Gwydir Forest Park - Penmachno, near Betws-y-coed

What's here

Mountain bike trail
Parking (free)

The recent strong winds took a significant toll on our sites.

We’re continuing to assess the damage, but this will take some time.

We may close the car park and other facilities at short notice whilst we undertake recovery operations.

You should always follow any instructions given by signs or local staff including any trail diversions or closures, and beware of the danger of falling trees or branches.

Current trail diversions

There is a diversion around the Fedw Deg section of the Dolen Eryri mountain bike trail. Please follow all instructions and diversion signs on site.

Welcome

The Penmachno Trails are situated near the village of Penmachno within the spectacular landscape of Gwydir Forest Park.

These two very remote and natural feeling mountain bike trails have a mixture of singletrack descents and technical climbs.

Each trail is a circular loop and you can either follow just the first loop (Dolen Machno) or you can join the second loop (Dolen Eryri) at the halfway point of the first loop for a longer ride.

The Penmachno Trails are managed and maintained by Menter Bro Machno (a local volunteer community group).

Mountain bike trails

All our mountain bike trails are waymarked from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.

At the start of the trails there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.

Find out about mountain bike trail grades.
For a list of our mountain bike trails and information to plan your ride, go to mountain biking.
For more information about mountain biking in Wales, go to the Mountain Bike Wales website.

Dolen Machno

Grade: Red/Difficult
Distance: 18.6 kilometres
Climb: 560 metres
Time: 1½- 3 hours
Trail information: This is Loop 1 of the Penmachno Trails. Loop 2 branches off at the halfway point of Loop 1. If you're not certain how far to ride, start on Loop 1 and see how you feel when you get to the Loop 2 junction.

The Dolen Machno has the fastest descents and biggest climbs.

It has fast, technical single-track, tight switch-backs and a couple of leg-testing climbs.

Dolen Eryri

Grade: Red/Difficult
Distance: 11.4 kilometres
Climb: 206 metres
Time: 1-2 hours
Trail information: This is Loop 2 of the Penmachno Trails and can be joined at the halfway point of Loop 1. If you ride both loops the total distance is 30 kilometres.

The Dolen Eryri is all about the flow and the views.

It has a great mix of sweeping single-track, carving boardwalk, technical pitched stone trail and some great views.

Menter Bro Machno

The Penmachno Trails are looked after and maintained by a local volunteer community group, Menter Bro Machno.

The trails are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers - donations can be made at the trailhead at the start of the trail or through the Menter Bro Machno website.

For more information go to the Penmachno mountain bike trails website.

Gwydir Forest Park

Penmachno is in Gwydir Forest Park.

Gwydir Forest Park lies in the heart of the Eryri National Park and encircles the village of Betws-y-coed.

Lead and zinc mining once dominated the area and the legacy of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs are characteristic features of the forest landscape today.

Several of the most important mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.

Waymarked trails start from Betws-y-coed and several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park:

Betws-y-coed - peaceful forest walks away from the tourist bustle
Cae'n y Coed - easy-to-find picnic area and walk with panoramic mountain views
Cyffty Mine - short trail around abandoned lead mine
Dolwyddelan - walking trail along Roman road and cycle trail with mountain views
Hafna - walking trail through lead mine ruins and red-graded mountain bike trail
Llyn Crafnant - walking trails around the lake and accessible riverside trail
Llyn Geirionydd - picnic site with walking trail around two beautiful lakes
Llyn Sarnau - picnic spot with a walk to two scenic lakes
Sawbench - two red-graded mountain bike trails and historical walk
Ty’n Llwyn – walking trail to the famous Swallow Falls waterfall

Eryri National Park

Gwydir Forest Park is in Eryri National Park.

Eryri is the largest National Park in Wales and is home to picturesque towns and villages and the highest mountain in Wales.

It is looked after by the Eryri National Park Authority.

For more information about visiting Eryri go to the Eryri National Park Authority website.

Visiting safely

We want you to return home safely after your visit here.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.

Please note:

These mountain bike trails are remote and exposed with little or no phone signal.
Please be prepared and, if riding on your own, let somebody know.

For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.

Changes to visitor facilities

See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.

For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.

We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.

In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.

Organising an event on our land

You may need permission from us to organise an event or to carry out some activities on our land.

Check if you are allowed to use our land.

How to get here

Penmachno is 5½ miles south of Betws-y-coed.

Postcode

The postcode is LL24 0PY.

Please note that this postcode may not take you to the parking area if you use a sat nav or navigation app.

We suggest you follow the directions below or use the Google map on this page which has a pin on the location of the parking area.

Directions

Take the A5 from Betws-y-coed over the bridge towards Llangollen.

After 1¾ miles, turn right onto the B4406 signposted towards Penmachno village.

After going through the village, continue for another ½ mile and the parking area is on the right along a forest track.

What3Words

View this place on the What3Words website.

Ordnance Survey

The Ordnance Survey (OS) grid reference for the parking area is SH 786 498 (Explorer Map OL 18).

Public transport

The nearest mainline railway station is in Betws-y-coed.

For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.

Parking

Please park carefully at the forest entrance, leaving the forest track clear for access.

Parking is free of charge.

Overnight parking is not permitted.

The Penmachno Trails are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers - donations can be made at the trailhead at the start of the trail or through the Menter Bro Machno website.