Denbighshire, North Wales
Access note: The Alwen footbridge is closed: Alwen Trail and Two Lakes Trail currently operate as linear out-and-back routes. Tree felling and haulage may also restrict forest-road access. Follow on-site closures and instructions. NRW’s detailed route descriptions use Easy or Moderate; its separate mountain-bike panel labels the Alwen route Blue/Moderate.
Alwen Reservoir offers a different rhythm from a downhill trail centre: water, forest and open moorland shape a ride where the views deserve as much attention as the bike handling. Its waymarked network suits cyclists who want an outdoor journey on surfaced paths and forest tracks, with options extending towards neighbouring Llyn Brenig. Shared use is central to the experience. Leave space for walkers and choose a pace that allows conversation, photographs and easy stopping rather than treating a lakeside stretch as a timed descent.
The current footbridge closure changes the classic reservoir outing. Natural Resources Wales says the Alwen Trail and Two Lakes Trail are operating as linear out-and-back routes, so a published circuit distance is not a promise of a complete loop today. Build the day around a permitted turnaround rather than trying to improvise a crossing. The named routes below retain their published distances and climbs to explain the network; closure signs determine what you can actually complete.
Moderate — shared walking and cycling route · 10.9 km — nominal complete route · 110 m — nominal complete route
Published climb and distance describe the usual reservoir circuit. It passes forest, moorland and the shore, with picnic benches and interpretation panels. Currently ride only the permitted out-and-back section because the linking footbridge is closed; allow enough energy for the return.
Official route information →Moderate — shared walking and cycling route · 15.3 km · 120 m
A longer choice following the inner shores of Alwen and Llyn Brenig. Its extra distance is a meaningful step up from a short waterside ride, particularly with children. Follow the current waymarkers and operational signs rather than assuming every connection on a printed map is available.
Official route information →Moderate — shared walking and cycling route · 22.7 km — nominal complete route · 220 m — nominal complete route
Normally the broadest two-reservoir outing, with open scenery around both lakes. The footbridge restriction also affects this route, which is currently linear out-and-back. Do not calculate a turnaround using the full circuit distance; make your permitted section and return plan explicit.
Official route information →Easy — shared walking and cycling route · 3.1 km one way · 40 m
The connecting path between Alwen and Llyn Brenig provides a shorter building block for a day between the reservoirs. Its distance is one way, so an unsupported return ride doubles that distance. Use the connection deliberately, with your starting car park and collection arrangements settled.
Official route information →The leaflet maps Alwen and the Two Lakes connection to Brenig. The closed footbridge currently changes the circuits to out-and-back rides.
For a first visit, choose a modest permitted section of the Alwen Trail and turn back while the group still feels fresh. The scenery gives a short ride a clear purpose without needing the complete circuit. With a family, agree who leads and who stays behind the slowest rider before leaving the car park. A turnaround also means meeting other users coming towards you, so keep your speed low where the path narrows.
An experienced cyclist can use the network for steady endurance rather than hunting for technical features. The larger two-lake routes reward planning around distance, weather and shared access. If an open route allows an extension, decide on it before fatigue makes navigation vague. A shorter outing followed by time at Brenig is a better day than reaching a barrier with no agreed return plan.
Alwen Reservoir is reached from near Denbigh. Use LL21 9TT alongside the official entrance directions. Official directions →
Alwen is southwest of Denbigh, reached from the B4501 towards Cerrigydrudion. Use the marked reservoir turning and the stoned access track rather than relying solely on postcode LL21 9TT, which covers a broad area. Welsh Water operates the paid car park; bring coins for its cash-only machine, which does not give change. The Alwen and Brenig entrances are separate, so establish your meeting point before travelling.
Natural Resources Wales names Rhyl as the nearest mainline railway station. That leaves a substantial onward journey to the upland reservoir: arrange the final connection separately rather than expecting a station beside the trails. Transport for Wales carries bicycles free, subject to available space and busy-period restrictions. Check the service you intend to use and any onward transport arrangements before committing to a car-free day.
Find the planning area on a map →There are no staff at Alwen and the route panel says there are no facilities on the Alwen Trail. Carry your own food, drink and repair essentials instead of planning an on-route purchase. Nearby Llyn Brenig has the Welsh Water visitor centre, with its café, cycle hub and osprey exhibition. Treat that as a separate stop with its own opening arrangements, not a staffed service point beside every reservoir path.
Plan this ride with your own mountain bike. The official visitor information describes rider facilities and access.
Welsh Water parking is seasonal: £6 all day April–October and £2 November–March. The machine takes cash only and gives no change; the closed footbridge currently prevents a complete reservoir loop.
Open moorland can make a modest ride feel considerably harder when wind or rain arrives. The official route panel warns of sudden weather changes and poor mobile coverage on much of the network, so download your map and keep a warm waterproof layer accessible. Short daylight makes an early turnaround sensible in winter. In warmer weather, pause on established surfaces to enjoy the landscape rather than pushing bikes onto the surrounding moor or cutting corners between paths.
Denbigh makes a useful town base for combining riding with an evening meal. The Hand Inn is a family-run Welsh pub in the medieval town, serving food and drinks; check its current serving arrangements when planning your return. Keep the reservoir picnic separate from dinner plans, so a later meal booking does not become a reason to rush the final shared stretch.
Denbigh Castle offers a non-riding half-day on Castle Hill, with an exhibition and access to the upper wall walk. Cadw publishes seasonal opening days, including weekly closures, so fit the visit around those rather than assuming daily access. Change out of cycling shoes before exploring the gravel paths and steps, particularly after rain. It provides a useful town-based alternative when the exposed reservoir weather makes a longer ride unappealing.
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Displayed distances are straight-line estimates using OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), not road journeys. Ask the property about secure bike storage and wet-kit arrangements before booking.
RIDE PREPARATION
Consider what suits the route, forecast and your own experience.
The linking footbridge is closed. NRW says the Alwen Trail and Two Lakes Trail currently run as linear out-and-back routes. Respect the signed turnaround rather than finding an unofficial crossing.
The current route listings use Moderate and Easy for shared walking and cycling routes. Those labels are retained here rather than converted into a mountain-bike colour grade.
The Lakes Link is the named connection, published at 3.1 km one way. Allow for the return journey unless you have arranged a separate finish.
Bring a picnic for the ride. The visitor centre and café are at neighbouring Llyn Brenig, so include that as a planned separate stop.
The usual Alwen Trail is described as family friendly. Choose a permitted distance that suits the youngest rider, account for the return leg and leave room for walkers.
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Choose manageable family trails, fit children’s bikes, pace the day, assess clubs and coaches, and make a separate safe plan for dogs.
Share mountain-bike trails safely, protect wildlife and soil, report hazards clearly, volunteer with permission and photograph riding considerately.
Validate GPX routes, prepare offline maps and power, protect shared ride data and plan safe decisions and emergency contact away from the trailhead.
Trail conditions change — check the official page before you travel.
Open official site →