Spoke-tacular new mountain bike trail set to open in Mid Wales
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is celebrating the opening of a new trail at Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, near Aberystwyth, with a day of activities on Saturday 19 October.
The Melindwr Trail is NRW’s first blue-grade mountain bike trail in Mid Wales. It is a five-kilometre, intermediate-level trail suitable for people with previous mountain biking experience.
The trail has two loops that allow riders to vary the length, and it offers fun, flowing descents and berms (steeply banked corners).
Sarah Parry, Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre Manager, Natural Resources Wales, said:
“We’re proud to look after such a special site where people can get active, get healthy and enjoy the outdoors.
“This new blue trail is a great stepping stone before tackling some of the larger and more challenging routes we have here.
“It is a great addition to the facilities we provide in this spectacular setting. We hope it will attract new riders to the area and support the local economy.”
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis Thomas said:
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support the development of this new trail at Bwlch Nant yr Arian – this is an excellent way for people to get a taste for mountain biking and to get active while making the most of Wales’ landscapes.”
Sarah continued:
“Bwlch Nant yr Arian is great for mountain biking, but it is also a fantastic place for people to go walking, running, orienteering and horse-riding.”
“Our open day will celebrate the variety of activities people enjoy here, with local sports clubs on site to talk to anyone that is keen to join in.
“There will fun for all ages too with performances by Small World Theatre’s giant puppet, Edwardian explorer Lady Augusta.”
People attending the open day will be able to see other improvements at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, such as new visitor centre decking, a horse corral, and an additional bird hide.
The £128,000 funding for the Melindwr Trail and site improvements has been made available through the Tourism Amenity Investment Support scheme (TAIS), aimed at public, third sector and not for profit organisations for investment targeting small scale infrastructure (visitor amenity) projects in the tourism sector in Wales.
This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities - Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.
For information on mountain biking in Wales, visit mbwales.com