Review Date
August 31, 2012

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: sam ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Afan is known by its great single track trails.....Y wal, Whites and Skyline. I have ridden all 3 of then and by far are they the best i have ridden. Y wal is one of the shorter routes and has a less leg burner climb than whites level and skyline which share the climb at the start. I would suggest to start which Y wal first then move onto whites if you feel that you are not fit enough.

Skyline- I ride atleast 3 times a week doing Y wal, cwmcarn and whites level. This trail will surely test someone stamina. There are huge fire road climbs which do go on for a bit. Even some of the descents have climbs in them. If you hate climbing then this isnt for you. Honest truth this killed me abit haha! due to some poorly signage me and the dad got lost sometimes and a direction which stated going back the way we came added another half hour because we had to do on the edge twice lol yes this is an epic ride but id stick to whites level and Y wal.

Recommended Route:
W2 is great, have only done W2 from doing Y wal- once you have done Piccadilly you then turn right and head over to whites level then start on energy and so on.

Whites- Black run.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Cwmcarn twrch trail - Caerphilly

Brechfa gorlech trail- This is a great place to go but if you dont mind climbing long fire roads then go for this one.

Review Date
March 23, 2011

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Kepler Bins ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
The previous reviewer has taken the wrong route or his ability follow simple signage is the equivelent of polish plumber with minimal english looking to insert a ball cock where its not strictly necessary. Whites has minimal fire track, first between the Black run and windy ridge (no really, that's its name) and then a few yards of links between sections, nothing more. The rest is either switchback rocky rooty climbs and snot and phlegm inducing descents down loose rocks and drops. Matt Smith, try again.

Recommended Route:
Whites level with Black run.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Skyline, The raven brechfa.

Review Date
April 24, 2010

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: mattsmith0913 ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Fire track, lots and lots of fire track. This route is only 15% single track all the rest is on forest roads, even some of the downhill sections are on fire track ! Do yourself a favour and do the R2 route which is basically Whites level and The wall combined, this route is nearly as long as Skyline but much more fun.

Recommended Route:
R2

Review Date
February 1, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: ObscuraSky ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I rode the Skyline Trail, which now starts up the valley at Glyncorrwg, in January and wasn't disapointed.

With the exception of the last section, there are no jumps here, no drop-offs, and no scary downhills; just 29 miles of awesome downhill singletrack sections, breathtaking views, and a lot of hard climbing - some on fire roads, but mostly steady singletrack climbs.

You have to be pretty fit to make this, and your bike will take a pounding too on the rocky sections, but it's all worth it just for the last section which must be one of the best in Wales or England.

Recommended Route:
Park at Glyncorrwg Cycle Centre and just follow the signs! The route is well waymarked, but the signage for the two shortcuts is a little confussing because, without a map, it isn't clear which route to take.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
There's another trail at Glyncorrwg, which I haven't ridden, and a couple more at Afan Forest visitor centre (just down the road).

Review Date
October 19, 2005

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Visitors rate this review
3.50 of 5, 2.00 votes

Reviewed by: Ttratl ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
I rode the White Level Trail out of Glyncorrwg Ponds Mountain Bike Centre (follow the Trails link here http://www.mbwales.com/afan_forest/index.htm)on 16th Oct 2005.

It's virtually all singletrack. A couple of short fireroad sections, but nothing to worry about. It is technically difficult, but so very worth it! One of the best trails I've ever ridden - just a shame it's so short. Trail guides suggest 2-3 hours for 15km. I'm not fit at the moment and I did the circuit in 90 mins. If you're travelling to the trail - bring enough provisions to do it twice. I was just about to start a second circuit and the chain snapped. :-(
Alternatively, ride one of the other trails - there is a shuttle service to take you and your bike down the hill to Afan Argoed if you want (not sure if there's a charge).
The Glyncorrwg Ponds Mountain Bike Centre has a fully equiped shop, toilets, a couple of showers and a jet wash (£1).
The trail was well marked. I loved it and will be going back to do it again, and try other routes in the area.