About Twrch
A short singletrack warm up leads into a difficult climb, technical and very exposed during bad weather conditions.
Finally after battling the sun, wind and rain, the new freeride section (graded black) is open at Cwmcarn.
The new section is off the XC Twrch Trail and is a 1km optional loop. It’s designed in such a way that it can be repeatedly sessioned (but beware, save some strength, as there is still a lot of great trail left to do to get back to basecamp).
The section (yet un-named) has a number of technical features and challenges including berms, jumps, double hips, tabletops, timber drop-offs, a corkscrew and finally a combined earth bund, timber wall for all level of riders to progress higher and higher (good luck).
For those more traditional XC riders who prefer and enjoy the trail as built, the trail can be ridden as usual, with the only alteration being the start of “Airstream” (the first single descent section).
This new alteration is built in keeping with the main trail.
As with all new trails, assess the layout and technical/difficulty levels before riding freely.
How to get there:
Twrch can be started from Cwmcarn Forest Drive and Visitor Centre in Cwmcarn Forest which is part of Cwmcarn Forest. Crosskeys is the nearest town or village.
Sign posted Forest Drive from M4.
The visitor Centre (run by Caerphilly County Borough Council) is situated about half a mile from Cwmcarn and the drive starts a further half mile on the same road.
OS Grid Reference: ST 235 940
For details of public transport visit http://www.traveline-cymru.info/
| Cwmcarn Forest Drive and Visitor Centre Facilities. |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
| Grade of trail: |
![]() |
| Trail waymarking: |
| Length of trail: 15km Approx. 9 miles |
| Approximate time of trail: 1-2 hours |
| Open or closed: open |
| Click here to find out what else you can do in this forest. |
Contact: |
| Carl Denham 0300 068 0300 e-mail: carl.denham@forestry.gsi.gov.uk; Carl Denham Mountain Bike Ranger 0300 068 0300 e-mail: carl.denham@forestry.gsi.gov.uk |









