MBUK Trail Directory 2024
Find the best bike parks, trail centres & waymarked MTB routes near you!
SCOTLAND
01 AE FOREST, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Three XC loops – a green, a blue and a red (the 24km Ae Line) – and two DH runs.
Postcode: DG1 1QB https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
02 BALBLAIR, KYLE OF SUTHERLAND
A hidden jewel in the far north with natural, remote-feeling trails. The short blue is part of the longer black.
Postcode: IV24 3EE www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/balblair
NEW! 03 CAIRNGORM MOUNTAIN RESORT, AVIEMORE, CAIRNGORMS
Launched last summer and open from May each year, this spot has descents for all abilities, with conveyor belts to the top of the lower zone and climb trails above that.
Postcode: PH22 1RB www.cairngormmountain.co.uk
04 CALLENDAR ESTATE, FALKIRK
Between Edinburgh and Glasgow, with family-friendly trails, a small bike park, plus a shop and a cafe.
Postcode: FK1 3AZ www.callendarestate.co.uk
05 CARRON VALLEY, LANARKSHIRE
A 20-minute drive north of Glasgow, Carron’s red trail has some great features and a freeride-style final descent.
Postcode: FK6 5JL www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/carron-valley
06 CATHKIN BRAES, GLASGOW
Urban riding spot with jump lines, DH runs, short XC loops and a brilliant pump track.
Postcode: G45 0HR www.facebook.com/CathkinBraesMountainBiking
07 COMRIE CROFT, PERTHSHIRE
An hour north of Glasgow and Edinburgh, these short trails include 21km of red and black singletrack, a bermy blue trail and a skills park.
Postcode: PH7 4JZ www.comriecroftbikes.co.uk/trails/comrie-croft-trails
08 DALBEATTIE, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Part of Scotland’s ‘7stanes’ trail centre network, and best known for ‘The Slab’. Join the red route and you’ll soon find yourself rolling down this 14m-high chunk of granite.
Postcode: DG5 4QU https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
09 DH FARM, ABERDEENSHIRE
Closed as we went to press, but hopefully set to reopen this year, this small bike park near Banff has an orange freeride trail and red descent, both with optional black bits.
Postcode: AB45 2YX https://dhfarm.cc
10 DRUMLANRIG CASTLE, DUMFRIESSHIRE
Natural-feeling trails snake through woodland. Blue, red and black options can be combined into a 20km loop.
Postcode: DG3 4AQ www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk
11 FORT WILLIAM, LOCHABER
The UK’s only UCI World Cup venue, Fort Bill’s Nevis Range has three race tracks (DH, XC and 4X), several XC trails, blue descents and a skills loop, plus the gondola-accessed Top Chief red run.
Postcode: PH33 6SQ www.nevisrange.co.uk
12 GLENCOE MOUNTAIN RESORT, LOCHABER
Glencoe is the UK’s only other ski-lift-accessed riding spot after Fort William, and boasts similarly raw and rocky terrain on its red and black DH tracks. It has short mountaintop XC loops, too.
Postcode: PH49 4HZ www.glencoemountain.co.uk
13 GLENLIVET, CAIRNGORMS
Smooth, flowy, manmade blue and red-graded singletrack, plus a jump line, blue descent, pump track and off-piste trails.
Postcode: AB37 9AR www.glenlivetestate.co.uk
14 GLENTRESS, PEEBLESSHIRE
The jewel in the crown of the 7stanes network, Glentress has 16km of new trails – some packed with jumps – taking the total to 87km!
Postcode: EH45 8NB www.forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
15 GLENTROOL, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
In Galloway Forest Park, this 7stanes centre is perfect for beginners, with short green and blue trails, plus a 58km route linking to Kirroughtree.
Postcode: DG8 6SZ https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
16 HIGHLAND WILDCAT TRAILS, GOLSPIE, SUTHERLAND
The black trail has one of Scotland’s longest descents. While shorter, the blue and red are also well worth a ride.
Postcode: KW10 6SD www.highlandwildcat.com
17 INNERLEITHEN, PEEBLESSHIRE
Just down the road from Glentress, ‘Inners’ has four DH tracks (serviced by Adrenalin Uplift), a tough XC route and Enduro World Series-worthy off-piste runs.
Postcode: EH44 6PW https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
18 KIRKHILL MTB FUN PARK, ABERDEENSHIRE
A couple of miles outside of Aberdeen, this 1km blue trail is packed with berms and jumps. There are plenty of off-piste tracks here, too.
Postcode: AB21 0TU https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/kirkhill
19 KIRROUGHTREE, GALLOWAY
A remote, natural-feeling centre, home to a 31km black trail with the ‘McMoab’ rock-slab feature.
