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Dafydd

Dafydd Davis has been at the vanguard of trail construction and design for over twenty years. First and foremost an outdoorsman, he has a great love and understanding of the landscape, something which underpins his trademark holistic approach to the planning and implementation of trails worldwide.

As a climber, expert mountain biker and fell runner, he is more aware than most of the impact that trails can make upon the landscape. Dafydd has spent much of his career to date developing strategies for sustainable planning and methodologies for classification and construction; benchmark standards that are now used worldwide.

Dafydd was responsible for the development and management of the UK’s first purpose built mountain bike trails at Coed y Brenin in North Wales and the implementation of the worlds first national development strategy for mountain bike trails and tourism (MTB Wales 1999). He was responsible for developing and refining the ‘Trail Centre’ model which is now prevalent throughout the UK and elsewhere.

From these projects, he has extended and consolidated his philosophy and has been responsible for trail planning and development strategies throughout the world.

A trailblazer in every sense of the word, Dafydd's unique, holistic approach has brought sustainability to the planning, design and management of trails of all types with an emphasis on minimising visual and environmental impacts, managing conflict and risk while drastically reducing management and maintenance requirements.

His aim is to allow a broad spectrum of users to enjoy the landscape while working seamlessly with the existing topography, without changing its character or sense of place. Properly designed and implemented, this approach creates a minimal footprint for a large footfall and is entirely sustainable with very little need for further management.

Dafydd was awarded an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours List in 2004 for his contribution to the development of forest recreation and tourism in Wales.



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Andy

Andy Beavis is Dafydd's associate in Ireland. A keen mountain biker, runner, climber and mountaineer, Andy has been involved heavily with trails design and construction since becoming a freelance outdoor recreation consultant in 2005. His speciality is in the micro-design and site supervision aspects of projects.

He has been closely involved with Dafydd in major projects such as:
  • The Grey Abbey Equestrian Trails
  • Tollymore Mountain Centre Mountain Bike Skills Area.
  • Site supervision of the construction of mountain bike trails at Rostrevor and Castlewellan, N.I.
  • Path reviews for The Mournes and Slieve Croob Upland Path Strategic Review, N.I.
  • Trail development and site supervision at Castle Ward, N.I.



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Michelle

Michelle Jones has been part of Dafydd's team for over four years. She has worked on a variety of projects, from site assessment level through to the implementation of management plans once trails have been constructed.

"I completely understand and appreciate Dafydd’s methodology for trail planning and design which leads to the successful construction of the right trails in the right places. As my experience in the field has increased, so has my responsibility within the business. I am now self-employed, and work with Dafydd as an Associate Consultant, dealing with all aspects of Client communication, time organisation and the many levels of consultation which are involved during the trail planning and design process."

Recent projects in which Michelle has been involved include:
  • Corridor evaluations of The Silent Valley, Northern Ireland
  • The concept plans and mountain bike trail design for the Olympic Park, London, UK
  • Prescriptive trail design at The Beech Hill Hotel, Londonderry, Northern Ireland
  • Report on the potential of the Atherton Tablelands, Australia as a mountain biking destination
  • Site supervision at Divis Mountain, Belfast, Northern Ireland
  • Site assessment and concept plans for Moneyscalp Forest, Northern Ireland
  • The Strategic Pathway Review of the Mournes and Slieve Croob, Northern Ireland



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Michelle's website
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