The Clwydian Challenge

North Wales Mountain Bike Route Guide


Region:

Clwydian Range, North Wales

Difficulty:
Difficult
(Requires advanced skills and fitness)

Distance:
50 miles

Map:
OS Explorer 265

Route Text Download:
The Clwydian Challenge

GPS Download:
50 mile - GPX and KML
40 mile - GPX and KML
32 mile - GPX and KML
20 mile - GPX and KML
(available via the full MapMyRide page for this route, on the right hand side of the page)

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50 mile route
40 mile route
32 mile route
20 mile route

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This is a 50 mile mountain bike route on the Clwydian Range in North Wales, starting in Mold. It’s a proper big day out in the hills with some great trails and stunning views. But you don’t have to do the full 50 miles as I have included linking trails to give 20, 32 and 40 mile options, so you can build up to the full 50.

1. Start from Mold Leisure Centre (GR239632). Leave the leisure centre car park by the main exit. Turn right and follow the road through the houses. Go straight on at a four-way junction to the following wide junction with a road on the right (GR242629). Turn right and climb the road out of Mold, going under the road bridge at the edge of the town. At the following junction, with a road on the right, continue straight on. Climb steeply through a couple of bends then at the top continue ahead to a crossroad junction, with the recycling centre signed left. Go straight on and descend through some bends. At the bottom the road bears right and climbs gently to a junction by a house (GR239606). Turn left then follow the road right, around the house, where it thins to a singletrack lane. The road widens as it goes past the Butcher’s Arms on the left before thinning down again. At the end of this second section of singletrack lane the road bears left then travels between some stone walls. It then bears right before coming to a four way junction at the end of the walls (GR237599).

2. Go straight ahead and descend the lane between the hedges. At the bottom follow the lane right then left before going up a long straight climb. Continue up this steep lane until it eventually bears left to a three way junction (GR225596). Turn left and descend the lane to the next junction, with a dirt track on the right, where the lane turns left (GR225593). Turn hard right then climb the track ahead, between the trees. Follow the track to where it ends at a four way junction with some lanes at the Nercwys Forest millennium stone. Go straight on and climb the lane to a dirt car park at the entrance to Nercwys Forest on the left (GR218592).

3. Turn left into the car park then go through the gate into the forest. Follow the wide forest track to a thin track on the left just as the main track begins to climb steeply. Turn left and climb the thin track through the trees. The track soon levels off for a winding track through the forest. Eventually the track bears right to a four way junction at the edge of the fully grown trees. Continue straight on and follow the track through the tall trees until it ends with a short steep climb to a junction with a wide forest track. Turn left and go up a gentle climb then after reaching the top descend past a track to the right to a gate at the edge of the forest (GR217577).

4. Go through the gate then turn right and climb the lane. After the top of the climb descend the lane, going left then right around a house to a junction at the bottom (GR210576). Turn left and go up a short climb then descend a short distance to a junction. Turn right then follow the lane as it bears left past a house on the right. After reaching a crest in the lane descend through a dip to the crossroad junction in the middle of Eryrys, at the Sun Inn (GR204579).

5. Go straight across the junction then past the houses on the left. After leaving Eryrys descend to a junction in a dip. Go straight on up a short climb. At the top continue straight on where the tarmac gives way to a dirt double track that descends bearing slightly right. Follow this track straight ahead for a fun, fast, loose descent. When the track ends at a lane follow it left all the way to where it ends at a junction (GR190590). Turn left then descend steeply though a tight right hand bend and over a bridge before reaching a crossroad junction in the bottom of the valley (GR185589).

6a. (20 mile route) Go straight across the junction and climb the lane past the house. The lane soon comes to a junction with the main road. Turn left and follow the main road that soon climbs through a series of shallow bends. Continue following the road to a junction at the top with a tarmac track on the left, by the old Clwyd Gate hotel on the right (GR163581). Turn left and descend a short distance to the next part of the triangular junction then turn right and climb back to the main road – goto Para. 10.

6. Turn left and follow the road to a junction at the top of a small rise. Go straight on and descend to the next junction at the start of some houses on the right (GR185581). Turn right and follow the lane along the back of the houses. Continue following the lane straight ahead for some time until it reaches a three-way junction at a stone church (GR186565). Go straight on, past the right hand side of the church, and follow the lane to the next junction. Continue straight ahead, past the houses on the left, to the next junction with two dead end lanes (GR184559).

7. Turn right and climb the lane all the way to the top, where it becomes a wide gravel track by ‘The Old Pigories’ on the left (GR168558). Go straight on and descend the double track through a tight right hand bend, after which it goes through a long left hand bend that leads into the trees. Once in the trees descend straight on to where the track becomes a lane. Continue ahead down the lane, which goes through a number of bends before finishing at a junction (GR145567).

