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I went to Cwmcarn for the first time today and rode the Twrch Trail. The weather was dreich (grey and overcast) but ideal for riding. The trail was mainly dry and had plenty of traction. I really enjoyed the uphill sections, technical and tricky, and managed to ride most of them (had to "session" two or three sections) although one section, about 3.5 mile in, I found impossible to ride and had to push up. I even rode back down this section to the previous marker post to check I had gone the right way which it turned out I had. I think a quick diversion up the fire road would have missed this section out?
Another section where the Twrch split I went round twice by mistake (and nearly a third time!) before I realised my mistake and started the downhill which I found really suited my style of riding preference. All in all a great trail and in my own experience the best technical trail I have ridden outside of Scotland and I will definitely be back.
It took me 2 hours 5 minutes (however that included cleaning my bike because I forgot to stop my Garmin Edge) and I am sure there will be loads of people who say that it should be ridden in less than 90 minutes but don't forget I am 64 and only started riding in July after a 12 year break
Another benefit was parking was only £3 for the day and a great café
Yeah Twrch is a good trail for a red xc loop. Cafell - the other xc Red - is also decent but different. Tougher overall climbing (less tech but more cardio intensive) and good descents.
Sounds like the repeat trail that takes you back round got you. I’ve always avoided it - got a few good turns downhill to start but then loads of rollers and small tables uphill where you can’t get enough speed to do them in a fun way.
Once you’ve gone up the steep concrete ramp about 2/3rd the way round you can go up the road to the right and find some semi official steep tech off piste next time you’re there.
Used to go a lot years ago, went back recently and loved it, especially with the Risca bits to add on as @joebristol mentions.
My local, have done hundreds of laps of the place since it opened. Although I've not been there for over a year, but then I've hardly ridden in that time anyway.
That section 3.5 miles in (Giant's Finger) has always been the toughest part of the whole loop, even the regulars only clear it half the time. It was more consistent when the trees were still there but now it has a different line every time depending on the weather and how other riders have been tackling it, makes it a tough challenge.
And yes the final descent is ridiculously good, was even better before the bridge over the blue was put in (flowed a bit better IMO) but it never fails to put a big grin on your face as you pop out into the car park.
We did Twrch before kidda came along and really enjoyed it, isn’t the end tight twisting singletrack that gets you grinning like Cheshire Cat?
seem to remember there’s DH trails in the other side of the valley? There had been a big fire I believe just after we went too
Heading there a few times over the next 6-8 weeks actually, will be hitting pretty much all the trails. Mostly weekends, but some half-term stuff too. It's been a long time since i've been there.
I live pretty close to Cwmcarn and since the decimation of Afan, i ride here every weekend! Twrch has got to be my favourite trail in South Wales. Its tough but rewarding and yes that Giants Finger section can really catch you out.
Twrch & Cafall loop has been a really good xc workout for me in the past. Probably do them both in about 2hr20m. That Giants Finger section can be really naughty particularly if you've done Cafall first - you have to gas it to clear it & by that point I don't have a lot of gas left! The rest of it is a really nice balance of natural feeling singletrack with trail centre features. The builders did a top job of it - Cognation wasn't it?
Always had a soft spot for Cwmcarn as it was my 1st trail centre back in the day. Not been in a while so good to hear it's still good - and with the Risca trails the other side of the hill maybe it's time I revisited!
There was 5 of us on eebs the other day and we were playing cat and mouse with two blokes on hardtails the whole way up the 1st Twrch climb.
It was a bit embarrassing really. We must have annoyed them a bit. They were going a really impressive pace but obviously we would catch them up and they'd let us pass on the climby bits, then they'd catch us up on the next fireroad bit where we'd stopped to eat pasties and put more coats on. They'd carry on, then we'd set off and catch them again and repeat.
I could feel the disdain 🙂
I've done many a ride there over the years on regular bikes and those climbs are definitely on the type-2 fun side of things. Used to enjoy the challenge but definitely have more left to enjoy multiple downhills now!
But yeah, we went on to do all the Risca side and Cafall and Twrch bits a few times etc, etc.
Was very glad to be on an eeb at the very bottom of the Risca side by the canal. That's a bit of a climb. Hard going on an ebike when you do it several times!
Love the place though. Keen to get back there soon.
If anyone could help with a route for 'quickest way up' that'd be really appreciated. My lad will be doing an Eeb ride there soon to maximise laps, but ideally i'd tow him up on the DH bike for a race simulation in the afternoon, unless i can drive him some parts of the way in the van etc... This is more about race practice than it is about quality of fitness/riding etc...
Just follow the Forest Drive tarmac, it's the easiest way to the top presuming you're heading for the DH trails. There's an overview map on the visitor centre homepage that shows how everything relates to each other so easy to figure out.
The builders did a top job of it – Cognation wasn’t it?
The original and second builds were done by Back On Track, the guys that now build BPW. It was a slightly experimental mix of stuff after the second build where they added the final descent, made the Freeride section as an add-on to the original red bit up there and beefed a lot of it up from straight XC. The woodwork (nicknamed Ewok Village) and the 360 loop over and through a sewer pipe have gone but they nailed the build on the second attempt as they had a lot more funds to play with. It really set the tone for the next group of trails all over Wales, before it had definitely been XC-biased. The Cognition stuff was more focused on improving facilities so paid for the enlarged car park, new shop and toilet block and a few play areas around Forest Drive. Trail improvements were made but were more about repair rather than anything more. They did have a hand in the Cafall though, I think they helped get match funding via the EU for the original build.
If anyone could help with a route for ‘quickest way up’ that’d be really appreciated.
You're probably best going up the forest drive road. Is it the official dh tracks you're trying to session?
(30 seconds after the above)
Thanks all. Yes it's the official DH as that's where the National race is in April. So we want to spend a few weekeds hitting the track/tracks and seeing where they go.
He'll do a few Eeeb laps and then as i say, if viable we'll push/tow up the Session for a lap or 2 later on.
Always felt like Twrch was 90% up for 10% downs on the regular bike, excellent fun on the ebike though. Some of the sections on the climbs are good and techy.
A winter regular for me because the going is always good unlike my local Mendips, and the place is great fun.
Never seem to head there is the summer though!
It used to be a 'pop in if we have time' on the way home from a weekend riding Brechfa and/or Afan type place for us.
The closures & lack of maintenance means we haven't been to either for years.
But now we tend to do a day trip to Cwm carn - can't remember the last time we overnighted in SW.
I'm not going to lie, I find this thread fascinating - I used to live the other side of the hill to Cwmcarn and now I'm in Cardiff. Whenever I go there, it's to ride the off-piste stuff - Risca, Abercarn, etc - and not the official trails. I think part of that is because it's so poorly maintained in comparison with the non-official trails - trees down, breaking bumps, water on the track etc. Ride both and it'll clearly highlight the difference a bit of love and maintenance does to a trail.
All that said, I do think the actual route itself is brilliant - good bit of technical climbing, some nice flowy descents, and you can link Twrch and Cafall together for a decent XC loop.
trees down, breaking bumps, water on the track etc
Sure there are a few braking bumps in a couple of places and its worn in rougher now then when it was a brand new kitty-litter track, but I don't think its any worse maintained than any of the off piste.
I'd argue it's a better track now it's had a chance to age.