Postcode: DG8 7BE https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
20 LAGGAN WOLFTRAX, CAIRNGORMS
See ‘Spotlight on…’ below.
21 LEARNIE RED ROCKS, BLACK ISLE, ROSS & CROMARTY
A half-hour drive from Inverness, this compact centre has six short blue and black trails, linked by fireroads, plus a jump line.
Postcode: IV10 8SL www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/learnie-red-rocks
22 MABIE, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY
Another 7stanes centre, with family-friendly green and blue routes, a red trail and a 300m freeride line, too.
Postcode: DG2 8HB https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
23 MORAY MONSTER TRAILS, MORAY
Located north-west of Aberdeen, this centre packs a lot into a small area – blue and red loops, black sections, a freeride area, pump track and jump line.
Postcode: IV32 7PG www.forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/moray-monstertrails
24 NEWCASTLETON, ROXBURGHSHIRE
The most beginner-friendly of the 7stanes, with green, blue and red XC trails, set near the English border. Rock UK’s skills area in Whithaugh Park is worth a visit, too.
Postcode: TD9 0QD https://forestryandland.gov.scot/7stanes
25 PITFICHIE, ABERDEENSHIRE
As well as a National Champs DH track (still closed, as we went to press), Pitfichie also has a 6.4km red trail with ‘Devil’s Staircase’ descent.
Postcode: AB51 7SS https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/pitfichie
26 TARLAND TRAILS & ABOYNE BIKE PARK, DEESIDE
Both family-friendly spots, Tarland has 3km of blue, red and orange trails plus a pump track. Ten minutes away are two short DH tracks, a jump park and pump track.
Postcode: AB34 4ZQ www.tarland.org.uk
SPOTLIGHT ON
Laggan Wolftrax
Situated in the scenic far west of the Cairngorms National Park, Laggan’s riding is rough and rugged. There’s more than 20 miles of well-built trails here, with an out-in-the-wilds feel and plenty of rock features. It’s a top spot for beginners and intermediates, with green, blue and red-graded loops. Over the road are more natural steep, rooty and rocky tracks, which cater for advanced riders, as does the black route at the trail centre. Laggan just hosted the first round of this year’s Tweedlove Enduro Series, so you know the trails are great! Add its facilities and stunning location, and it’s one of our top UK riding spots.
TOP TRAILS
Wolf Cub Green
3.5/4.5km Ideal for novices, with a shallow climb and then a fantastic singletrack descent.
Blue routes
2.1km Several blue sections combine to form a perfect confidence-builder, featuring mellow jumps and swooping corners, berms and rollable rock features, plus a winding climb and plenty of classic Laggan bedrock.
Alpha Red aka Upper Red
3.8km A challenging ascent, with lots of technical features, builds you up to the singletrack descent that follows, peppered with step-downs and rollable rocks, drops, rock gardens and loose corners.
Rib Rattler aka Lower Red
2.5km This technical trail has both manmade rock causeways and natural rock features. Look out for ‘Air’s Rock’, a daunting black-graded granite slab (with chicken run).
Howlin’ Wolf Red
3.6km A fast-flowing trail with a series of big berms, jumps and tabletops.
Wolf of Badenoch Black
3.9km Climbing the forest road earns you a gnarly single-track descent with big drop-offs, boulder fields and rock slabs – and no opt-outs. Test your skills – and nerve – on the Devil’s Chessboard, a 40m rock staircase.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
GETTING THERE
Laggan lies off the A86 between Spean Bridge and Newtonmore in the Cairngorms, 40 mins southwest of Aviemore. Postcode: PH20 1BU
FACILITIES
Cafe, bike shop, bike hire, skills coaching and guiding, parking, toilets, showers, bike wash
NEARBY BIKE SHOPS
Bike Bothy Laggan This on-site shop is open Wednesday to Sunday, and has a workshop, too. www.bothy.bike
MORE INFORMATION
NORTHERN ENGLAND
27 CLAYTON VALE, MANCHESTER
The National Cycling Centre has two blue loops with red and black options, a skills area and a pump track.
Postcode: M40 2WD www.nationalcyclingcentre.com/mtb
28 CHOPWELL WOOD, TYNE & WEAR
This local spot to Newcastle upon Tyne, on the outskirts of Gateshead, has a 2.5km red run plus a selection of natural trails.
Postcode: NE39 1LT www.forestryengland.uk/chopwell-wood
29 DALBY FOREST, NORTH YORK MOORS
An extensive trail network encompassing everything from green family routes to a black-graded World Cup XC loop, plus a bike park/skills area.
Postcode: YO18 7LT www.forestryengland.uk/dalby-forest www.dalbyforestcyclehub.co.uk
30 FARMER JOHNS MTB PARK, STOCKPORT, GREATER MANCHESTER
See ‘Spotlight on…’, below.
