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Wales on Sunday Moutain Biking feature

People from across the globe know that Mid Wales is a Mountain Biking Mecca. From energetic rides for all the family to white-knuckle descents down perilous mountain sides, we've got world class facilities all over the countryside.

Mountain biking in Wales has developed its reputation thanks to the inspired work of a host of experienced and dedicated mountain bikers, trail development crews and volunteers. Together they've cleared routes, mapped vast areas and built visitor centres which are attracting people in their droves.

Coed y Brenin near Dolgellau is one such tyre paradise which has caused a huge buzz in the mountain biking world. With unique, hand built, all-weather tracks and even a slalom course, the centre offers wonderful views of Snowdonia and the coast, as well as a great day out for riders of all levels.

Although it is popular with hardcore mountain biking enthusiasts via routes such as the infamous ‘Red Bull’ and MBR trails, through to the strenuous 38km Karrimor loop, it also has a great Fun route which is perfect for novices.

Famous for its burgeoning population of Red Kites, another centre at Nant-yr-Arian in Ceredigion combines new sections of hand built tracks with longer natural routes. This excellent all-weather riding provides an epic challenge and stunning scenery - trails head out into the wilds of the Cambrian Mountains and it's possible to cycle for days without meeting another soul!

All the trails have technical sections that can be tricky for novices so it is recommended that less experienced riders try the centre's Pendam route before taking on the Summit and Continental Syfydrin trails.

If there's a particular town which seems to be right at the very heart of the Welsh Mountain Biking scene then it's surely Machynlleth. Numerous waymarked routes of varying length and difficulty emanate from the centre of the town and out into the superb mountain and valley countryside. There really is something for every sort of rider, be it road and valley trails, long woodland stretches, rocky mountain tracks or slate ravines.

The area also boasts the Dyfi Forest, home to the Raw Dyfi Enduro, a 15km round trip with a final descent that is the longest in Wales. Watch out for the ‘eye of the needle’ a spectacular jump landing between two trees.

Remote and rugged, the Brecon Beacons has 16 new routes and is known for some of the UK's finest mountain biking. A vast network of trails has jarring drops and frantic descents as well as rides for complete beginners.

There are also smaller centres dotted around including those at Llanwrtyd Wells and Coed Trallwm, not far from Builth Wells. The former is Britain's smallest town which has a big reputation for its great bog snorkelling and Man v Horse events. The area is ideal for novices with gentle forest tracks and rolling hills although is a number of more challenging tracks for hardier souls.

Meanwhile the latter is home to the new Coed Trallwm Mountain Bike Centre which features trails split into three and graded to enable you to prepare yourselves for the toughest descent. Although challenging, the top of the centre's Black Trail hosts stunning view Drygarn Fawr to the west and the top of the Brecon Beacons to the south.