Additional Trails
With so many great places to ride in the UK, it was tough picking just 50 for this year’s guide. So here are another 49 trail centres and bike parks that are well worth a visit...
ENGLAND NORTH EAST CHOPWELL WOOD, GATESHEAD
This local spot to Newcastle has a 2.5km red run as well as a selection of natural trails. Postcode: NE39 1LT www.forestryengland.uk/ chopwell-wood
NORTH WEST CLAYTON VALE, MANCHESTER
The National Cycle Centre has two blue loops with red and black options, a skills area and a pump track. Postcode: M40 2WD www.nationalcyclingcentre.com
FARMER JOHN’S MTB PARK, STOCKPORT
A hub of the North West scene, with both DH and freeride tracks, plus dirt jumps. Hosts races too. Postcode: SK6 5EN www.mtb.com
GNAR BIKE PARK, CUMBRIA
This homegrown freeride park has a proper oldschool feel to it, with plenty of hand-dug features to test you. Postcode: CA4 0HG www.facebook.com/gnarbikepark
HAVOK BIKE PARK, YORKSHIRE
Small in size, but not in scope, Havok’s freeride lines and mix of natural and manmade DH tracks will test even the best. Postcode: OL14 7ES www.havokbikepark.com
MIDLANDS KORC SPORT, LINCOLNSHIRE
Kirton O Road Centre is mainly a place for MX riding and 4x4 driving, but they’ve added over 10km of XC trails and host rounds of the Midland MTB Series. Postcode: DN21 4JL www.korc.co.uk
RIBBESFORD BIKE PARK, WORCESTERSHIRE
On the edge of Wyre Forest, between Bewdley and Stourport, there’s a small selection of shortcourse DH runs here, with
jumps of varying sizes. Postcode: DY12 2TX www.twitter.com/Ribes_ Bike_Park
SOUTH EAST BEDGEBURY FOREST, KENT
The trail centre makes the most of this 2,000acre forest with over 10km of family trails and a 13km red route with berms, rocks and drops. Postcode: TN17 2SJ www.forestryengland.uk/ bedgebury
BPB, HAMPSHIRE
Bike Park Bishopstoke, near Southampton, is run by local riders in partnership with the Forestry Commission. It has a number of jump lines and trails that are evolving all the time. Postcode: SO50 6BW www.facebook.com/Hampshirefreeride
THE BULL TRACK, EAST SUSSEX
A pay-to-ride venue, it has multiple lines renowned for their jumps, ranging from small tabletops to sizable gaps.
Postcode: TN6 3HF www.facebook.com/ The-Bull-Track113413998801258
CHICKSANDS, BEDFORDSHIRE
There’s lots to do here, with a 4X track, dual slalom course, DH runs, dirt jumps and XC loop, and new stu appearing all the time.
Postcode: SG17 5QQ www.chicksandsbikepark.co.uk
DEERS LEAP, WEST SUSSEX
A few miles from Crawley, this 240-acre site has a family loop, boardwalk sections, some singletrack trails and a skills area. Postcode: RH19 4NG www.deersleap.co.uk
FRISTON FOREST, EAST SUSSEX
Friston has two dedicated cycle routes – a 6km blue loop, which is ideal for getting the whole family out, and the Jeremy Cole trail, 9km of red-graded singletrack that follows the forest’s undulating terrain. Postcode: BN20 0AT www.forestryengland.uk/ friston-forest
ISLE OF WIGHT MTB CENTRE
This relatively new venue has trails for all levels. As the home of dirt jump pro Sam Hodgson, it’s got a few big hits too! Postcode: PO30 3JE www.isleofwightmountainbikecentre.com
PARADISE MTB, EASTBOURNE
Eastbourne’s downhill, freeride and dirt jump area packs in a host of features. The four DH tracks range from gentle to very steep, and there are various jump lines. Postcode: BN20 7TE www.facebook.com/ParadiseMTB
S4P B1KEPARK, SURREY
Managed by the team behind Wind Hill and Rogate, this progressive dirt jump park is a regular hangout for the likes of Brendan Fairclough and Olly Wilkins. Postcode: GU8 5BJ www.b1ke.com
SOUTHAMPTON BIKE PARK, HAMPSHIRE
This community riding spot packs a lot into a relatively small space – jump lines, a pump track, dual slalom, dirt jump area and more. It’s free to ride and suitable for everyone from kids on balance bikes to backflipping pros.
