the road on Stoke Pero Common. Turn right, travelling on the road for 600m until you reach a junction. Turn left towards Stoke Pero, descending past a church to a farm on the
outside of a sharp left-hand bend.
Pass through a farmyard to join the
bridleway. Climb for around 100m
and go through the gate into a fi eld. Bear left to the next gate and descend on the fantastic singletrack through Horner Wood to a footbridge. The bridge is ridable with care. Cross over the main track to climb a steep bridleway signed ‘Granny’s Ride’. At
the trail junction, carry straight on up over the roots. The climb is steep, but the gradient mellows as the trail swings left. Follow the bridleway posts to the
edge of the woodland. Turn right on
to Flora’s Ride, which joins a wide, stony descent to the road. Go steady: it pops out onto the road abruptly. Turn right and follow the road for 200m then turn left onto the bridleway (signed ‘Porlock’). The track now turns to the right and drops
steeply through woodland to forest track. Turn left, then right in the valley bottom and follow the fast, wide track to the gate.
Bear left immediately after the gate,
heading down the final stretch of
singletrack to the road. Carefully follow the road back into Porlock. At the main road, turn left to return to the car park. |
|
WMB 104 Swaledale Yorkshire_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 10:10 |
|
29.5km |
|
| Start/Finish: SE 04602 98862
Fremington
Total distance: 30km (18.6 miles)
Total ascent: 940m (3083 feet)
Total time: 2-4 hours
Route summary: The start is savage
but earns you some of the most
stunning views in the Dales. The
contouring mine roads are tougher
than they look and the farm track
descent is a classic drop into chaos.
Once you’re over the Swale there are
lots of extension or shortcut options.
Turn right out of Dales Bike Centre
and over the bridge. Turn right up
past the church as the road curves
round to the left. Continue up the hill
dog-legging across the bridge over the
stream then onto the bridleway.
Follow the farm track uphill then
turn onto singletrack climbing due
south to the second traversing mine
track. Contour east then north past the
tin shack and big shale mound play
descent. Turn east up the forbidding looking climb east, over the ridge
top and then follow contouring
track all the way out to Apedale.
Down the mine track to the
road. Down the road doubling
back onto the farm track. Left
along the road, turning right over
the bridge then left on the road
towards Gunnerside and Muker.
As you enter Gunnerside,
double back right onto the
bridleway climbing west to Low
Row Pasture until you join the
road following it down a steep
descent to Feetham (20.6km).
Head left and after 200m turn left
up the climb over Feetham
Pasture, across the bridge, over
another climb, and then through
the ford and up the short steep
slope to the next bridleway.
Follow doubletrack descent
down to the road then turn
right to Reeth and Fremington. |
|
WMB 107 Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire_Intermediate (Red) Route |
ocoutts |
Jul 14th 2010, 12:04 |
|
30.4km |
|
| Start/Finish: Hebden Bridge, SD993273
Total distance 30.4km (18.9 miles)
Time 2.5-5 hours
Maps OS Landranger 103 Blackburn & Burnley, Explorer OL21 South Pennines
Summary Relentlessly up and down,
with little rest and lots of fun.
From the centre of Hebden Bridge,
pick up the canal towpath and
follow it upstream to Eastwood. Pick up the ‘no through road’ and climb all the way to Great Rock.
Bear left on tarmac, then left
again towards Cross Stone road
before turning right onto the next
bridleway. Follow this straight over the next t-junction, through a gate and
down to pick up the Calderdale Way.
Follow this bridleway along the
hill, bearing right to descend just
after the farm then up a short climb as
towards Todmorden. At the golf course, turn right and then left on the road, before picking up bridleway again at Bean Pole Head.
At Rodwell End, bear right and
then continue straight ahead onto
direct bridleway rather than turning right into the yard. Turn left along
the road, taking the Pennine
Bridleway as it climbs to the left
to the top of Jack Bridge. Climb
through Colden then descend on
the road to Slack. Take a right
between houses and zig-zag down
the valley before bearing left to
climb steeply again, turning right
into Heptonstall at the top.
Take a sharp left off the cobbles just beyond the pubs and descend the bridleway to the river. Pick up Crimsworth Dean track and climb, bearing right at the cowshed to cross
Lumb Falls and ascend the other
side to Keighley Road. Drop
briefl y into Peckett Well then take
the bridleway right; follow this,
with one right turn, all the way to
Hardcastle Crags and then to
Hebden Bridge via the road. |
|
WMB 114 Brecon Beacons intermediate |
ocoutts |
Sep 8th 2010, 04:26 |
|
30.5km |
|
| Start/Finish Talybont-on-Usk, OS grid
reference SO115225
Total distance 30.6km (19 miles)
Total ascent 972m (3200 feet)
Time 2.5-4 hours
Maps Ordnance Survey Explorers OL12
and OL13: Brecon Beacons National Park Summary In some ways, this route is more challenging than the Classic. It’s shorter but has as many climbs and includes a broader variety of surfaces.
Start behind the White Hart Inn.
Cross the canal to join the Taff
Trail, climbing steadily. At 5.5km, you’ll reach a junction. Follow the wide track ahead, signed to Pontsticill. Continue to climb for about 1.8km.
At the top of the steep stepped
section, carry straight on by the
marker post (the left fork). Continue to
the quarries. There are boggy sections,
so consider a different route if it’s been
wet. At the quarry roads, the bridleway
goes straight on – it’s easier to turn
right onto the track and follow it as it
loops left. Turn right onto the Tarmac
then bear right very shortly onto a
grassy bridleway.
Follow the descent, taking care
not to miss the right turn above
the reservoir after 2.7km. If you end up
above the rock outcrops, you have.
Descend to the road, passing under the
railway bridge. Turn right, then left across the dam. At the junction,
double back right. Follow the road
into the forest for 500m. Take the
left turn into the woods (signed
National Cycle Network 8) and
follow the road.
Emerge onto Tarmac and
turn left to cross the dam.
Climb past an outdoor education
centre and go through a gate onto
a stony track. Cross the road to a
narrower trail. At the woods, pass
through the gate and carry
straight on over moorland to
reach the junction by the marker
post again. Retrace the trail down
the stepped section and descend.
At the junction take the left
fork and follow it to the
Talybont Reservoir track. Head
north past the dam before forking
right and climbing to regain the
Taff Trail back to the start point.
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