The best MTB trails around Claerwen Reservoir

There are 18 mountain bike trails around Claerwen Reservoir, offering a diverse range of experiences for riders. These include 4 easy, 8 moderate, and 6 difficult routes.

Yes, Claerwen Reservoir offers 4 easy mountain bike trails. The good track running along the northern shore of the reservoir provides a traffic-free, six-mile route, perfect for a more relaxed ride with picturesque views.

The terrain around Claerwen Reservoir is varied, featuring gravel paths, remote Welsh landscapes, open hills, and woodlands. Some routes include challenging technical sections with loose stones, slabs, and descents, while others offer smoother bridleways and reservoir shorelines.

Absolutely. For experienced riders, there are 6 difficult routes. One demanding option is the Puke Hill – Claerddu River Crossing loop from Elan Valley Visitor Center, which covers over 72 km with significant elevation gain, offering remote Welsh landscapes and challenging sections.

You'll encounter stunning natural features including the impressive Claerwen Dam, which was commissioned by Queen Elizabeth II. The area is characterized by vast open moorland, rolling hills, and picturesque reservoirs. You can also spot diverse wildlife within the Elan Valley Estate, including rare birds like Merlins and Red Kites.

Yes, many routes are designed as loops. For example, the Caban-Coch Dam and Reservoir – Claerwen Dam loop from Llannerch y Cawr is a moderate 14.5 km circular trail that takes you through reservoir shorelines and open hills.

Yes, parking is available. The Claerwen Dam car park is a common starting point for many routes, including the traffic-free path along the northern shore of the reservoir.

The area is beautiful year-round, but spring and summer offer the most pleasant conditions for mountain biking, with longer daylight hours and generally drier trails. Autumn provides stunning scenery with changing foliage. Be aware that some sections can be boggy, especially after rain, requiring good off-road experience.

The trails around Claerwen Reservoir are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars. Reviewers often praise the incredible gravel roads, stunning views that improve as you progress, and the sense of wildness and tranquility offered by the vast open moorland and rolling hills.

Yes, Claerwen Reservoir is an integral part of the larger Elan Valley Estate. The Caban-Coch Dam and Reservoir – Elan Valley Visitor Centre loop from Claewen Dam is a difficult 34.8 km route that takes you through the Elan Valley, connecting to its visitor centre and other impressive dams and reservoirs.

The Elan Valley Estate, including Claerwen, is a haven for wildlife. You can often spot rare birds like Merlins and Red Kites, as well as Buzzards, Golden Plovers, and Ravens. The unique flora, including the carnivorous sundew plant, also adds to the natural beauty.

Yes, there are 8 moderate mountain bike trails. An example is the Sunken Road Near the Viaduct loop from Garreg Ddu Dam, a 13.2 km route that offers a balanced challenge for intermediate riders.