Travel and Parking: From the Event Centre take the A487 South. Turn left on to the A4120 before leaving the Aberystwyth built-up area. Continue for 19 km to Devil's Bridge.
Cars: Turn right into the B4343 and continue south for 5 km. Turn left into Hafod Forest just after the junction with the B4574. For those travelling from the South the event will be signposted from Pontrhydgroes. Parking will be on a field near the River Ystwyth inside the Hafod Estate. Some early and late arrivals will be parked on forest track, up to 1.5km downhill to Assembly.
It will be a one way system so all vehicles must arrive by 12.00. No exit before 12.30.
Large and small camper vans and minibuses: In Devil's Bridge turn right on the B4574, and continue to signs for parking on forest roads. Shuttle buses will provide transport to the edge of the Hafod Estate. There is then a 1.3 km downhill walk to Assembly. You might prefer to use your own mountain bike rather than the bus shuttle.
Bus drop-off: 1.3km downhill - 70m height difference - to Assembly. The return trip is along the same route.
Assembly: Assembly is a field where the old Hafod Mansion used to stand (now demolished). It is up to 300 metres from the parking field (15 m climb) and is suitable for pushchairs.
Grid Reference: SN759732 (Streetmap); Google Maps
Starts: Red Start is 2.4km (135m climb) from Assembly. Allow 40 mins.
Blue Start is 1.0 km (0m climb) from Assembly. Allow 17 minutes.
Map: Revised survey & cartography by OmapZ 2012 based on 2005 map by MapWorks. Scale 1:10,000, contour interval 5m. Magnetic North 2012.
Terrain: Forestry plantation with some remaining old deciduous woodland from the Hafod Estate, either side of the steep-sided valley of the River Ystwyth. Photos.
Safety Information: Please take great care if driving on the forest roads and be aware of competitors crossing and walking to the starts.
Competitors could see cars on forest roads because people live in remote parts of Hafod. Please warn juniors because some courses follow a forest road.
There are many large crags which will not be taped. Courses are planned to avoid these crags.
The River Ystwyth flows through the middle of the forest and is OUT OF BOUNDS. Junior competitors MUST stay on the path when walking to the start and keep away from the river.
If lost go downhill to the river but beware of steep crags.
Special Information: There is limited parking space. Please share cars wherever possible. You could also park with camper vans and then use bikes.
There is an area of waxcap fungus near the parking field, which will be taped and is strictly out of bounds.
A footbridge is used by competitors and by people walking to the Blue start. Keep to the RIGHT.
Middle Distance: Courses have been planned to meet winning times in the range 30 to 35 minutes and have followed BOF Event Guideline C (Middle Distance).The event will incorporate the 2012 Welsh Middle Distance Championships as well as UK Cup, FCC and UK Masters Cup races.