Brenig cycle trail — Llyn Brenig

Just as the Alwen cycle trail circles the Alwen Reservoir, so does the Brenig route circle the reservoir known as Llyn Brenig. The route is largely flat, though there is a hill in the middle that rewards you with some pretty spectacular views.

Start by exiting the visitor centre and heading south towards the dam on a singletrack, following the signs for Brenig cycle trail. At the junction, turn left to ride across the dam on the gravel track, turning left again to keep the water beside you.

The long gravel road twists and turns as you cycle around inlets on the eastern shores of Llyn Brenig. Further along, you begin to climb on a paved road, with a wind farm to your right, and eventually reach a main road. Turning left, the cycle trail is adjacent to the road, soon peeling further away onto a sublime singletrack trail through Gors Maen Llwyd nature reserve.

The views from up here are also fantastic, reaching as far as the Clwydian Range and North Wales coast on clear days. You reach the high point of the ride atop Bryn Maen, and then drop down into the forest and over the little stone bridge, Pont Brenig.

To ride back to the visitor centre, you follow the track down the western flank of the reservoir, which is much more sheltered. Take great care when you rejoin the road for the final section, as the road is one-way in the opposite direction for cars.