8. Turn right and follow the lane through a left hand bend to the next junction. Turn right and follow the road along the bottom of the valley, past a farm on the right, to the next junction immediately before a house, with a lane on the right signed as a bridleway (GR142573). Turn right and follow the lane to a farm. Go straight on through the farm then climb towards the trees. At the following forked junction follow the lane left. Go up the steep climb to the next junction, by a house on the right (GR155576).

9. Go straight on and climb the dirt track into the woods. Go through the gate then follow the main track ahead through the trees, ignoring the tracks on either side. At a junction at the top edge of the woods, where the right hand track leads to a house, take the left hand track that climbs to a forked junction shortly after. Go through a gate on the right to exit the woods. Climb the track along the trees on the left. Follow the track through a left hand hairpin at a house then climb back into the trees. After the trees bear right across the top of a field, then continue along the track to a gate. After the gate continue ahead along the track ahead, past the houses, to a junction with the A494 at the old Clwyd Gate Hotel (GR163581).

10. Turn right and descend the main road a short way to a junction just after bollards with a track climbing away on the left (GR166582). Turn left and climb a short way to the houses. Follow the track right and go over a cattle grid then climb the double track across the side of the hill. Go through a couple of bends then at the junction at the end of the gorse hedge on the left bear left up a short, steep grassy climb to a gate (GR170589). After the gate go straight on to another gate then follow the singletrack straight on through the trees. On the other side of the trees keep going straight on through the gates and fields. After a while the grassy trail descends to another gate. Go through the gate to a junction in the bottom of a dip. Turn left and climb the steep, grassy track along the edge of the field to a gate at a farm (GR172597).

11. Once through the gate turn right then go through two more gates set close together. Continue climbing, on a gentler incline, along the double track as it follows the drystone wall. At the top the track bears right and flattens off, still following the wall. The track then bears left before coming to a junction with the grassy, rutted double track. Continue straight on and descend to a gate. Go through the gate then after a short distance go through the next gate to a wide hard pack track. Bear right and descend the wide track. Keep descending the track ahead, which soon bears left. Go through the gate about halfway down then continue descending ahead on the increasingly rocky trail that ends at a gated junction with a lane at the bottom (GR179611). After the gate turn left on the lane then follow it through a right hand bend to where it ends at a junction. Turn left and follow the lane to the main entrance of the lower Moel Famau car park on the right (GR172611).

12. Turn right to the car park entrance barrier, there are public toilets on the left. Go past the barrier to the junction directly after. Turn right and follow the gravel road to a junction with a path on the left immediately after. Turn left up the path then climb, bearing right past a junction with a footpath on the left, to a junction with a wide forest track on a bend (GR171611). Climb straight on up the track, going straight on at the first junction, to a junction at the top (GR178615). Go straight on and descend to the next junction, then continue descending straight on. The track soon goes through a long left hand bend. At the bottom the track bears right to a junction (GR176621). Turn right and climb the forest track. Bear left over the crest then descend to the bottom where the track turns sharp right down to a gate (GR174625).

13. After the gate follow the grassy and usually muddy trail through a small ford to another gate.  Go through the gate then climb the grassy and muddy double track to a junction.  Go straight on up the rocky double track to a gate. After the gate follow the track ahead, which soon descends to a rocky ford. After the stream climb the muddy double track to a gate (GR178630). After the gate follow the double track a short distance to where it ends at a junction with a lane. Go straight on and descend to the next junction with a wide concrete track on the left, just after the road steepens (GR184634).

14a. (20 mile route) Go straight on and descend the steep lane to where it ends at a junction (GR186637) – goto Para. 29.

14. Turn left and climb the track, past the farm on the left, to a forked junction. Take the track on the right, a muddy double track between the trees. The track eventually comes to a junction at a farm on the right. Go straight on through a gate and follow the double track into the trees. The track then bears left and climbs to a gate (GR176637). At the junction after the gate bear right and follow the double track to a gate immediately after a house on the left. Go straight on through the gate and down the track between the bushes then under the trees. This section can be very muddy when wet but it’s only short. At the end of the trees, where the mud finishes, follow the singletrack straight on. Go through a small stream then descend left to a gate. Go straight on through the gate and follow the grassy singletrack that soon bears left. A short distance later the track turns right on some planks over a boggy section. After the planks the track comes to a gate. Go through the gate then down the steep descent ahead. Go through the gate and ford halfway down then continue straight on along the track all the way to where it ends at a junction at the bottom (GR168646).

