Mountain Biking North Wales

Accommodation

• 6 nights' 3-star hotel accommodation

The hotel is situated in the picturesque Alpine-style village centre, positioning you perfectly for a potter around the pretty streets or taking a wander along the banks of the idyllic River Conwy.

Twin rooms

Solo explorers will be matched up with a likeminded traveller of the same gender to share with as the rooms in Betws-Y-Coed will be on a twin basis.

Single room supplement

If you would prefer your own room this can usually be accommodated, though an extra charge would apply.

Bike set-up

Let an experienced mechanic set up your bike for the week ahead.

Bike hire

Hard tail mountain bikes are available to hire – if you don’t want to bring your own bike, there are Nukeproof Scouts or similar available to hire.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Betws-y-Coed
Betws-y-Coed
Clwyd
LL24
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airports are Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport. It is approximately a 1 hour 40 minute taxi transfer from Liverpool John Lennon Airport or 2 hour 10 minute transfer from Manchester Airport to the tour start point in Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by rail to Betws-Y-Coed. It is approximately a 2 hour taxi transfer to either airport from the tour end point in Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by rail from Bangor.

• By rail

  The tour start point is in Betws-y-Coed which has its own station. From Wrexham Station, it is a 1 hour taxi transfer to the tour start point in Bala or alternatively travel by bus from Wrexham via Arriva X94. From the tour end point in Betws-y-Coed, there’s a train station walking distance from your hotel. Bangor Station is a 45 minute taxi transfer from Betws-y-Coed or alternatively travel by bus from Betws-y-Coed.

• By road

  The tour start point in Betws-y-Coed is located on the A470, and less than 1.5 hours from M56 and M54 motorways. The tour end point in Trearddur Bay is located less than 30 minutes from the A5, and less than 1.5 hours from the M56 and less than 3 hours from the M54 motorways.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Check in and welcome

  Arrive in Betws-y-Coed, the gateway to Snowdonia National Park, ready to check in to your hotel from 16:00. Transfers can be arranged ahead of travelling.

  You’ll be staying in a quality hotel with comfortable bedrooms, each with ensuite bathroom and tea/coffee making facilities. It’s a traditional Victorian property, situated in the centre of the pretty village of Betws-y-Coed. In the village you’ll find a range of bars and eateries to enjoy. This evening you’ll enjoy a welcome meal in the hotel restaurant. Get to know your guide and fellow mountain bikers over a meal, a pint and a route map.

• Day 2 | Coed Llandegla Forest

  You'll be collected from your hotel around 9am and head to Coed Llandegla Forest for your first day on two wheels. If you’ve brought your own bike, you’ll have access to bike tools here so you can get yourself set up and ready for adventure.

  If you’ve chosen to hire a bike, the guys in the bike shop will get you fitted out with your new ride.

  Once everyone’s set up and had their fill of flat whites from the cafe, you’ll head into the forest with your guide to run through your bike skills. As a qualified mtb instructor they’ll share tips to help refine your riding style so you can get the most out of the Welsh trails for maximum fun and safety. This session includes a review of core skills before testing them out in the purpose-built skills area and pump track.

  After a break for lunch back at the bike centre cafe, head out on the forest trails with your guide. You’ll tackle red and black graded trails (plus a few secret trails no-one else knows).

  It’ll be a full day of mtb action, with an emphasis on getting you set to enjoy the wilder riding that’s yet to come.

  During the week you will have the option to show your appreciation for your beautiful surroundings and take part in a voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails.

  Enjoy a free evening to relax back in Betws-y-Coed.

• Day 3 | Big country

  After a hearty breakfast, you’ll be hitting up the trails right from your hotel door. Today’s ride is a classic mountain route, taking you straight into big country. Stunning scenery, challenging trails, big mountain views and ancient trails. It’s a real taste of the wild.

  You’ll be deep in the heart of epic Snowdonia for the whole day, pausing for a picnic lunch and a chance to catch your breath. With challenging trails from the start, this is a Welsh classic and delivers a big day out!

• Day 4 | The spiritual home of mtb

  Today you're going to the spiritual home of mtb in the UK, Coed Y Brenin (Welsh for King’s Forest). Since 1990, mountain bikers have been making the pilgrimage to Coed Y Brenin. No mountain biking experience in Wales would be complete without hitting up these famous rocky trails.

