Raven Trail at Brechfa Forest

Length - 19km Level - Black Time taken – 1hr 40 Sat Nav post code - SY25 6PE

It was a spur of the moment decision. We were braced for the 2 hour plus stint to Cannock Chase. Our departure point just south of Bristol. A dull echo at the back of my mind forced its way through, ‘how far’s Brechfa’. A quick consultation with the Oracle (google maps) only 80 miles vs the 120 of Cannock, no brainer, Carmarthen it is.

As a little tip, stay on the motorway as long as you can when heading for Brechfa, if Sat nav says different, ignore it. 70 miles of winding country lanes (with tractors) or 80 miles of motorway (without tractors), you will arrive less frustrated and much more in tune for the ride ahead.

This is no trail centre, you roll into a car park, no shop, no bike hire and certainly no café so pack accordingly, you drive round the corner and the clue to the trail is the large wings carving at the top of the hill. We’d arrived.

You start the ride straight from the car park and climb up the long fire road looking for the way markers, you do need to keep your eyes peeled, your looking for the black arrows all the way round and it’s really not that clear on the Raven trail.

It’s a real mix of terrain, some of the best flowing singletrack I have had the pleasure of riding and very unlike most trail centre creations . The climbs are as steep as I have experienced yet do lack the rooty and rocky nature that make things a real challenge. Not since Portugal have I ridden steep and loose switch backs, they are quite wide so quite manageable, nothing the seasoned off roader will find too much of a challenge.

Jumps and drops galore as you make your way around the route. Do make sure you’re comfortable in the air before attempting. Most obstacles are quite smooth but not always into straight and open landings, you may find yourself over shooting a corner.

It’s an enchanting mix of steep ups, beautiful rocky singletrack and huge carved berms and jumps on the downhills. A real treat for an all encompassing ride, it offers you everything and never disappoints.

Final Verdict

A great destination and I’m reliably informed that the red route, built by Rowan Sorrell, is equally as good. Definitely worth the visit and either stay the night and ride a trail a day or for those fitter/more ambitious type get there early and do both. You cant go wrong with Brechfa but pack accordingly and remember it’s a challenging course, it didn’t earn the Black status for no reason

4/5

Tools for the job

All three riders had chosen 140mm – 150mm trail bikes, all sub 30lb, two Aluminium and one Carbon. My own was the 2013 Specialized Stumpjumper Fsr Evo expert 26. I wouldn’t want any more travel and 120mm would be as low as I wanted to go, if you’re to make the most of the jumps and drops. A dropper post also makes for a most enjoyable ride.