Postcode: SO16 7AY www.southamptonbikepark.com
THETFORD FOREST, NORFOLK
England’s largest lowland forest has hundreds of miles of unmarked singletrack plus three manmade MTB trails – a red, blue and green – and a pump track.
Postcode: IP27 0AF www.forestryengland.uk/ high-lodge
TUNSTALL FOREST, SUFFOLK
The 16km Viking trail is mostly fast, flowing singletrack, making use of old motorcycle enduro race tracks, with optional red-graded features. Postcode: IP12 2HQ www.forestryengland.uk/ tunstall-forest
TWISTED OAKS BIKE PARK, SUFFOLK
This private bike park is members only, but o ers non-member riding days so check the website. It has red and blue trails, a dual slalom track, a skills zone and a jump training area, with black trails coming soon.
Postcode: IP10 0AX www.twistedoaks.co.uk
WOBURN BIKE PARK, BEDFORDSHIRE
The stomping ground of slopestyle ace Matt Jones, Woburn is best known for its dirt jumps, but there are plenty of loamy berms to be found in the woods here too. Postcode: MK17 8TH www.facebook.com/woburnbikepark
SOUTH WEST CARDINHAM WOODS & LANHYDROCK, CORNWALL
Cardinham has a 12km blue-graded loop with flowing singletrack, rollers, stepdowns and tight hairpins, plus two optional red-graded sections. Two miles down
the road, Lanhydrock has a selection of short trails. Postcode (C): PL30 4AL www.forestryengland.uk/ cardinham
Postcode (L): PL30 4AB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock
OKEFORD HILL BIKE PARK, DORSET
On the former UK Bike Park site, this venue has seven gravity-fed runs and an uplift service, with more trails to come. Postcode: DT11 0EF www.okefordhillbikepark.co.uk
REDHILL EXTREME, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Dirt jumps, dual slalom and a full-scale 4X track make this low-key spot the perfect place for a summer evening session. Postcode: GL14 1JU www.redhillextreme.com
SCADSON FREERIDE PARK, DEVON
The builders have packed this small hill with corners, drops and jumps, so there’s plenty to keep you amused. Postcode: TQ3 1RW www.scadsonfreeride.com
THE TRACK, CORNWALL
This five-acre jump park is a haven for riders of all levels. The features range from tiny rollers all the way up to massive steep-lipped doubles and there’s even a foam pit for old dogs to learn new tricks on.
Postcode: TR16 4HN www.the-track.co.uk
TIDWORTH FREERIDE B1KEPARK, WILTSHIRE
There’s plenty to go at here, with eight tracks graded from blue to black that range from tech and rooty to fast, flowing and jumpy. A B1Ke pass lets you ride at Tidworth, Rogate, Wind Hill and S4P. Postcode: SP9 7TE www.b1ke.com
NORTHERN IRELAND BARNETT DEMESNE, BELFAST
Within spitting distance of the capital, Barnett Demesne has a 3.9km blue route, with red options and a jump park. Postcode: BT9 5PR www.mountainbikeni.com
BLESSINGBOURNE, COUNTY TYRONE
Set in the grounds of this stately home is an 8km red trail with a mix of flow and technical sections, as well as a shorter and easier 4km blue. Postcode: BT75 0QS www.mountainbikeni.com
CASTLE WARD, COUNTY DOWN
More riding within a beautiful historic setting. Try not to get distracted by the panoramic views on the family-friendly blue and green loops. Postcode: BT30 7BA www.mountainbikeni.com
TOLLYMORE
The only o cial trail here is a skills area with small drops, log rides and other features, but the surrounding woods are home to a constantly growing network of locals-dug lines. Postcode: BT33 0PR www.mountainbikeni.com
SCOTLAND HIGHLANDS BALBLAIR, KYLE OF SUTHERLAND
A hidden jewel in the far north of Scotland, with natural and remote-feeling trails. The short blue forms part of the longer black, which keeps you on your toes with slabs and boardwalk. Postcode: IV24 3EE www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/balblair
GLENLIVET, CAIRNGORMS
Glenlivet has a 9km blue trail and a 22km red. The red has a monster climb, so watch out! Last summer they built a pump track and skills loop. Visit the distillery while you’re here. Postcode: AB37 9AR www.glenlivetestate.co.uk
HIGHLAND WILDCAT TRAILS, GOLSPIE, SUTHERLAND
The black here has one of the longest descents in Scotland. While they’re shorter, the blue and red routes are also well worth a ride.
