Attractions
Coed Llandegla
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A real treat lies in store for all who venture over the welsh border to Llandegla forest. Whether you’re a seasoned mountain bike pro or just starting out, the purpose-built trails guarantee that you will leave with a smile on your inevitably muddy face!
The beauty of a visit to Llandegla is that the guys who run it (One Planet Adventure) have made sure that there is something to suit all.
This place is not just for mountain bikers; bird enthusiasts and walkers can take short or lengthier way-marked hikes through the forest and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
But those who have brought along two wheels and plan on moving at a slightly quicker pace also have plenty to choose from. Families have a fantastic time cycling the 4.5k family route (green) around the stunning lake. Or beginners can find their wheels by following the 12k blue route up through the forest. This trail has wide paths with steady descents and small berms that encourage the rider to improve their skills without being overfaced by a technical and difficult course.
However, if it’s a challenge that you are looking for the 18k intermediate (red) route will have your heart pounding and your head spinning as you fly along rocky, gnarly single-track. There’s a challenging log bridge, some really tough climbs and jump sections that leave you wondering how on earth you didn’t just stack it into the nearest tree! But if you manage to pull it off your smile will last for days. Added to this recently are over 3k of black run trails. Not for the faint hearted these have been designed to push the most experienced rider to their limits. A good level of physical fitness and a well serviced bike are essential for anyone considering these runs as much of the single-track is off-camber, steep and unsurfaced, with unavoidable drop offs, obstacles, steps and gaps. So it is important that you are completely honest with yourself about your abilities and the capabilities of you and your bike. Don’t let that put you off though! This ride is exhilarating, exhausting and extremely good fun, as long as you are prepared to put the work in.
Once you make it back to the centre pay a visit to the café. Its fantastic home cooking has won awards, and it won’t be hard to guess why. From the best breakfast in Wales to the most delicious range of home made cakes, your only dilemma will be what to eat first. So sit outside, enjoy the scenery, take a breather and refuel. There’s a bike shop for any spares or repairs you might need, a workshop for servicing and if you don’t have a bike then Konas can be hired for as little as £15 for a half day. One Planet Adventure fully understand their environmental responsibilities and work hard to ensure that the centre has as little impact on its surroundings as possible, they even use recycled water for the toilets.
After all that you might want to head off home, but if you’ve travelled to get here can you resist the temptation to have one last blast?
Sophie McKeand
Freelance writer for cheshireguide.com
www.sophiemckeand.com
Address
Coed Llandegla Forest
Ruthin Road
Llandegla
Denbighshire
LL11 3AA
Tel: 01978 751656