UPM Tilhill's new mountain bike centre
on the international map

Coed Llandegla Forest has become the UK's first mountain bike centre to receive IMBA (International Mountain Biking Association) accreditation. Owner UPM Tilhill has successfully developed the site, within an operational commercial forest, into a comprehensive mountain biking and visitor centre, thanks to funding from the Forestry Commission, Wales Tourist Board, and Cadwyn Clwyd.

Located in North East Wales, a stone's throw from the major conurbations of Wrexham, Chester, Liverpool, Manchester, and the Midlands, the centre is ideally located, with a third of the UK population living within a 90-minute car journey.

Recently IMBA has carried out a Trail Assessment, looking at key issues such as safety, signage, waymarking, visitor facilities and sustainability: "We were delighted to be rated very highly by IMBA," said Phil Johnson, North Wales District Manager for UPM Tilhill. "The new visitor centre has proved very popular since it opened this summer. Each month we welcome over 5,000 visitors - from experienced mountain bikers to families with young children. Now, with this international recognition for our high safety standards and first class facilities, we look forward to the opportunity of welcoming new visitors to Coed Llandegla Forest from all corners of the globe!"

UPM Tilhill created the visitor centre as a focus for the many groups who enjoy the forest. Coed Llandegla has long been popular with walkers and horse riders on the several rights of way which cross the forest (including the well-known Offa's Dyke footpath). Over the years, UPM Tilhill has improved recreation facilities with the creation of new permissive routes and a small car park. Through its welcoming approach to all users, clear sign posting, and visitor information, the new centre has been able to welcome all the different user groups to the improved facility.

The new, purpose-built, log cabin style visitor centre contains a spacious café, shop, bike hire and repair, as well as classroom facilities. From here, family groups as well as 'serious' mountain bikers can set out to enjoy the forest, selecting their route from 30km of newly-created graded trails.

The Blue (family) route is suitable for all; the Green (beginner) route is aimed at those who wish to dip their toes into the world of mountain biking, safe in the knowledge they are not going to encounter lung-bursting climbs or terrifying descents; and the Red (intermediate) route has as its priority, unlike many other centres, fun riding for the more experienced mountain biker. A short but very technical Black route (very experienced bikers only!) has recently been added, with additional sections planned for the spring. Bike washes are also available at the centre, ensuring that bikes can go home as clean as they arrived. The shop stocks a range of high quality cycles, and a fleet of Kona mountain bikes and Tag Alongs are also available for hire.

For visitors who want to explore the forest on two legs rather than two wheels, there is a walk of 4.5km (about 60 minutes). The route starts from the centre and explores the eastern end of the forest including the Pendinas reservoir. There is even the chance to test fitness levels on the trim trail. Additional walks are planned for the New Year, one of which will visit the UPM Tilhill/RSPB bird hide to view black grouse, hen harriers, and other rare protected species in their natural habitat.

The visitor centre was designed to complement the surrounding environment, with sustainable development being a key objective. The building is of a solid log construction with timber from certified and managed forests. The energy to heat the building and the water comes from a geothermal heat pump which has 2km of pipes buried in the ground, coupled with solar panels. There is also a rain-water collection system which provides water for the toilets and the bike jet wash. The building has already been used as an example of sustainable development by students on a degree course from the North East Wales Institute in Wrexham.

The new classroom hosts various courses - from forestry education to mountain bike tuition. The classroom is also available to all types of groups, from schools to corporations, for their own education or training programmes.
Oneplanet Adventure, a new company with two highly-experienced mountain bikers at the helm, Ian Owen and Jim Gaffney, runs the centre. Ian has been mountain biking for more than 15 years, with the pinnacle of his experiences coming during a six-month solo expedition over the Himalayas a couple of years ago. Jim Gaffney is well known locally as the guy behind the very successful www.ridetheclwyds.com and www.ridehiraethog.com websites, which he established during his time working for Denbighshire Countryside Service as the Mountain Bike Development Officer.

News & Events