Beddgelert Forest, near Beddgelert
Huge forest in the heart of Eryri (Snowdonia)...
Gwydir Forest Park - Penmachno, near Betws-y-coed
What's here
The ‘Gwel y Grib’ section on the Dolen Machno mountain bike trail is diverted due to forestry operations. Please follow all instructions and diversion signs on site.
Welcome
The Penmachno Trails are situated near the village of Penmachno within the spectacular landscape of Gwydir Forest Park.
These two very remote and natural feeling mountain bike trails have a mixture of singletrack descents and technical climbs.
Each trail is a circular loop and you can either follow just the first loop (Dolen Machno) or you can join the second loop (Dolen Eryri) at the halfway point of the first loop for a longer ride.
The Penmachno Trails are managed and maintained by Menter Bro Machno (a local volunteer community group).
Mountain bike trails
All our mountain bike trails are waymarked from start to finish and have been graded for difficulty.
At the start of the trails there is an information panel – please read this before setting off.
- Find out about mountain bike trail grades.
- For a list of our mountain bike trails and information to plan your ride, go to mountain biking.
- For more information about mountain biking in Wales, go to the Mountain Bike Wales website.
Dolen Machno
- Grade: Red/Difficult
- Distance: 18.6 kilometres
- Climb: 560 metres
- Time: 1½- 3 hours
- Trail information: This is Loop 1 of the Penmachno Trails. Loop 2 branches off at the halfway point of Loop 1. If you're not certain how far to ride, start on Loop 1 and see how you feel when you get to the Loop 2 junction.
The Dolen Machno has the fastest descents and biggest climbs.
It has fast, technical single-track, tight switch-backs and a couple of leg-testing climbs.
Dolen Eryri
- Grade: Red/Difficult
- Distance: 11.4 kilometres
- Climb: 206 metres
- Time: 1-2 hours
- Trail information: This is Loop 2 of the Penmachno Trails and can be joined at the halfway point of Loop 1. If you ride both loops the total distance is 30 kilometres.
The Dolen Eryri is all about the flow and the views.
It has a great mix of sweeping single-track, carving boardwalk, technical pitched stone trail and some great views.
Visiting Penmachno safely
These mountain bike trails are remote and exposed with little or no phone signal.
Please be prepared and, if riding on your own, let somebody know.
Menter Bro Machno
The Penmachno Trails are looked after and maintained by a local volunteer community group, Menter Bro Machno.
The trails are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers - donations can be made at the trailhead at the start of the trail or through the Menter Bro Machno website.
For more information go to the Penmachno mountain bike trails website.
Gwydir Forest Park
Penmachno is in Gwydir Forest Park.
Gwydir Forest Park lies in the heart of the Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and encircles the village of Betws-y-coed.
Lead and zinc mining once dominated the area and the legacy of old engine-houses, waste tips and reservoirs are characteristic features of the forest landscape today.
Several of the most important mines have been partially restored and made safe for visitors.
Waymarked trails start from Betws-y-coed and several other Natural Resources Wales car parks in Gwydir Forest Park:
- Betws-y-coed - peaceful forest walks away from the tourist bustle
- Cae'n y Coed - easy-to-find picnic area and walk with panoramic mountain views
- Cyffty Mine - short trail around abandoned lead mine
- Dolwyddelan - walking trail along Roman road and cycle trail with mountain views
- Hafna - walking trail through lead mine ruins and red-graded mountain bike trail
- Llyn Crafnant - walking trails around the lake and accessible riverside trail
- Llyn Geirionydd - picnic site with walking trail around two beautiful lakes
- Llyn Sarnau - picnic spot with a walk to two scenic lakes
- Sawbench - two red-graded mountain bike trails and historical walk
- Ty’n Llwyn – walking trail to the famous Swallow Falls waterfall
National Forest for Wales
Gwydir Forest Park forms part of the National Forest for Wales.
The National Forest will:
- create areas of new woodland
- enhance existing woodlands
- restore Wales’ irreplaceable ancient woodlands
It will form a connected ecological network running throughout Wales, bringing social, economic and environmental benefits.
Parts of the network will eventually form a trail running the length and breadth of Wales, so anyone can access it wherever they live.
For more information go to the National Forest for Wales website.
Visiting safely
We want you to return home safely after your visit here.
You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of any children and animals with you during your visit.
For advice and tips to help you plan your visit here go to Visiting our places safely.
Changes to visitor facilities
See the top of this webpage for details of any planned closures or other changes to visitor facilities here.
For your safety, always follow instructions from staff and signs including those for trail diversions or closures.
We may divert or close trails whilst we undertake maintenance work or other operations and we may need to close other visitor facilities temporarily.
In extreme weather, we may close facilities at short notice due to the risk of injury to visitors and staff.
How to get here
Location
Penmachno is 5½ miles south of Betws-y-coed.
It is in the county of Conwy.
Ordnance Survey map
Penmachno is on Ordnance Survey (OS) map OL18.
The OS grid reference is SH 786 498.
Directions
Take the A5 from Betws-y-coed over the bridge towards Llangollen.
After 1¾ miles, turn right onto the B4406 signposted towards Penmachno village.
After going through the village, continue for another ½ mile and the car park is on the right along a forest track.
Public transport
The nearest mainline railway station is in Betws-y-coed.
For details of public transport go to the Traveline Cymru website.
Parking
Please park carefully at the forest entrance, leaving the forest track clear for access.
Car parking is free of charge.
The Penmachno Trails are funded by donations from bikers and maintained by volunteers - donations can be made at the trailhead at the start of the trail or through the Menter Bro Machno website.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Contact details
For more information go to the Penmachno mountain bike trails website.
There are no staff at this location.
Contact our customer team for general enquiries during office hours, Monday to Friday.
Related document downloads
Penmachno Trails guide
PDF [8.6 MB]
Other places in North West Wales
Explore more
Last updated