In this video I head out on a 30km mountain bike ride around Llangorse Lake, exploring the eastern side of the Brecon Beacons National Park (Bannau Brycheiniog) in South Wales. What starts as a scenic ride through quiet country lanes quickly turns into a much tougher adventure… as the trail disappears and I end up battling through thick, overgrown bracken! Starting in Scethrog, I climb out through narrow lanes towards Pennorth, passing farmland, stone cottages, and peaceful villages. The roads here are super quiet and give a real feel for rural Wales. From there I begin circling Llangorse Lake, the largest natural lake in South Wales, formed by glaciers thousands of years ago. Along the way I pass through Tal-y-llyn and Llanfihangel Talyllyn, spotting sheep grazing in the fields (and probably scaring a few 😅). Dropping down to the lake’s edge, there are boats, ducks, swans, and incredible views across to the Black Mountains. This area is well known for its wildlife, watersports, and even an ancient crannog – a rare man-made island linked to early Welsh history. After a quick stop at the lakeside café for a much-needed sweet treat, I head through Llangorse village before turning north towards the mountains. The ride starts to get more challenging as I climb higher on quiet back roads, with bigger and better views opening up with every turn. Things really change when I leave the road and hit the off-road sections near Pengenffordd. Riding along the lower slopes of Mynydd Troed, the scenery becomes more rugged and wild. The mountain rises to 609m and has a steep, dramatic profile. From here, the views stretch right across the Usk Valley and back down to the lake. But then… the bracken takes over. The trail becomes overgrown, narrow, and sometimes completely disappears. I’m forced to push the bike in places, fight through thick vegetation, and dodge sheep jumping out of the bushes. It definitely turns into more of an adventure than expected! Crossing onto Mynydd Llangorse, just south of Troed, the terrain opens up again. These two mountains frame the landscape around the lake and offer some of the best views in the area. At around 515m, Mynydd Llangorse might be lower, but the wide open summit gives stunning 360° views across the Brecon Beacons, the Black Mountains, and the Usk Valley. After a tough push through more bracken (and a steep hike-a-bike near Craig y Melyn), I finally reach the high ground… and then comes the reward — a long descent through Bwlch Wood down into Bwlch village. From there it’s a spin back along the A40 to Scethrog. This ride had everything — quiet lanes, amazing scenery, tough climbs, wildlife, and a proper battle through the bracken. Not the easiest 30km, but definitely one to remember!