5 PHILIPS PARK, PRESTWICH, GREATER MANCHESTER

Not to be confused with the Clayton Vale tracks nearer the Manchester

Velodrome, Philips

Park resides in Greater Manchester and is under the provision of Bury Council. It’s a modest 3.5km loop situated in pleasant woodland which is noisily adjacent to the M60 that sits right beside it. There has been mountain biking in this area for decades, but not until 2012 were any official trails put in place. The official trails are two loops (the North Loop and the slightly longer South Loop) with a connecting tarmac climb up between them back to the trailhead in a sort of figure of eight layout. The South Loop got resurfaced/reshaped this summer by Dirt Factory. There are plans to rejig the North Loop when funds allow. What’s it like? Fun

AF. Berms, whoops, tables, decently narrow singletrack for all abilities and ages.

Tap M45 7QJ into your maps to get there, or alternatively it’s just off junction 17 on the M60.

Elan Valley is mostly natural but there are two new man-made trails 2022 could be a big comeback year for fans of Afan Forest