For those of you who live for that post-ride grin, we’ve got news that’ll get your tyres twitching. We’ve planned a new, challenging off-road route in the Elan Valley, Mid-Wales, and it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted.
This is no tame trail centre loop. We’re talking technical sections, chain-snapping climbs, off-camber corners and enough rooty lines to keep even the most seasoned riders on their toes. If you’re looking to crank it out on an epic ride that mixes stunning scenery with proper MTB grit, this one’s for you.
Riding Through a Landscape Steeped in History
The Elan Estate, owned by Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and managed by the Elan Valley Trust, isn’t just a pretty backdrop. It’s 72 square miles of rugged beauty, shaped by both nature and human hands. The dams, reservoirs and the 73-mile aqueduct were an engineering masterpiece built over a century ago to supply clean water to Birmingham. Today, the area is a haven for wildlife, with countless Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and an International Dark Sky Park Award under its belt. You may even spot it in the odd Hollywood movie, although not enough of them to disturb it’s ‘undiscovered’ feel.
Respecting the Land, Riding with Care
The Elan Valley isn’t just a playground; it’s a living, breathing ecosystem. The Estate is home to an abundance of wildlife, from scarce upland birds like golden plovers and dunlins to ancient woodlands rich in mosses, lichens and heather.
That’s why the Estate employs a dedicated team of Countryside Rangers to manage the land, balance conservation with public access and make sure trails stay sustainable. As riders, it’s on us to keep the trails in good nick which is why we’ll make sure we ride responsibly, stick to designated routes and leave no trace.
For more tips on riding with respect, try our blog on the New Forest Code; although written for the Forest, it’s advice applies readily in any natural environment.
A Place to Ride, A Place to Reflect
As you grind your way up the bleak uplands of Claerwen, past landscapes once home to poets like Percy Bysshe Shelley, you’ll be riding through valleys steeped in history. The drowned valleys of Cwm Elan and Nantgwyllt now lie beneath shimmering reservoirs but their stories live on.
It’s this mix of wild beauty and human history that makes Elan Valley such a special place to ride. You’re not just here for the adrenaline rush (although, trust us, there’ll be plenty of that). You’re here to experience a landscape that’s been shaped by time, nature and a fair bit of human determination.
Of course, you may have to take our word for it that the scenery and wildlife are stunning as you’ll probably be concentrating so hard on the ground just in front of your tyres you may not even notice.
The Elan Valley has seen its fair share of hard graft, from ancient mining to the epic dam-building era, and now it’s your turn to put in the work… on two wheels.
A Route for the Hardcore Riders
This new trail isn’t your casual Sunday spin. Designed with experienced mountain bike riders in mind, the route takes you deep into the heart of the Estate, through loamy conditions, rock gardens and the kind of gnarly descents that’ll have you chasing that perfect line, one berm at a time.
Expect a proper workout. The climbs are no joke: steep, relentless and guaranteed to test your lungs. But as every rider knows, conquering the climbs means you earn the descents. And these descents are worth every pedal stroke.
The route also includes some space-saving switchbacks, root-infested singletrack and panoramic views that’ll stop you in your tracks (if the climbs haven’t already).
Book Now
Ride date confirmed 4th October 2025 – click here for more details and bookings!
If you’re ready to hit the trails and leave the tarmac behind, now’s the time to get your setup dialled in and tackle this beast of a route. Whether you’re on a hardtail or full-sus, make sure your bike’s trail-ready: you’re going to need it. And don’t forget — rain, mud or shine, if it’s rideable, we’re out there.
If this sounds a little too ‘full on’ for your mountain-biking experience, try one of new Wiltshire rides to get some practice in.