About
The Elan Valley and Rhayader put natural mountain biking trails firmly on the MBWales.com map. Surrounded by open hills, our extensive patch of Mid Wales is renowned for some of the best natural mountain biking terrain in Britain.
Our trail quality is complemented by a spectacular backdrop of Victorian dams and reservoirs, pristine countryside, woodlands, old railways, miners’ trails and expansive open hills. Novices, enthusiasts and experts are at home in the Elan Valley, choose to take your time, develop skills on short, satisfying loops, or challenge yourself to technical Sunken Road, Miners’ Trail, Golf Links descent or perhaps the 60k Tour of Elan.
Facilities
If starting your ride from Rhayader you’ll enjoy a choice of free parking options. A friendly Mid Wales town, Rhayader’s independent shops, pubs and cafes are a great place to start and finish your ride. A great mix of local accommodation can be found at www.rhayader.co.uk. Clive Powell Mountain bikes in West Street have been offering a welcome to mountain bikers since the 80’s. Expert bike mechanics, bike hire, wash and shop and all-round biking good guys, Clive’s team will get you on the right track.
If riding out from the Elan Valley Visitor Centre, you’ll find ample parking, a free exhibition, café, bike hire and a Ranger service to help plan your day out. More about the Elan Valley can be found at www.elanvalley.org.uk.
Getting Here
Rhayader is in the heart of Mid Wales, the first town on the River Wye on the edge of the Cambrian Mountains. Getting here is simple, situated on a natural crossroads; by road you’ll be with us sooner than you think:
Birmingham to Rhayader: 2hrs
Manchester to Rhayader: 3hrs
London to Rhayader: 4hrs
Rhayader is on the main North/ South A470 road: 15 miles North of Builth Wells and 10 miles South of Llangurig. From the East, the A44 will lead you to Rhayader and Elan Valley. We’re only 20 miles from Nant yr Arian and halfway between Snowdonia National Park and the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Getting to the Elan Valley Visitor Centre is simple. If you are driving, from Rhayader follow the B4518 west out of the town. Then left turn for the Visitor Centre is signposted after three miles. Sat Nav users please note the postcode LD6 5HP takes you almost to the Visitor Centre … but after you turn left from the B4518 ignore any advice to cross the iron bridge over the river; instead drive over the cattle grid and the Visitor Centre is ahead of you.
If travelling South to Rhayader on the A470 your Sat Nav will try to take you through Llanwrthwl Village; this is not suitable for coaches or large vehicles as it takes you through narrow country lanes. For a more direct route head for Rhayader and turn left at the Memorial Clock.
