Tarquin's cycling pages

08 November 2009 - Hafren Forest to Rhaeadr Blaenhafren

WhereHafren Forest to Rhaeadr Blaenhafren
(Mid Wales)
Date08 November 2009
Duration0 hours 45 minutes
Distance3.5 miles (~6 km)
WeatherOvercast
Trail conditionsWet dirt track
RiderAgeBike(s)
Mark 'Tarquin' Wilton-Jones 29 GT LTS 2000 (TWJ)
Nicola Brankley 31 Gary Fisher Marlin Disc

Trip report

Description by Mark 'Tarquin' Wilton-Jones

This was an incomplete bike route, used only as a means to access a waterfall. The forest has many more mature cycling routes, and better routes than this one can certainly be devised.

See pictureSee pictureThe ride starts at a tiny car park at a triangle of roads, just a little North of the main car park in the Hafren Forest. Early on, the track splits, where we took the left branch, remaining relatively level.

See pictureSee pictureThis passes an overgrown track on the left, before reaching a larger junction. Take the left fork, and begin a short descent. There are some occasional views here of the Pumlumon mountains, but the views are not as good as they could be.

See pictureSee pictureA gentle climb then reaches the Rhaeadr Blaenhafren waterfall. It's one of the few landmarks in the forest, and actually earns a sign and picnic table. The best way on from here is to follow the tracks past the Afon Hore, then work out a route to the Severn Break-its-neck waterfall, cross the footbridge, and return up the road. We took a shorter route instead.

See pictureSee pictureJust past the waterfall are two tracks on the left. The first is slightly more technical than the second. We took the second. Some distance downhill, a track on the left joins the other alternative. From here, we headed downstream along the edge of the river.

See pictureSee pictureAfter passing a flume, the track reaches an unpleasently deep ford. If it is too deep, return to the flume, cross the bridge there, and then use an overgrown path through the forest back to the track. The track leads back up to the track from the start of the ride, where turning right leads back to the car park.

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