31 GISBURN FOREST, LANCASHIRE
Lying within the Forest of Bowland AONB, Gisburn’s manmade yet natural-feeling XC trails include an easy blue and longer red. The forest also has a few DH tracks.
Postcode: BB7 4TS www.forestryengland.uk/gisburn-forest-and-stocks
32 GRIZEDALE, CUMBRIA
Mostly designed for families, but has a good red XC loop, plus access to the Lake District’s great natural trails.
Postcode: LA22 0QJ www.forestryengland.uk/grizedale
33 GUISBOROUGH FOREST, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Officially just one short blue loop, but there’s a black route and off-piste trails, too.
Postcode: TS14 8HD www.forestryengland.uk/guisborough-forest www.mtbguisborough.com
34 HAMILTON HILL, LINCOLNSHIRE
A small freeride park catering for all ages and ability levels on a “tiny, but bountiful” hill.
Postcode: LN8 3UL www.facebook.com/hamiltonhillmtbpark
NEW! 35 HAVOK BIKE PARK, WEST YORKSHIRE
This hand-cut, rider-built park reopened last year at a new site, with three push-up tracks featuring big, well-sculpted jumps.
Postcode: OL14 8PU https://havokbikepark.co.uk
36 HAMSTERLEY FOREST, COUNTY DURHAM
Three good XC routes – a blue, a red and a black – plus the DH trails of Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park.
Postcode: DL13 3NL www.forestryengland.uk, www.descendbikepark.com
37 KIELDER FOREST, NORTHUMBERLAND
Adjacent to the Scottish border, Kielder is one of the biggest and most remote UK trail centres, with 100+ miles of trails.
Postcode: NE48 1ER www.visitkielder.com
38 LEEDS URBAN BIKE PARK, WEST YORKSHIRE
Home to arguably the UK’s best city trail loop, this excellent free-to-ride facility has green, blue and red routes, a jump line and pump track. The trails of Stainburn Forest are nearby, too.
Postcode: LS10 3TN www.leedsurbanbikepark.com
39 SHEFFIELD SOUTH YORKSHIRE
The Steel City is a hive of MTB activity, with three main trail areas – Lady Cannings Plantation, Parkwood Springs and Greno Woods – plus techy DH runs in Wharncliffe Woods and easy access to the Peak District.
Postcodes: Lady Canning’s S11 7TU, P’wood Springs S5 8XB, Greno Woods S35 8RS, Wharncliffe S35 8PR www.ridesheffield.org.uk
40 SHROPSHIRE HILLS, SHROPSHIRE
Is Shropshire north or south? Either way, the waymarked trails in Eastridge Woods and Hopton Wood are tons of fun. Bringewood and Bucknell Woods each have a DH track, while the Long Mynd has miles of fantastic bridleways
Postcodes: Eastridge SY5 0TP www.forestryengland.uk/eastridge-woods Hopton SY7 0QF www.forestryengland.uk/hopton-wood
41 STAINBURN FOREST, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Just outside Leeds, this long-established venue has three short but feature-packed trail loops built by volunteers from SingletrAction. It lies on the doorstep of great natural riding in the Dales, too.
Postcode: LS21 2RA www.forestryengland.uk/stainburn-forest
42 SUTTON BANK, NORTH YORKSHIRE
In the North York Moors, Sutton Bank National Park Centre has five great trails from green to red, which combine bridleways with purpose-built sections, plus a skills area and pump track.
Postcode: YO7 2EH www.suttonbankbikes.co.uk www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
43 WHINLATTER FOREST, LAKE DISTRICT
A rarity – an English trail centre where you can ride your MTB on an actual mountain! The three all-weather trails are relatively easy, with black options.
Postcode: CA12 5TW www.forestryengland.uk/whinlatter
SPOTLIGHT ON
Farmer Johns MTB Park
Farmer Johns [sic] lies on the northern edge of the Peak District and is aimed at more experienced riders. There’s a welcoming vibe with no pressure, making it a fun place to hang out. This family-friendly park has a history of bringing on younger riders, too. It offers a melting pot of trail styles, with a dirt jump park and a ton of downhill tracks – graded red up to severe black – packed into the 40-acre site. Each run is around 1km long, but not even Farmer John himself knows the total distance! There are regular DH races here, too. FJs is constantly evolving and well-maintained. Look before you leap, though – some of the features are pretty wild! Farmer John’s next project is to build an XC/enduro loop.
