What's new at Afan?...
 

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[Closed] What's new at Afan? Recommendations (for a short loop)

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Hi,

Heading down soon. What's new? I have a limited time (sub 2 hrs), often ride The Wall (because it is short and it saves driving further up the valley, as can be accessed from the car park by the bridge at Rhyslyn). Have not done the steep section (Six Feet Under) yet, but just looking for pointers.

Rode the Penhydd section recently and Blue Scar, but was a bit underwhelmed. Love White's Level, but takes (me) a bit more time. Not done Blade yet, but don't think I will have the time.


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 11:48 am
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Do the initial whites climb until you pop out of the woods at the top (by the optional black trail), turn right on the fire road and follow for about half a mile then hook up with the last third or so of Blade back to the start.


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 11:56 am
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Thanks Warns74. Trying to find a map online that shows both the White's level and Blade; seem to be being a bit slow, had no luck yet. I'll have another look for one and have a look at the route.

Thanks.


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 4:10 pm
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I’d go for whites climb and first few sections of blade (is ghost train open now, I haven’t been up there for a while?), after helter skelter head towards peregrine ridge for the best bit of the final blade descent. Should be around 2 hours with maximum fun for the ascents.


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 7:41 pm
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I meant to add- there’s nothing much new with official trails up Afan, ISTR that more were promised as a reward for all the wind turbine work being carried out?


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 7:49 pm
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I did Blade about 2 months ago, and Ghost Train was still shut.


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 7:52 pm
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There's felling at the link between White's and Wall currently, not sure any diversion is properly signed from the White's side. I may've just missed the notices but there wasn't anything mentioned on the trail info pdf.

Edit - the trail info has been updated yesterday: https://cdn.naturalresources.wales/days-out/places-to-visit/south-east-wales/afan-forest-park/mountain-biking-in-afan-forest-park/?lang=en


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 9:02 pm
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Regarding a map, does this link work for you?
Map


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 10:13 pm
 spev
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do the wall from the bottom but turn off Graveyard down Six Feet under then down Resurrection (after exit from Six Feet under turn right along the fire road for about 100 yards, the sign is on your left) to the main path at the bottom then back to the car park. Much more fun that both Blade and ZigZags (Wall final descent).Although if you don't like steeper trails then maybe Six Feet is not the best option.


 
Posted : 28/01/2020 11:24 pm
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The downside of Blade / Whites for OP is it's another 20 min drive from Afan centre, if they've only got 2 hours, I wouldn't spend 40 mins of it in the car.


 
Posted : 29/01/2020 11:15 am
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Are 'resurrection' and 'six feet under' official trails, or just local names.
I can't find them on any maps.
Heading over there, this weekend, and need to work out how to bypass the closure of zig-zags


 
Posted : 29/01/2020 8:02 pm
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They’re official trails and easily found along the graveyard trail where they splinter off.


 
Posted : 29/01/2020 9:19 pm
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They’re official trails and easily found along the graveyard trail where they splinter off.

Anybody got a map with them on?


 
Posted : 30/01/2020 7:18 am
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Do The Wall, but go off down 6ft under half way along Graveyard, then go right and climb up the steep fire road (don't bother with Resurrection which will take you back down to cycle path) and head back up to skills park, have a play in there. Go up and do Corker into either Zig Zags or S4 (black descent) which will take you back to carpark. Nice little spin that.


 
Posted : 30/01/2020 6:27 pm
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I did Penhydd & Ywal last year - very enjoyable & a lot more exposed without trees.


 
Posted : 31/01/2020 11:04 am
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Thanks for the map link Bushy and advice all. I don't know why I could not find that map previously (internet incompetence on my part).

I ended up joining the Afan a Blast Wed night shop ride. We did Whites climb (always knackering for me) and then part of the Wall descent, linking into Graveyard and Six Feet Under. I found some of the steep stuff too steep for me on the hardtail (I was making a meal out of some of the tight corners), but really enjoyed it.

Awesome bunch of people and very hospitable.


 
Posted : 31/01/2020 11:27 am
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Gribble are you Rob? Jonny here. Glad you had a good trip out.


 
Posted : 31/01/2020 7:52 pm
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Jonny; not me buddy.


 
Posted : 04/02/2020 9:41 pm

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