15. Turn right and follow the double track to where it ends at a junction with a lane (GR172647). Turn left and follow the lane through a dip. Climb right then left to a junction by the church in Cilcain (GR176652)On the right, in the village, are the community shop/café and the White Horse Inn where you can buy food and drink. Turn left then climb the lane through a right hand bend to a junction with a lane on the left, at the end of the houses on the right. Turn left and climb the lane to the houses where the lane gets steeper and climbs through a couple of bends. The lane soon flattens off and goes past a parking area on the right before continuing to a crossroad junction (GR166653).

16a. (32 mile route) Go across the junction then climb the lane straight on. Go past a farm on the right where the lane becomes a dirt track. Bear right then left on the double track through the trees. Immediately after leaving the trees bear right then left again. This leads to a straight section of track that comes to a junction with a byway signposted through a gate with a white gatepost, on the right, just before the track ahead starts descending (GR161661) – goto Para. 26 but turn right through the gate.

16. Turn left for a gentle climb up the lane. In a short while descend to a junction in a dip with some tracks on the right then bear left to stay on the tarmac. Climb to a farm on the left, where the lane changes to a rocky double track, and continue straight on (GR160651). Stay on this track and climb for just over 1 mile, going through a gate on the way up. Follow the track all the way to a gate at the top of the climb on the ridge of the Clwyidian Range (GR145641).

17. After the gate go straight on down the rocky double track.  This long descent drops through a number of corners becoming increasingly rocky on the way down until eventually it becomes covered in course, deep gravel. At the end of the gravel the track becomes fast hardpack. At the end of the hardpack follow the lane a short way to a gate (GR168633). Go through the gate and descend the lane. Keep your speed down as the next junction isn't far and it's quite easy to overshoot. Descend to a junction with a track on the left, signed as a bridleway, on a left hand bend by to a house on the right (GR138633). Follow the dirt track that climbs through the bushes to a gate. Once through the gate turn immediately right and follow the fence down to a small gate in the bottom corner of the field. Go through the gate and descend the grassy singletrack between the fences. As the trail descends it becomes a winding sunken trail through the trees. At the end go through the gate to a junction with a lane (GR131629).

18. Turn right and follow the lane to a crossroad junction with the stocks. Go straight on and follow the lane into Llangynhafal village. At the junction by The Golden Lion Inn follow the lane ahead bearing right. Continue along the lane past a few tracks and farms on the right to the next crossroad junction (GR126648). Turn right and climb the lane, going past a house on the left on the way up, all the way to where it ends at a gate straight ahead (GR138652). Go through the gate and climb the steep, rocky double track. The track soon reduces in steepness before coming to another gate ahead. After the gate the track continues straight on up a gentle climb before reaching the final steep section. Climb steeply up through the bends on the increasingly rocky track that ends at a gate at the top. Go through the gate to a junction with a lane by the cattle grid and Moel Arthur car park (GR147658).

19a. (40 mile route) Turn right then - goto Para. 25.

19. Turn left and descend the lane for about 1/3rd of a mile. The lane goes through two right then left hand bends before coming to a junction on the following right hand bend, with a signed bridleway on the right, just before the lane starts descending steeply (GR141656). Turn right and follow the double track immediately to a gate. After the gate follow the muddy double track along the contour of the hill. At the next junction follow the left hand track that descends, past a pond on the right, to a gate. At the junction directly after the gate take the left hand track and descend by the fence on the left. The muddy track descends under the trees and though a number of gates. At the bottom the track bears right then passes a house on the left before ending at a junction with a lane (GR131664). Turn left and follow the lane across a small bridge to a junction with a forest track on the right. Follow the lane left to a junction with a muddy double track on the right (GR130664). Turn right and climb the double track through the trees. The track bears right before coming to a gate. Go through the gate to a junction immediately after (GR126663).

20. Go straight on and climb the double track for about 2 miles across the flank of the hill below Penycloddiau Fort. There are a number of gates on this climb, but they are well spaced out and don’t interrupt the ride. About 3/4 of the way up the track comes to a junction with a track descending to the left (GR121680). Go straight on and climb the rocky double track that soon bears left to a gate. Go through the gate and continue climbing the track towards the mast on the ridge. At the top of the climb the track ends at a gated junction beneath the mast (GR121689).

21. Directly after the gate turn right onto the lane. The lane soon turns into grassy double track, which leads to a junction with two gates (GR124689). Go through the gate straight ahead and descend the grassy and rutted track. Go through the next gate and descend the loose rocky track to a junction with a lane, by a farm on the left. Go straight on and follow the lane for a fast finish to the descent. At the bottom the lane bears left and goes through a dip. Climb out of the dip then after the crest follow the lane a short way to a junction with a lane on the right (GR137701).

