Trail Talk: The Most Popular Routes at BikePark Wales, Explained

There is something special about the atmosphere in Gethin Woodland. It’s the knowledge that you’re standing at the gateway to the UK’s largest and most diverse selection of purpose-built mountain bike trails. BikePark Wales boasts over 50 official runs spread across the hillside, from smooth, scenic blues to raw, natural blacks and double-black pro lines.

This is a park designed for progression. Whether you have never rolled onto a berm in your life or you’ve spent years chasing podiums, there is a trail here that will make you smile, and another one that will push you to the edge of your ability.

Suitable for all abilities

The trail network is graded using the standard UK MTB colour system — green for beginners, blue for intermediates, red for advanced riders, and black or pro line for experts. What sets BikePark Wales apart is how these grades are layered and linked. It’s entirely possible to spend a day weaving your way from one style to another, mixing flow trails with technical descents, and never riding the same run twice.

With over 40 named lines, you will find jump-heavy freeride routes, tight and rooty enduro-style singletrack, and a selection of pedal-only climbs and traverses for those looking to avoid the uplift queue.

Kermit – The Friendly Welcome

Many riders begin with Kermit. This 4.6-kilometre Green descent threads through open slopes and forested turns, offering a forgiving gradient and plenty of room to get comfortable. Corners are wide and supportive, rollers are gentle, and visibility is excellent — the perfect way to settle into the park’s rhythm.

Terry’s Belly – The Blue That Goes On Forever

Terry’s Belly holds the crown as the UK’s longest blue descent at 4.2 kilometres. It starts in the trees with a smooth, fast-flowing section before breaking out into open, rolling turns that almost ride like a pump track in places. It’s a test of stamina as much as skill — keeping your momentum all the way to the bottom is a satisfying challenge.

Blue Belle & Melted Welly – Blues with Character

Blue Belle offers a little more variety than Kermit, with a mix of berms and faster, open corners that encourage you to let off the brakes. Melted Welly adds playful undulations and a few tighter sections, helping riders transition towards the demands of red-grade trails.

Popty Ping – A Blue with Bite

Popty Ping, a Blue Plus trail, is all about building confidence at speed. Corners are steeper, drops slightly more demanding, and line choice becomes important if you want to maintain flow. It’s a fantastic introduction to the park’s more technical offerings.

Vicious Valley & Insufficient Funds – Reds for the Committed

Vicious Valley weaves through the forest with off-camber corners, rocky patches and tighter chicanes, while Insufficient Funds is a Red + trail that mixes fast flow with tricky natural features that require a sharp eye and quick reactions.

A470 – The Jump Lover’s Playground

The A470 is one of the park’s headline acts. This jump line is pure flow — table-tops, step-downs, step-ups, and smooth berms linking everything together. The lower section was reworked in 2025 to improve progression, making the whole run more consistent while keeping its high-speed thrill intact.

Rim Dinger – Red Trail

Rim Dinger is one of BikePark Wales’ most iconic and challenging red-graded trails, renowned for its highly technical and natural character. It serves as a benchmark for advanced riders, testing both bike and skill before progressing to black-grade runs.

True to its name, the trail is a relentless assault of rock gardens, steep rock slabs, off-camber root sections, and tight, awkward turns. Unlike flow-focused trails, Rim Dinger demands precise line choice, constant focus, and a great deal of nerve to navigate successfully. Its raw and unforgiving nature makes it a true test of a rider’s ability to handle a bike in classic, rugged Welsh terrain. Successfully clearing Rim Dinger is considered a significant achievement for any rider at the park.

Enter the Dragon – Black-grade Bravery

Enter the Dragon is a black jump line for experts only. The features are big, non-rollable, and demand full commitment. Steep step-downs lead into massive lips, with the optional Pro-Line offering even more daunting gaps for those at the very top of their game. It’s fast, intimidating, and unforgettable.

50 Shades of Black 

50 Shades of Black delivers a trail for riders who prefer technical challenges over jumps. It features steep chutes, rock gardens, tight switchbacks, and unpredictable cambers. The trail is designed to test a rider’s precision, balance, and nerve and is noted as one of the reasons advanced riders keep returning to the park.

Between the Runs

One of the park’s great strengths is its infrastructure. The uplift service is quick and efficient, the climbing trail offers a peaceful alternative for pedal-powered ascents, and the on-site café serves hot breakfasts, filling lunches and proper coffee. There’s also a well-stocked bike shop and hire centre for anything from a spare brake pad to a full suspension rental. Showers and changing rooms mean you can finish your day clean and comfortable before heading back into town.

Finding Your Flow

A great way to approach BikePark Wales is to treat it like a menu: start with a few blues like Kermit, Terry’s Belly, and Blue Belle to get your legs warmed up, step into reds like Popty Ping and Vicious Valley once you’re ready for a challenge, and then — only if you’re truly confident — sample the blacks such as Enter the Dragon or Rim Dinger.

It’s this clear progression, alongside the sheer variety of trails, that makes BikePark Wales more than just a one-day thrill. It’s a place where you can come back year after year, gradually ticking off runs as your skills and confidence grow.

And the best part? With accommodation near BikePark Wales at Trailblazer Stays in Merthyr Tydfil, you can be rolling from breakfast table to trailhead quickly and easily — meaning more time in the saddle, and more memories on the hillside.