Riding the MinorTaur Trail | Coed y Brenin’s Best Blue MTB Loop

Join me for a full loop ride of the legendary MinorTaur Blue Trail in Coed y Brenin Forest Park, located deep in the stunning Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park in North Wales.
In this video, I take you through all four loops of the MinorTaur trail — a 13 km purpose-built blue-grade mountain biking route that flows through ancient woodlands, past waterfalls, and along the banks of the beautiful River Mawddach.

📍 Coed y Brenin is known as the UK’s first purpose-built mountain bike centre, and the MinorTaur is one of its most accessible and fun trails — perfect for beginners building confidence, or experienced riders looking for fast flow, scenic singletrack, and just enough tech to keep things interesting.

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🗺️ TRAIL OVERVIEW

🟦 MinorTaur Blue Trail
• Grade: Blue (intermediate)
• Distance: ~13 km
• Loops: 4 interconnected loops with increasing difficulty
• Terrain: Gravel singletrack, flowing berms, rollers, stone features, tight switchbacks
• Key Features:
    • The “Time Portal” entrance sculpture 🌀
    • 10-berm “Slipway” descent 🎢
    • Gold mining history and waterfalls 🪙💦
    • Wildlife and stunning forest views 🌲🦅

This is a one-way trail, meaning no oncoming riders and plenty of space to ride at your own pace.
Expect smooth surfaces, optional jumps, and a mix of wide open paths and narrow forest singletrack — all designed with flow and fun in mind.

🏞️ ABOUT THE AREA

Coed y Brenin, which means “The King’s Forest” in Welsh, is a huge natural woodland and adventure park in North Wales.
Set in the Rhinogydd mountain range, this forest is rich with both natural beauty and human history.

🌳 The forest is home to:
• Red kites, buzzards, woodpeckers, and sometimes deer
• Ancient oak and Douglas fir trees
• Streams and mossy gorges
• Historic gold mining ruins and old stone farm walls

💧 The River Mawddach runs through the forest and eventually reaches the sea at Barmouth. It’s known for:
• Crystal-clear water
• Wild salmon and sea trout
• Two scenic waterfalls on the trail
• Historical use for mining and milling

There are also legends of Celtic spirits and mythical creatures in these woods — which is where the “MinorTaur” name comes from: a playful mix of “Minor” (small/easy trail) and “Minotaur” (the half-bull creature from Greek mythology).