22. Turn right and climb the lane as it bears right to a junction just after a cattle grid. Turn right and follow the lane to the next junction (GR136695). Take the double track that climbs away to the left. Climb through a gate then a right hand bend to a junction with a track on the left. Go straight on and climb to a junction at the top in a small open grassy area. Turn left and descend the grassy, rutted double track. After passing a house on the left go straight on to where the track turns right between the hedges, then descend to where the track ends at a junction with a lane (GR144686).

23. Turn left and follow the lane to the next junction, then turn right. At the next junction turn right again (GR147682). At the following junction, with a lane on the left, go straight on and climb for some time to the Llangwyfan forest car park at the top (GR139669). Stay on the lane and go past the car park then follow the lane left. Bear right then descend the lane to a junction with a double track on the left on a shallow left hand bend (GR136665). Be careful, as it is all too easy to go too fast and overshoot this junction.

24. Turn left then go through the gate and climb the double track to the next junction. Turn left and continue climbing the rutted double track. Go through the following gate to a small field at the top (GR135661). Bear slightly left and pick up the grassy singletrack across the flank of the opposite side of the hill. After a while the track descends gently to the previously visited junction with a gate ahead. Go straight on through the gate then climb the trail that soon bears right to a junction. Go straight on and follow the double track along the contour of the hill to the gate at the other end. After the gate turn left and climb the lane back to the Moel Arthur car park (GR147658).

25. Go straight on over the cattle grid, then past the car park, to the following junction with a track on the right (GR148659). Turn right and follow the rocky double track, by the trees on the left, to a gate. After the gate climb the rocky double track for a while before descending to a gate. After the gate descend the fast double track to some muddy puddles in the dip (unless it’s been really dry) then climb a short way to a junction with a signed byway on the left at the top (GR161661).

26. Turn left through the gate for a long, fast and straight descent with lots of rocks and some mud, it can also be a bit wet. Follow the trail straight on all the way to the bottom where it gets really rocky, before finishing with some muddy double track ruts. Follow the ruts through a couple of bends to the next junction (GR171671). Turn right and follow the double track to a gate ahead then turn left along the singletrack. Follow the muddy and rooty singletrack through some bends between the hedges before descending more steeply through the trees. At the end of the trees continue descending ahead on the gravel singletrack to where it ends at a junction with a road (GR177672).

27. Turn right and follow the road to the next junction with a road on the left. Go straight on and climb past a farm. Climb the road ahead, past the junctions on either side, until it eventually reaches a crossroad junction in the centre of Cilcain by the White Horse pub on the right (GR177652). Go straight on and descend the lane out of the village to a junction with a singletrack signed as a bridleway on the left, on a shallow right hand bend in the trees, just before a cottage on the left (GR177649). Turn left and descend the singletrack to a stream crossing. Turn right and use the bridge or ford to cross the stream then climb the loose rocky trail to where it ends at a junction with a lane (GR179647).

28. Turn left and follow the lane, which soon climbs through a right hand bend. At the top continue straight ahead along the lane for a while. Eventually the lane kicks up for a short climb past a house at the top. After the lane flattens off to go past a junction with a gravel double track drive on the right. The lane then gently descends to the next junction, with a lane on the right, a short distance before a house on the left (GR186637).

29. Go straight on and descend the lane to a junction with a lane on the left at a farm on the left (GR188632). Turn left and descend the concrete lane through the tree lined cutting to a ford at the bottom. Use the ford or the bridge to cross the river, which is sometimes dry, then climb the lane on the opposite side. Continue climbing the steep lane ahead for some time to a crossroad lane junction at the right hand end of a row of houses (GR194639). Go straight on and climb the road past the houses on the left to the top. After reaching the top descend the lane ahead, past a golf course on the left, all the way to a crossroad junction (GR206640). Go straight across and climb gently up the lane ahead. After a while the lane turns right before coming to a triangular junction (GR214637).

30. Turn left and descend the steep singletrack lane through a series of bends. Be careful as the high hedges give limited visibility. Eventually the lane widens out to a road as it enters Mold. Continue following the road ahead until it comes to a junction with two roads on the right, where the road turns left (GR228636). Take the second road on the right and descend between the houses. Keep following the road ahead which soon bears left then right before coming to an end at a junction with the main road (GR231634). Turn left and descend the main road to a traffic light controlled crossroad junction in the middle of Mold, with the high street on the left (GR238639). Turn right then follow the road ahead until it reaches the entrance of Mold Leisure Centre, on the right, to complete the ride.