TOP TRAILS
Various
Farmer John doesn’t go in for trail names. “I’m a bit against having signs everywhere,” he explains. “People will figure it out. Just send it and stay safe!” The site has flowier runs all over the upper slopes, ranging from more pumpy to more natural, and a line of bigger sends and steeper, techier DH terrain at the bottom. Some of the bigger jumps are pretty sizable, and there are some cool new-school features built with the digger, including a twisted ‘shark fin’ gapping a dirt road.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
GETTING THERE
Farmer Johns is near Marple Bridge, outside Stockport. Postcode: SK6 5EN
FACILITIES
Cafe, bike shop, toilets
NEARBY BIKE SHOPS
Dirt Factory (on-site) www.dirtfactory.co.uk
North West Mountain Bike Centre, Cheadle www.northwestcycles.net
MORE INFORMATION
SOUTHERN ENGLAND
44 ASTON HILL BIKE PARK, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
This fantastic bike park has been closed because of ash die-back, but felling is now complete and they plan to reopen in autumn 2024.
Postcode: HP22 5NQ www.astonhill.co.uk
45 BEDGEBURY FOREST, KENT
More than 10km of family trails, plus a 13km red loop with berms, rocks and drops.
Postcode: TN17 2SJ www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury
46 BIKE PARK BISHOPSTOKE, HAMPSHIRE
BPB, near Southampton, is run by riders in partnership with Forestry England. They hope to reopen the site this year. It has a number of jump lines and trails.
Postcode: SO50 6BW Search for ‘Bishy MTB’ on Facebook
47 BIKE PARK KERNOW, CORNWALL
Located in Trenowth Woods, just 10 minutes off the A30, this park has 10 short, mostly red-graded trails, plus on-site camping.
Postcode: TR2 4EH https://bikeparkkernow.uk
48 BRISTOL
A 15-minute spin from the MBUK office takes you to two blue trails – Nova in Ashton Court and Yer Tiz in Leigh Woods, both good for beginners. There’s a more natural-feeling trail in nearby Fifty Acre Woods, plus some locals-built jumps and DH runs up the road in Ashton Hill Plantation (Belmont).
Postcode: BS8 3PX (Ashton Court) www.ridebristol.org
49 THE BULL TRACK BIKE PARK, EAST SUSSEX
A pay-to-ride venue, the Bull Track has multiple lines renowned for their jumps, ranging from small tabletops to some pretty sizable gaps.
Postcode: TN6 3HF https://thebulltrack.co.uk
NEW! 50 BURLISH BIKE PARK, WORCESTERSHIRE
Run by local charity Open Trail to help develop resilience in young people, this site near Kidderminster has a short family trail, blue, red and black jump lines, and a dual slalom track. Postcode: DY13 8NJ https://burlishbikepark.com
51 CANNOCK CHASE, STAFFORDSHIRE
With a blue trail, new kids’ ‘pedal and play’ track, two red loops and the Stile Cop DH area, Cannock is the busy home of Midlands MTBing.
Postcode: WS15 2UQ www.forestryengland.uk/cannock-chase-forest
52 CARDINHAM WOODS, CORNWALL
Next to Bodmin Moor, this Cornish gem has a 12km singletrack blue trail with technical climbs and two optional red sections.
Postcode: PL30 4AL www.forestryengland.uk/cardinham-woods
53 CHICKSANDS BIKE PARK, BEDFORDSHIRE
Home to a 4X track, dual-slalom course, DH runs, dirt jumps and XC loop, with new stuff appearing all the time.
Postcode: SG17 5QQ www.chicksandsbikepark.co.uk
54 CROFT TRAIL, SWINDON
This 5km blue is ideal for novices but fun when you go fast, too. Wroughton Pump Track is a short drive away.
Postcode: SN3 1TX www.mbswindon.co.uk
55 DARTMOOR BIKE PARK, DEVON
Located within River Dart Country Park in Ashburton, this small bike park has a pump track and four short freeride runs graded from blue to black. Pre-book.
Postcode: TQ13 7NP www.riverdart.co.uk
56 DEERS LEAP PARK, WEST SUSSEX
Near Crawley, this bike shop-owned site is currently closed, but they say it’ll be “reopening bigger and better in 2025”.
Postcode: RH19 4NG https://cycleshack.co.uk/cycleshack-deers-leap
57 EXETER BIKE PARK, DEVON Built by former BMX pro Kye Forte’s Trailscapes, this park has progressive berms, tables and rhythm sections for all abilities, plus dirt jumps that offer serious airtime. Push-up only.
Postcode: EX6 8BB www.exeterbikepark.co.uk
58 FLYUP 417 BIKE PARK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
England’s biggest privately-run bike park has 10km of trails, graded from blue to double-black. The quick uplift gives max runs for your cash, or you can push/ride up. There are pump/4X/dual slalom tracks and dirt jumps to play on, too.