Postcode: KW10 6SD www.highlandwildcat.com
LEARNIE RED ROCKS, BLACK ISLE
A half-hour drive from Inverness, this compact centre has six short trails for all abilities. They’re linked by forest roads, allowing you to create your own ride. Postcode: IV10 8SL www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/learnieredrocks
MORAY MONSTER TRAILS
North-west of Aberdeen, this little trail centre packs a lot into a small area, with blue and red trails, black sections, a freeride area, pump track and jump line.
Postcode: IV32 7PG www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/moraymonster-trails
CENTRAL SCOTLAND CARRON VALLEY, LANARKSHIRE
A 20-minute drive north of Glasgow, Carron’s red trail has some great features and a free-ride-style final descent. It’s best suited to mid-level riders, but is all rollable for keen beginners. Postcode: FK6 5JL www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/carron-valley
COMRIE CROFT, PERTHSHIRE
An hour’s drive north of Scotland’s two biggest cities, Comrie Croft’s trails may not be long but they’re packed with features. They include hand-built red and
black-graded singletrack, a swoopy, bermy blue trail, and a bike skills and fun park. Postcode: PH7 4JZ www.comriecroftbikes.co.uk
BORDERS DRUMLANRIG CASTLE, DUMFRIESSHIRE
These natural-feeling trails snake their way through idyllic woodland, with a choice of blue, red and black options that can be combined into a 20km loop. Postcode: DG3 4AQ www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk
GLENTROOL, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Set in Galloway Forest Park, this 7stanes centre is perfect for families and beginners, with short green and blue trails, plus a 58km Big Country Route mainly on forest roads (which links to the Kirroughtree black). Postcode: DG8 6SZ https://forestryandland.gov.scot
WALES NORTH WALES FOEL GASNACH DH PARK, DENBIGHSHIRE
If you want to push yourself, this is the place. Foel opened in 2005 and now boasts four DH tracks. An uplift service most weekends lets you bang out the runs. Postcode: LL15 2DR www.fdhr.co.uk
MOELFRE DOWNHILL, POWYS
This DH venue is brought to you by the MTBuplifts. team, who host shuttle days here. It’s an open grass hillside with a fast and wild track and some steep turns.
Postcode: SY10 7QR www.facebook.com/mtbuplifts
ONE GIANT LEAP, LLANGOLLEN
Known for hosting national DH races, this place is also accessible to novice riders. It’s members-only but the fees aren’t expensive, and you can shuttle yourselves outside of organised uplift days. Postcode: LL20 8AR www.onegiantleapllangollen.co.uk
MID WALES CAERSWS DH BIKEPARK, POWYS
Popular since the early Noughties, the open hillside here boasts three DH tracks that cater for novice to advanced riders. Look out for uplift days and events. Postcode: SY17 5JE www.facebook.com/Caerswsdh.racing
CWM RHAEADR, CARMARTHENSHIRE
A (well) hidden gem, tucked away in remote woodland. There’s just one, red-graded, 6.5km loop here, but it has a fantastic 4km descent that you’ll want to ride again and again. Postcode: SA20 0TL www.mbwales.com
SOUTH WALES MARGAM COUNTRY PARK, PORT TALBOT
Just o the M4, Margam has a short blue trail and a 5km red and black combined loop, both revamped this year and featuring short, punchy ups, flowing bermed descents (red) and techy natural downs (black). Postcode: SA13 2TJ www.margamcountrypark.co.uk
MOUNTAIN VIEW BIKE PARK, CAERPHILLY
This growing venue just north of Cardi opened last summer, with pump tracks, jump lines, woodland trails, a blue/ green loop, plus cafe and bike shop/workshop. Postcode: CF83 1NG www.mountainviewbikepark.co.uk
VAN ROAD TRAILS, CAERPHILLY
With friendly locals, plus evening mates’ races and barbecues, you’re guaranteed a good time at this free-to-ride spot. It’s got dirt jumps, dual slalom and a pump track. Postcode: CF83 3DB https://vanrdtrails.co.uk