Mountain Biking and Cycling

• Nant-yr-Arian Mountain Biking Centre is only 25 minutes drive from Blaen-y-ddôl
• Great Mid Wales mountain biking and cycling routes straight from the door
• Hosing down facilities (for the bike too) and a big well-lit garage for maintenance jobs and safe overnight storage
• Washing facilities and efficient drying-room

Though we specialise in walking holidays, our facilities and accommodation make Blaen-y-ddôl a perfect base for other outdoor activities - particularly the drying room, the plentiful hot water, and the substantial packed lunches! You can hose down your steed in the garden, and we have a big, well-lit garage with plenty of room for storage and maintenance.

Mountain biking Mid Wales

Mountain Biking All-terrain bikes are an increasingly popular way of enjoying the countryside. Bridleways, hill tracks, old drove roads, and forest roads all collaborate to make a wonderful pollution-free off-road network; and it is possible to do several days of different routes starting from Blaen-y-ddôl. We can provide you with maps and/or suggested routes, or if you prefer to plan your own itinerary, we'll be happy to help with any local knowledge if you need it. For the more ambitious, there is a brand-new Mountain Biking Centre, with specially designed routes, based at the Forest Enterprise Bwlch Nant-yr-Arian visitor centre, 25 minutes drive from us.

Road Cycling

Cycle touring may not be the mass recreation that it once was - increasing traffic volume and speed have seen to that - but our area is one of the few in our crowded island where cycling can still be enjoyable. Apart from the A44, and the A487 coast road, there are no seriously busy roads, and most of the minor road network is free of any but light local traffic. From Blaen-y-ddôl, there are many possibilities for one-day cycle tours, to such places as Rhayader and the Elan valley, Machynlleth and the Centre for Alternative Technology, Tregaron, Strata Florida Abbey, Llanddewi Brefi, or Aberaeron and the National Trust Llanerchaeron estate. Once again, we'll be happy to help with maps, routes and local knowledge, if required.

A new attraction for our area is a 15½ mile waymarked route - the Rheidol Cycle Trail - on scenic minor roads between Aberystwyth and Devil's Bridge. You can cycle the route downhill to Aberystwyth, and put your bikes on the narrow-gauge train for the hard bit!

Bike Hire and Repair If you don't want to bring your own bike, mountain bikes can be hired locally for £15 per day; delivery and collection can be arranged. A mobile cycle repair service is also available.