Preseli Hills & Llys-y-frân dam loop

You can typically find parking at the Llys-y-frân activity center, which offers facilities and serves as a good starting point for the loop. For specific details on parking, it's always a good idea to check local council websites like pembrokeshire.gov.uk or tourist information sites like visitpembrokeshire.com.

This loop is generally considered to be of moderate to hard difficulty, requiring good to very good fitness and advanced riding skills. The Preseli Hills section, especially the 'Golden Road', can be remote and challenging, sometimes requiring you to push your bike. The Llys-y-frân trails offer a range from easy (green) to severe (black), with blue and red trails demanding good to high fitness for their strenuous climbs.

You'll encounter a diverse mix of natural and constructed surfaces. The Preseli Hills feature varied terrain, including boggy sections on the 'Golden Road', high-level grassy singletrack, and mossy singletrack. Around Llys-y-frân, the trails are more structured, with asphalt, gravel, and purpose-built mountain biking tracks that include steep descents with loose shale and significant climbs.

The loop offers several notable sights. You'll ride along the Preseli Hilltops Bridleway, experience a Gravel Descent in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, pass by Rosebush Quarry, and see the impressive Llys y Fran Dam and Reservoir. Don't miss the ancient Waun Mawn Standing Stones, believed to be the original source of Stonehenge's bluestones.

While dogs are generally welcome in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, it's crucial to keep them under close control, especially in areas with livestock or ground-nesting birds. Always follow the Countryside Code and local signage regarding leash requirements.

The best time is typically during drier months to avoid the boggy sections in the Preseli Hills. Clear days offer spectacular panoramic views, potentially as far as the Wicklow Mountains in Ireland. Be prepared for varied weather, as conditions can change quickly in this exposed landscape.

No specific permits or entrance fees are generally required to access the trails within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park or for this loop. However, some facilities at Llys-y-frân, such as bike hire or specific activities, may have associated costs.

Yes, this route incorporates sections of the official National Cycle Network Route 47 (covering about 35% of the tour) and a small portion of the Church Path (around 2%).

Yes, the Llys-y-frân activity center offers excellent facilities including a visitor center, bike hire (including e-bikes), a pump track, a skills area, and a bike wash. You can also find the Llys y Frân Café there for refreshments.

This loop offers a unique blend of experiences: it seamlessly combines ancient, natural bridleways with modern, purpose-built mountain bike trails. You get to ride through the 'wild and ancient' Preseli Hills, passing historical sites, and then transition to the structured, amenity-rich environment of Llys-y-frân, all while enjoying dramatic panoramic views.

Given the length and varied terrain, you should bring appropriate mountain biking gear, plenty of water and snacks, navigation tools (like the komoot app), a repair kit, and layers of clothing suitable for changing weather conditions. Waterproofs are advisable, especially for the potentially boggy sections in the Preseli Hills.