Antur Stiniog

UK/Euro colour grading: green (Plug and Feathers), blue (Jympar/Jumper), multiple red (Wild Cart, Detonator, Drafft, Scrybadub), black (Black Powder, Y Du/The Black) and a double-black (Re-Powder), plus a pump track. Van/minibus uplift only, all trails descent-only.

GROUP SPLIT - beginners ride the green Plug and Feathers or blue Jympar (which offers a mid-way choice to drop onto a green or red); advanced riders take red (Wild Cart/Detonator), black (Black Powder, The Black, Y Du) and double-black Re-Powder. All groups share the same van uplift and descend only, regrouping at the base/pickup point.

Good for mixed-ability gravity groups since one uplift ticket serves green through pro trails from the same top; a green trail, pump track and Kids Club make it family-viable, though it is a dedicated DH venue not a general trail centre.

Rocky, rugged slate hillside beside a working/former slate quarry - loose stone, natural rock gardens and slabs mixed with built berms, jumps and step-downs; open moorland with little shelter.

High: rocky, rugged slate terrain with rock gardens, committing rock drops, berms, step-downs and 30-plus jumps; open, exposed hillside with little tree cover. Wet slate becomes very slippery.

Minimal navigation needed - it is a signed, colour-graded uplift park with trails funnelling to the pickup point; follow on-site trail signage and the official/Trailforks map.

A popular, internationally acclaimed UK downhill venue that gets busy on uplift days and weekends; expect queues at peak times rather than solitude.

Open all year (Trailforks lists Jan 1-Dec 31) with uplift typically running Thursday to Monday. High wind, snow or storms at ~470 m elevation can force occasional closures.

Rideable year-round; late spring through autumn is driest and most popular (Trailforks ride-logs peak in August, October and May). Summer offers occasional late-night uplift sessions.

Summer late-night uplift sessions (e.g. evening 16:30-19:30 slots) with the Burrito Blasus cafe/smokehouse open; on-site Kids Club and coaching blocks.

On the slate hillside above Blaenau Ffestiniog, Gwynedd, reached via the A470 through town; on-site car park at the uplift base (LL41 area).

Dedicated minibus/van uplift with bike trailers (up to three vehicles), regarded as one of the best in the UK, running roughly Thursday-Monday and giving about 15-20 runs per day; nearest rail is Blaenau Ffestiniog station.

Full-face helmet and long-travel/downhill bike strongly recommended (body armour advised); Saracen Myst DH bikes available to hire on site. Water/food at the cafe; mobile connectivity is variable on the exposed hillside (est).

On-site cafe (Burrito Blasus, from 08:30 on uplift days), bike shop, bike hire, eco bike wash, showers and toilets, pump track, uplift base and car park.

Coed y Brenin trail centre (~13 km), Gwydyr Forest (~9 km), Beddgelert Forest (~8 km) and Llyn Brenig; Zip World and other slate-country adventure operators are nearby, with BikePark Wales further south.

Steep, fast descent-only trails with rock gardens, committing rock drops and large jumps; slippery wet slate, exposure to weather, and high speeds - ride within your grade and inspect features. Uplift-only access means no self-pedalled escape uphill.

None required - it is a self-access, self-guided uplift park; optional coaching is offered through partner Pedal MTB Ltd.

The uplift/fire road provides vehicle access across the hillside for staff-assisted rescue, and the site sits directly above Blaenau Ffestiniog; in emergencies call 999, with the nearest major hospital Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor (est).