Postcode: GL3 4UF https://417bikepark.co.uk
59 FOREST OF DEAN CYCLE CENTRE, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
A popular and busy spot (and regular destination for the MBUK crew), the FoD is known for its slippery, rooty DH runs (with FlyUp Downhill offering uplift) and two XC routes. There’s also a family trail, a skills area with pump track and some natural-feeling enduro runs.
Postcode: GL16 7EH www.forestryengland.uk/the-forest-of-dean
60 FRISTON FOREST, EAST SUSSEX
There are two routes here – a 6km blue trail, ideal for all the family, and 9km of more challenging, undulating, red-graded singletrack.
Postcode: BN20 0AT www.forestryengland.uk/friston-forest
61 GAWTON GRAVITY HUB, DEVON
Downhill heaven in Devon! Gawton’s main tracks are steep, rocky and unforgiving, and best ridden on a long-travel bike. However, there’s a pump track and some flowing red runs, too.
Postcode: PL19 8JN www.gawtongravityhub.com
62 HADLEIGH PARK, ESSEX
Home to the 2012 Olympics XC track, which has been adapted for public use and split into blue, red and black-graded sections.
Postcode: SS7 2PP www.hadleighparkcycles.co.uk/cycling-in-the-park
63 HALDON FOREST PARK, DEVON
A good family venue with several waymarked trails graded from green to red, a short black section and a pump track.
Postcode: Use ‘Haldon Forest Park’ in sat-navs www.forestryengland.uk/haldon-forest-park
64 ISLE OF WIGHT MTB CENTRE
Open May to August, this venue – run by slopestyle pro Sam Hodgson – has everything from green XC trails to black DH runs.
Postcode: PO30 3JE www.isleofwightmountainbikecentre.com
65 LANHYDROCK, CORNWALL
Down the road from Cardinham, this estate has some short blue trails plus a 500m dual slalom track.
Postcode: PL30 4AB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lanhydrock
66 OKEFORD HILL BIKE PARK, DORSET
A gravity rider’s dream, with eight alpine-style DH trails for intermediate to advanced riders, plus an uplift. Closed through winter.
Postcode: DT11 0EF www.okefordhillbikepark.co.uk
67 OLD HILL BIKE PARK, CORNWALL
Progressive, family-orientated (and owned) park with everything from green runs, suitable for balance bikes, through to blacks.
Postcode: PL30 3EF http://oldhillbikepark.co.uk
68 PARADISE MTB, EASTBOURNE, EAST SUSSEX
Four DH tracks ranging from gentle to very steep, plus various jump lines.
Postcode: BN20 7TE www.facebook.com/ParadiseMTB
69 PHOENIX CYCLEWORKS, SUFFOLK Everything you need to progress your jumping skills, from a beginner pump track to pro-size senders.
Postcode: CB8 7PZ www.phoenixcycleworks.co.uk
70 QUEEN ELIZABETH COUNTRY PARK, HAMPSHIRE
Set in the South Downs, this popular venue has a family-friendly blue trail – with a 300m ‘Lite Blue’ beginner section added in 2023 – plus a more exciting red loop.
Postcode: PO8 0QE www.hants.gov.uk/qecp
71 RENDLESHAM FOREST, SUFFOLK
A woodland venue that’s ideal for families and beginners, with two non-technical fireroad trails through the trees.
Postcode: IP12 3NF www.forestryengland.uk/rendlesham-forest
72 ROGATE DOWNHILL B1KEPARK, HAMPSHIRE
Bernard Kerr and Brendan Fairclough are just two of the big names who ride here. Graded from blue to black, the top trails are steeper and more technical, while the lower ones have more flow, berms and bigger jumps. You need to be a member to ride at B1KE sites (from £12.50 for a day pass).
Postcode: GU31 5DL www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/rogate
73 RUSHMERE COUNTRY PARK, BEDFORDSHIRE
Near Leighton Buzzard, this country park has a DH zone and 6km XC loop (paid entry), plus a free pump track and new blue trail.
Postcode: LU7 0EB www.greensandtrust.org/cycling
74 S4P B1KEPARK, MILFORD, SURREY
This progressive dirt jump park is a hangout of pro riders. It’s B1KE’s only free-to-ride venue.
Postcode: GU8 5BJ www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/s4p-milford
75 SCADSON FREERIDE PARK, DEVON
A small hill in Torbay that’s jam-packed with corners, drops and jumps.
Postcode: TQ3 1RW https://scadsonfreeride.com
76 SHERWOOD PINES, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
Not to be confused with Sherwood Forest. Home to two XC loops plus over 45km of unmarked trails, a skills area and DH zone.
