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:
Cwmcarn Forest Drive and Visitor Centre
Cwmcarn Forest
Cwmcarn Forest
Caerphilly
Wales
Crosskeys is the nearest town or village.