Brechfa and Cwm Rhaeadr — MTB trails in Carmarthenshire

Often overlooked in favour of larger trail centres further east, including Afan and Cwmcarn, two forests in rural Carmarthenshire host low-key trail centres boasting miles of hilly, remote singletrack.

What Brechfa and Cwm Rhaeadr may lack in facilities, they more than make up for in the riding, with a generous selection of purpose-built mountain biking trails from a family-friendly, flat green trail right the way through to the black-rated Raven trail. Pack your snacks though, as the trails tend to be very hilly and there are no cafes to rely on.

Though you might find a little mud in the winter, the built nature of these trails means they ride well year-round. This can provide some great relief from mucky natural trails, tracks and bridleways during the wettest months.

Brace yourself for a lot of climbing, mossy forest singletrack, open moorland views, sculpted berms and countless switchbacks, often with no one else in sight. With so much pedalling, these trails probably lean more towards beginner and intermediate level riders who like to explore rather than out-and-out thrill-seeking downhill riders.

There are two car parks at Brechfa, with the main one to the south, closer to Brechfa village, while a second car park hosts the start of the red Gorlech trail. There’s a single car park at Cwm Rhaeadr, with a single red-rated trail on offer, alongside the walking trails. Why not make a weekend of it and stay locally in Llandovery and tick off them both?

Waterproofs are a must in all but the driest weather, as the clouds can roll in fast here and catch you unawares. Waterproof socks are also an excellent idea if you have them, as many of the tracks can be wet or home to streams in the rainier months.