  Your guide will lead you along the very best of the man-made trails, including the classic, flowing Pink Heifer and the notorious Beginning of the End. And with the benefit of their local knowledge, you’ll get to ride some of the wild trails that criss-cross this ancient forest. Few people get to ride these, so you’ll have bragging rights on a unique experience in this mountain bike mecca.

  Take advantage of the visitor centre cafe and treat yourself to a hearty lunch in between rides today.

• Day 5 | Gwydir Forest

  Tuck into a hearty breakfast before gearing up for another epic mountain bike ride, right from the heart of Betws-y-Coed.

  Today will include a mix of the best man-made mountain bike trails and natural riding in the area. Heading into Gwydir Forest, the big climbs will be rewarded with awesome flowy single-track descents. Get ready for rocky rooty trails, dense forest and stunning views across Snowdonia National Park.

  Stop en route for today’s lunch, so pack your sandwiches and find the perfect spot for a picnic.

• Day 6 | Wild trails, technical descents

  For your final day of riding you’ll hit up more wild trails straight from your hotel door. Big mountain views and technical descents, there’s a massive choice of trails around Betws-y-Coed. Your guide will pick the trails best suited for your group and the weather on the day. .

  It’s the perfect end to a spectacular mountain biking holiday in the heart of North Wales.

• Day 7 | Depart

  Enjoy the final breakfast in your mountain home before packing away your kit and wheels to make your way home. After an epic week together, it’ll be bear hugs all round with your new biking mates.

Included

• Access to bike tools to get your bike set up and ready for adventure
• Half-day skills session to brush up on your core skills
• Experience two of the UK’s best-rated trail centres
• Explore the hidden wild trails of Snowdonia
• 5 days of guided riding with a local, professional mountain bike instructor
• 6 nights 3-star hotel accommodation
• 6 breakfasts and 1 evening meal
• Voluntary trail clean in association with Trash Free Trails
• All transport during your trip
• 1 native tree planted in the woodland

Caring for the world as you do

This adventure supports local, independent businesses. Local guides are always used – people who will give you a more authentic experience and share the hidden secrets only local adventurers can bring. And because this is their home, they have a truly active interest in caring for their environment.

The carbon footprint of all trips is measured and reduced to be as low as possible. Any carbon that is yet to be mitigated is off-set through a local tree planting project. One tree exceeds what is needed to offset the emissions of your low carbon adventure holiday. 

Here is a summary of the Sustainability Policy:

Economic responsibility

• Keeping it local

  Working exclusively with local, independently-owned businesses to ensure your money goes straight into the communities that you're visiting.

• Fair pay for quality service

  Treating partners fairly for the high standards of service they deliver to you, whilst still ensuring value for money.

• Supporting local producers

  Local, independent shops, accommodation, bars and eateries are used and encouraged.

Environmental responsibility

• Low carbon travel

  Ensuring the carbon footprint of this adventure is offset by planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch.

  Responsibility is taken for ensuring the carbon footprint of your travel is offset. By working with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the unavoidable carbon emissions created by travel are offset, but also new, biodiverse woodland areas within the UK are created that will benefit both the planet and the community. Planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch, is helping to increase the available natural habitat for the UK’s native wildlife. Species such as bullfinches, beavers, the brimstone butterfly and many more are all benefitting from this.

• Avoiding single-use plastics

  Reusable aluminium bottles are provided on arrival at your accommodation and packed lunches use more sustainable wrapping such as paper bags or wax paper wrap.

• Locally sourced food

  Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

• Blue Flag Award

  Partnering with one of the first boat tour operators in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator status.

Social responsibility

• Small group tours

  The primary concern with tourism in the UK’s wild spaces is to ensure it only has a positive impact on the local communities and culture so for this reason small group trips never exceed 15 guests.

• Live like a local

  Learning the history and culture of a region plays a big role in your travelling experience – it’s what brings a place to life.

• Read the landscape

  The historical significance of the area is brought to life by the local guides who help you understand the features of the landscape.

• Learn the language

  Keeping local languages alive is sacred, so you’re encouraged to learn simple words and phrases during your time on the adventure.

• Understanding farming culture

  Respecting the countryside code and understanding farming practices are important for visitors to the area.

Adventure promise

Making travel better for everyone

The Adventure Promise is simple and honest. It’s the commitment that this challenge will always do right by you, local communities and the world we live in:

• Payment Instalments
• Flexible Booking
• Low Carbon
• Low Impact
• Support Local
• All Abilities
• Covid Secure

Costs