Postcode: NG21 9JL www.forestryengland.uk/sherwood-pines
77 SKILLZ BIKE PARK, SUFFFOLK
Billed as a beginner-friendly “skateboard park for bikes”, the idea here is that you can drop in and link the (rollable) features however you wish.
Postcode: NR32 5LE www.skillzbikepark.co.uk
78 SOUTHAMPTON BIKE PARK, HAMPSHIRE
Back open after a huge transformation, this urban venue has seven short but action-packed runs full of flow, including an all-weather dual slalom track and a new black jump line. There’s a pump track nearby, too.
Postcode: SO16 5DA www.southamptonbikepark.com
79 SURREY HILLS, SURREY
A honeypot for London-based MTBers, there’s a massive network of trails here, spread across Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill and Winterfold. With only nine official tracks, varying access rights and just one waymarked route, we’d recommend enlisting local help to find the best riding.
Postcode: GU5 9QW. www.surreyhillsmountainbiking.co.uk
80 SWINLEY FOREST, SURREY/BERKSHIRE This long-established trail centre near London has green, blue and red XC routes, totalling over 24km. There’s also The Summit coaching zone, which has a triple jump line of tables and gaps up to 18ft. To ride in this area, you need to be a member or book a skills session. For gravity action, head over to Clubhouse Hill.
Postcode: RG12 7QW www.swinleybikehub.com
81 THE TRACK, CORNWALL
Jump park with everything from tiny rollers up to massive steep-lipped doubles, plus a foam pit.
Postcode: TR16 4HN www.the-track.co.uk
82 THETFORD FOREST, NORFOLK
Thetford has hundreds of miles of unmarked singletrack, plus official red, blue and green trails, and a pump track.
Postcode: IP27 0AF www.forestryengland.uk/high-lodge
83 TIDWORTH FREERIDE B1KEPARK, WILTSHIRE
Eight tracks, graded from blue to black, and ranging from techy and rooty to fast, flowing and jumpy. You need to be a member to ride at B1KE sites (from £12.50 for a day pass).
Postcode: SP9 7TE www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/tidworth-freeride
84 TUNSTALL FOREST, SUFFFOLK
The 16km Viking trail is mostly fast, flowing singletrack, with optional red-graded features.
Postcode: IP12 2HQ www.forestryengland.uk/tunstall-forest
85 TWISTED OAKS BIKE PARK, SUFFOLK
See ‘Spotlight on… below.
86 WIND HILL B1KEPARK, WILTSHIRE
Run by the folk behind Rogate, S4P and Tidworth, and located next to Longleat safari park, Wind Hill has a few natural-feeling descents, but it’s the multiple trails packed with perfectly-sculpted jumps that have put it on the map. You need to be a member to ride at B1KE sites (from £12.50 for a day pass).
Postcode: BA12 7NW www.b1ke.com/b1keparks/windhill
87 WOBURN SANDS, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE
The XC, DH and jump trails in Apsley Woods are now open again. Pass-holders only.
Postcode: IP10 0AZ www.facebook.com/woburnbiketrails
88 WOODY’S BIKE PARK, CORNWALL
The rolling hills of this farm have been transformed into a full-on MTB playground, with nine varied runs.
Postcode: PL23 1JU www.woodysbikepark.com
SPOTLIGHT ON
Twisted Oaks Bike Park
East Anglia isn’t known for its epic elevation, but the rolling hills of Brightwell in Suffolk have been put to good use here. Opened in 2020, Twisted Oaks boasts a huge network of jump lines and trails, packed into 58 acres of rolling woodland and meadows. There’s something for everyone, from XC to tech, including many challenging trails. The park aims to provide a progressive environment for riders of all levels to learn and improve, and a place for locals to make the most of the limited elevation on offer. Even if you’re not a local, it’s well worth travelling to. There are blue, red and black trails, a dual slalom course and 4X track, plus skills and jump training areas, with more trails being added all the time.
TOP TRAILS
Bluegrass
This ‘blue-plus’ trail has a big wooden bridge over a gap halfway down, which is a lot of fun to ride.
Red XC trail
A 3.8-mile loop, soon to be extended to 5.5 miles.
Skinny Tim-Buh
Elevated wooden North Shore-style sections, with a couple of extremely skinny options.
Slopestyle line
Developed by former FMB freeride world champ turned YouTube favourite Sam Pilgrim, who has a big involvement with the bike park. Features big drops and jumps – not for the faint-hearted!
Monty’s
Another massive new jump line for those accustomed to serious airtime.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
GETTING THERE
By car: Twisted Oaks is less than two miles from the A14, between Ipswich and Felixstowe.
Postcode: IP10 0AZ
By train: Nearest stations are Trimley (five miles), Woodleigh (five miles) and Ipswich (seven miles)
FACILITIES
Bike shop with hire, cafe (open Friday to Sunday), glamping (May to October), camping.
