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Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Neath

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Neath

Moderate

5.0

(9)

108

riders

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Neath

02:57

34.9km

700m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: February 5, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 0 m for 226 m

After 34.8 km for 226 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

9.44 km

Motorway Section, Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path

Highlight • Trail

'Motorway' is the name given to this section of the Rookie green family trail, which actually runs along the Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path linking the trail centre and sections of singletrack and the kid's skills area.

It's well paved and flat, a real breeze compared to most trails in this valley!

Tip by

10.5 km

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

Afan Forest is very well known for its mountain biking and well, there is a lot of it! There are trails for all abilities, but the main focus here is the red graded trails, which are great and really well maintained, very gravely but can be ridden in all weather.

There are a lot of elevation changes so some good fitness here will be required. As well as the trails there are a number of fire roads, bridleways and a bike path so great for some gravel riding too.

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre is one of two parking and start areas for the trails. From here you can ride The Rookie, Blue Scar, Penhydd and Y Wal and W2 mountain bike trails.

There is also a cafe, bike shop and bike hire, toilets and showers. Parking is paid.

Tip by

12.9 km

Gravel Road Climb on Coed Morgannwg Way

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

It might seem like a lot of uphill, but this climb is well worth it when you see what comes next on 'widow maker'! Enjoy the scenery and spin up in a low gear, you'll need the energy for the singletrack!

This forestry road forms part of the Coed Morgannwg Way.

Tip by

15.3 km

Penhydd Trail Marker

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

16.8 km

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail

Highlight • Trail

Part of the red-rated Penhydd trail from Afan Forest Centre, Big Dipper is a great reward for the big fireroad climb.

This section of the singletrack takes its name from the many berms that it holds in store for you... You'll be whooping with joy as you ride the Big Dipper rollercoaster!

Tip by

18.6 km

Sidewinder and Dead Sheep Gully, Penhydd Trail

Highlight (Segment) • MTB Park

These two red singletrack descents are part of the larger Penhydd trail from Afan Forest Centre.

First up, Sidewinder takes you through the woodland on a rocky, narrow trail with a few loose corners. Then you're straight into Dead Sheep Gulley, a more open trail that cuts across the moorland landscape with a bit more pedalling than the last section.

Tip by

25.0 km

Afan Kids' MTB Skills Area

Highlight • Trail

On the other side of the road to the Afan Forest Park trail centre and not far from the car park, the kid's skills area is a great spot for building up confidence. You won't find any scary features as this is a green-rated family trail, but you'll be able to session the rollers with your little ones within close reach!

Tip by

27.6 km

Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

Highlight • Viewpoint

Pontrhydyfen is a small former coal mining community at the confluence of the River Afan and the Afon Pelenna. It is distinguished by two large 19th-century bridges that span the valley: a railway viaduct (the red bridge) and a former aqueduct, known as Y Bont Fawr ("The Big Bridge").

Tip by

34.9 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.0 km

8.08 km

7.95 km

6.25 km

1.44 km

218 m

Surfaces

14.1 km

12.9 km

7.37 km

348 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Wednesday 6 May

14°C

6°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail – Pontrhydyfen Viaduct loop from Neath

Motorway Section, Afan Argoed Forest Cycle Path

Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre

Gravel Road Climb on Coed Morgannwg Way

Penhydd Trail Marker

Big Dipper – Penhydd Trail

Sidewinder and Dead Sheep Gully, Penhydd Trail

Afan Kids' MTB Skills Area

Pontrhydyfen Viaduct

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