Navigating Caersws Bike Park: Trails, Services, Costs, and Hours
Caersws Bike Park is one of Wales’s most iconic downhill venues, located on Henblas Hill near the village of Caersws. Known for its steep gradients, raw terrain, and long racing history, it has become a favourite destination for gravity riders across the UK. With four main downhill tracks, a new triple-black freeride line, and a reliable uplift service, it delivers a focused experience for riders who want maximum descents and no climbing.
Trails and Riding Zones
The park’s trail network is compact but demanding, designed specifically for downhill progression:
- Red Trails – The Outsider & Freeride: Flowing descents with berms, drops, and jumps suited to intermediate riders.
- Black Trails – The Dragon’s Tail & Scorcher: Steeper, rougher tracks with roots, rocks, and fast chutes for advanced riders.
- Triple-Black Trail – Helfare Highway: A new freeride line built with Shimano and Matt Jones, featuring some of the toughest jumps and features in the UK.
All trails are gravity-fed and accessed exclusively by the uplift service—there are no pedal-up return tracks.
On-Site Facilities
Caersws provides essential facilities for a full day of downhill riding:
- On-site parking near the uplift base
- Toilets at the sign-on hut
- Pont Petite café serving coffee, pastries, and light lunches on uplift days
- Bike wash station (small fee per wash)
- Rider sign-in hut with staff support
Facilities are straightforward but cover the needs of downhill riders. Bringing your own tools and spares is strongly advised.
Entry Costs
All visits must be booked in advance—no casual ride-in is permitted. Standard ticket options include:
- Adult Uplift Day Pass – ~£45 per rider (10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
- Private Hire & Coaching Sessions – Available on request at separate rates
Tickets are limited and usually sell out quickly, so booking early is essential.
Opening Hours
Caersws operates on selected uplift days rather than daily opening. Standard times are:
- Saturday (public uplifts): 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Private or coaching sessions: By arrangement on other days
- Closed to the public outside these sessions
Always check the official schedule before travelling, as dates and availability vary.
Trail Guides & On-Site Navigation
Caersws Bike Park sits on private farmland, which makes it a little different from large trail centres. There are no sprawling networks or confusing maps here—just a handful of clearly defined downhill lines that all feed back to the same uplift base. Riders often find the layout intuitive, and the park’s compact size means you can easily session the same features multiple times in one day.
Trail Navigation
- All runs start from the top of Henblas Hill, reached via the uplift service.
- Trails are colour-graded (red, black, and triple-black) with markers at the entry points.
- Because the park is designed purely for downhill, there are no cross-country loops or alternative trail options.
- Riders typically walk the start of a line on their first run to get familiar before dropping in.
Location & Address
Caersws Bike Park is set on private farmland above the village of Caersws in Mid Wales. The site sits on the slopes of Henblas Hill, offering a compact but steep venue that’s easy to reach from the main road.
Official Address:
Caersws Bike Park
Henblas Farm
Caersws
Powys
Postcode: SY17 5JE
Wales, United Kingdom
The park is easy to reach by car and has on-site parking near the uplift pick-up point. Sat-nav users are advised to enter the full address, as rural postcodes can cover a wide area.
Nearby Support & Essentials
Although facilities on site are limited, useful services are close by:
Bike Shops: Wheelism (Llanidloes, ~15 minutes) offers bike servicing and spares. Larger shops are available in Newtown (~10 minutes).
Fuel & Groceries: Newtown and Caersws village both have petrol stations, convenience stores, and supermarkets for supplies.
Medical Services: Llanidloes War Memorial Hospital and Newtown Hospital are the closest minor units; the nearest A&E is at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, roughly 50 minutes away.
Food & Accommodation: Caersws village has pubs, cafés, and B&Bs within a 5-minute drive, while Newtown offers more hotels and restaurants.
With all essentials close at hand, riders can focus on the main draw: fast uplift laps and some of the best downhill runs in Wales.
Rules of Caersws Bike Park
Caersws has built its reputation on fast, technical downhill tracks, and keeping the park safe depends on every rider following a clear set of rules. These guidelines are designed to protect the trails, the land, and the riders themselves.
Full-face helmets are mandatory, and riders must also wear knee pads as a minimum. Elbow pads, gloves, and body armour are strongly recommended, especially on the black and triple-black lines.
Bikes must be downhill-ready, with quality suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, and off-road tyres in good condition. Hardtails, BMX bikes, and unsuitable e-bikes are not permitted.
Pre-booking is essential. Only riders with a confirmed booking for an uplift day, private hire, or coaching session are allowed on site. Walk-ins are not accepted.
Wristbands must be collected and worn visibly during your session to show you are registered to ride.
Stay on marked trails at all times. Short-cutting, creating new lines, or riding closed sections damages the hillside and risks long-term trail closures.
Trail features must not be altered. Every jump, berm, and drop has been professionally designed, and any modification is strictly forbidden.
Use only the official uplift service. Private shuttles, vehicles, or push-ups up the uplift road are not allowed for safety reasons.
Ride within your ability. The park’s tracks are steep and demanding; riders should build up gradually and not attempt advanced lines without the necessary skills.
Under-16s must be supervised by a responsible adult on site at all times.
Dogs are not permitted on the trails. If brought, they must remain in the car park on a short lead.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking are prohibited. Riders under the influence will be removed immediately.
No fires or barbecues are allowed anywhere on the property due to the risk of woodland fire.
Park only in designated areas and avoid blocking access roads, gates, or farm tracks.
All litter must be taken home. The park provides minimal bins, and riders are expected to leave no trace.
Commercial coaching or filming requires prior approval from management.
Park staff and marshals have full authority to enforce these rules. Failure to comply can result in suspension of your uplift pass or permanent exclusion. Respecting the rules ensures Caersws remains one of the UK’s best-loved downhill venues.