wind hill b1kepark

Longleat safari park, in Wiltshire, is home to a whole menagerie of wild animals – and now some equally wild trails too! (Don’t worry, there are tamer options as well.) Operated by B1ke – the guys behind the Rogate, Tidworth and S4P bike parks – Wind Hill has only been around for a couple of years, but is already a firm rider favourite. The park does have a few natural-feeling descents, but it’s the perfectly-sculpted jumps that have put it on the map. Because the hill is small-ish, pedalling out laps isn’t an arduous task, but often riders will just congregate to session their favourite jumps. To ride here you have to register as a member, then pay £10 for a day pass (£125 for a year).

essential info

FACILITIES Free parking, cabin with hot drinks and snacks, toilets, coaching (by appointment). NEARBY BIKE SHOP Cycology Bikes, Frome 01373 469590 www.cycologybikes.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/ windhill, 07976 353963 GETTING THERE Wind Hill is set in woodland on the edge of the Longleat Estate. The car park is a short ride from the trails, just beyond the entrance to the safari park. Postcode: BA12 7NW

the trails BLUTOPIA 1km

With mellow gradients, arcing berms and pumping rollers, this is everything a blue flow-trail should be – enjoyable by anyone.

EMPURU 1km

Deep, bucket-like berms and progressive jumps make this track too good to just ride once.

ARK AT EE 1km

The jewel in the crown at Wind Hill, Ark At Ee incorporates elements of the trails that existed here before the bike park and weaves them into a run filled with drop-o s, step-downs, hips and tabletops.

VIAGRA FALLS 0.5km

Designed with input from local freeride legend and manual record-setter Chris Smith, this trail will make you sti with fear. The jumps start big and just get bigger, and the intimidating log drop feature has seen more than its fair share of spills. A bit of advice – go slower than you think you need to!