The Brecon Beacons National Park features in a short film of a stunning mountain bike trip to coincide with The National Trust’s ‘Special Places’ campaign

They launched the initiative at the Hay Festival in May to find Wales’ most special place.

NT Director for Wales, Justin Albert, said: ‘Our research shows everyone has their own special place, and we want to start a national conversation that gets everyone involved and shouting about their own – from school children to grandparents, to well-known names and politicians.

‘We want a summer of celebrating our favourite places and sharing them with everyone to enjoy. We can’t wait to see which location comes out on top!'

Voting has already closed and the shortlist of ten special places will be announced at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells in a fortnight.

But in the meantime, feast your eyes on this video short about mountain biking in the Black Mountains - the trip takes in the bothy on the shores of Grwyne Fawr reservoir.

The tiny shelter - which can be used by anyone on a first come, first served basis for free - is slap-bang on the classic, black-graded Grwyne Fawr loop known locally as the Talgarth Killer - and with good reason! At 51km, it’s a long day out in remote and truly wild terrain, and with some testing climbs thrown in for good measure. Hay-based Drover Cycles have maps of the route in the shop, as well as a fleet of mountain bikes for hire perfectly suited to this ride.

Have a look at the video below, and watch out for a forthcoming feature in Mountain Bike Rider magazine by local guiding outfit Wild Rides about a two-day trip taking in the Grwyne Fawr bothy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnb2r6qLTVw