NEARBY BIKE SHOPS
Dialled Cycle Works (on-site) https://dialledcycleworks.co.uk
Cycle Revolution, Ipswich www.cycle-revolution.net
Elmy Cycles, Ipswich www.elmycycles.co.uk
MORE INFORMATION
WALES
89 AFAN FOREST PARK, NEATH PORT TALBOT
The biggest trail centre in South Wales, with 130km+ of well-maintained routes.There are two main trailheads – Afan Forest Visitor Centre and Glyncorrwg Ponds Mountain Bike Centre – plus a small bike park.
Postcodes: Afan Forest SA13 3HG, Glyncorrwg SA13 3EA, Afan Bike Park SA12 9SP www.mbwales.com
90 ANTUR STINIOG, ERYRI
This downhill venue built in an old slate quarry offers a good mix of flow and tech for all abilities, with 15-plus runs graded from green to double-black.
Postcode: LL41 3NB www.anturstiniog.com
91 BERWYN BIKE PARK, LLANARMON, WREXHAM
A small gravity-based venue with uplift in the Berwyn Mountains. Not open all year round.
Postcode: LL20 7LH www.facebook.com/Berwynbikepk
92 BIKEPARK WALES MERTHYR TYDFIL
See ‘Spotlight on…’, below.
93 BRECHFA FOREST, CARMARTHENSHIRE
Green to black-graded XC trails through a beautiful forest, mostly on natural-feeling singletrack. The blue and black routes start at the Byrgwm car park, the red three miles up the road in Abergorlech. Postcode: Use ‘Brechfa’ in sat-navs www.mbwales.com
94 BWLCH NANT YR ARIAN, NEAR ABERYSTWYTH, CEREDIGION
A natural-feeling MTB base renowned for its fantastic singletrack, with everything from a green trail through to a remote 35km black loop.
Postcode: SY23 3AB www.mbwales.com
95 CAERSWS DH, POWYS
One of the UK’s most popular DH race venues, Caersws is privately owned, so you’ll need to book onto an uplift day or a training session with pro downhiller Matt Simmonds to ride here.
Postcode: SY17 5JE www.facebook.com/Caerswsbikepark www.prolinemtbcoaching.com
96 COED Y BRENIN, DOLGELLAU, ERYRI
The UK’s original trail centre, Coed y Brenin is still one of the best. With Eryri National Park (formerly Snowdonia) as a backdrop, it has a great selection of all-weather singletrack, with some famous features to test your skills. Six of the eight trails are graded red or black, so there’s plenty of tech for experienced riders to enjoy along with the superb scenery.
Postcode: LL40 2HZ www.mbwales.com www.naturalresources.wales/days-out
97 COED LLANDEGLA, DENBIGHSHIRE
From a mellow green right up to some natural-feeling new black sections, the OnePlanet Adventure centre has fast and flowing trails, plus a skills and freeride area.
Postcode: LL11 3AA www.oneplanetadventure.com
98 CWMCARN, CAERPHILLY
Cwmcarn has two DH tracks (sadly, the uplift service has ceased operating), as well as two challenging red XC loops and a short blue trail. There are also some great semi-official runs in the neighbouring Risca Bike Park.
Postcode: NP11 7FA www.mbwales.com
99 CWM RHAEADR, CARMARTHENSHIRE
A (well) hidden gem, tucked away in remote woodland. There’s just one, red-graded, 6.5km loop here, but it’s worth the trip for its fantastic 4km descent.
Postcode: SA20 0TL www.mbwales.com
100 DARE VALLEY GRAVITY BIKE PARK, RHONDDA CYNON TAF
This family-friendly bike park in the South Wales Valleys offers youngsters and beginners a chance to enjoy uplifted mountain biking on a budget. Set in the 600-acre Dare Valley Country Park, it also has miles of blue-graded XC trails, plus pump tracks and balance-bike areas.
Postcode: CF44 8BF https://darevalleygravity.co.uk
101 DIRT FARM, ABERGAVENNY
Formerly known as Black Mountains Cycle Centre, there are few better places in Wales for getting airtime than Dirt Farm. It has 16 runs, graded from intermediate (mostly rollable) to pro. Enjoy the Brecon Beacons scenery from the tractor uplift.
Postcode: NP7 7PE https://dirtfarm.wales
102 DYFI BIKE PARK, NEAR MACHYNLLETH, POWYS
Dan Atherton’s bike park now has eight black-orabove DH runs and three reds, ranging from the double-black-diamond Oakley Icon Way to Lovey Dyfi, a 4.4km flow trail. There’s a network of great backcountry trails here, too.
Postcode: SY20 9AS www.dyfibikepark.co.uk
103 FOEL GASNACH DH PARK, DENBIGHSHIRE
Foel has four DH tracks plus an uplift service.
Postcode: LL15 2DR www.fdhr.co.uk
104 GWYDIR FOREST, ERYRI
This forest is home to two trailheads, 20 minutes apart. Between them, Penmachno and Gwydir Mawr at Betws-y-Coed offer 55km of mostly singletrack riding.
Postcode: Penmachno LL24 0YP, Gwydir Mawr LL26 0PN www.mbwales.com
NEW! 105 HAFOD TRAILS, CARMARTHENSHIRE
A new uplift venue nestled on the edge of Brechfa Forest with a selection of trails graded from green to black. Suitable for families as well as established riders, with a natural, off-piste feel. Jump lines and a skills area due to open this summer.
Postcode: SA19 7PH www.hafodtrails.co.uk
106 LLYS-Y-FRAN, PEMBROKESHIRE
This new cycling hub has a selection of blue and red-graded runs plus family cycle trails, totalling 14km+.
Postcode: SA63 4RR https://llys-y-fran.co.uk
107 MACHYNLLETH, POWYS
The Mach 1, 2 and 3 XC trails will get you out into the hills, ranging from 15-30km. Up the road in Dyfi Forest is the 15km red/black Climach-X with its fun final descent.
Postcode: SY20 8EB www.mbwales.com https://beiciomynydd dyfi.org.uk
108 MARGAM COUNTRY PARK NEATH PORT TALBOT
Just off the M4, Margam has a short blue trail and a 5km red/black loop with punchy ups, tech sections and flowing descents.
Postcode: SA13 2TJ www.margamcountrypark.co.uk
109 MOUNTAIN VIEW BIKE PARK, CAERPHILLY
A growing venue a short drive north of Cardiff with pump tracks, jump lines, woodland trails, a blue/ green loop, a cafe and a bike shop. Day pass required.
Postcode: CF83 1NG www.mountainviewbikepark.co.uk
110 ONE GIANT LEAP, LLANGOLLEN, DENBIGHSHIRE
A venue for national DH races, but also suitable for novices. Members-only, but inexpensive, and you can shuttle yourselves outside of uplift days.
Postcode: LL20 8AR www.onegiantleapllangollen.co.uk
111 VAN ROAD TRAILS, CAERPHILLY
Free-to-ride spot with dirt jumps, a dual slalom course and a pump track. Known for its friendly locals, evening mates’ races and barbecues.
Postcode: CF83 3DB www.mbwales.com
SPOTLIGHT ON
BikePark Wales
The UK’s first large-scale bike park, BPW is a huge success thanks to its fantastic range of constantly-maintained descents. It has an ever-growing network of downhill runs – 46 and counting! – that you don’t need a DH bike to enjoy, from green family trails to purple pro lines. Classified as Flow, Tech or Blend (a mix of both), you can link them up in various combos. Buy an uplift pass to get in maximum runs, or get your legs moving up the singletrack climb. The A470 jump line has now reopened – and just in time for summer, too!
TOP TRAILS
Kermit
5km This full-length green descent is smooth and flowing, making it great for novices, but it still gives you a proper run down the hill.
Methyr Rock
0.9km BPW’s most technical blue has a rock-studded surface and lots of berms
Roller Disco
0.33km Test your pumping skills on this short-but-sweet blue flow trail, then continue on down Blue Belle.
A470 Line
0.9km Extended for summer 2024, Wales’s answer to Whistler Bike Park’s infamous A-Line jump trail has a new wooden start drop, eight more senders and some of the most perfect- looking berms in the park. One for the air merchants!
AC/DC
1.2km This has a bit of everything – jumps, berms and flow at the top, followed by rocks, tight and techy woods, and then some more airtime!
Root Manoeuvres
2.5km Atrail that always has us questioning how it’s only a red, Root gets a lot trickier in the wet or when it’s a bit blown-out. That just adds to the fun, though!
Boomslang
0.4km The park’s newest trail is a black run with epic berms, a lily pad jump and – if you time it right –maybe even some brown pow (loam).
Vanta
0.7km Designed by DH World Cup star Laurie Greenland, this pro line is home to the jump jam of the same name.
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
GETTING THERE
Just outside Merthyr Tydfil, BPW isn’t far from the M4.
Postcode: CF48 4TT
FACILITIES
Bike hire, bike shop, cafe, bike wash, uplift, coaching, parking, showers, toilets.
NEARBY BIKE SHOP
BikePark Wales Bike Shop (on site), 01685 709450
MORE INFO
NORTHERN IRELAND
112 BARNETT DEMESNE, BELFAST
Located within spitting distance of the capital, Barnett Demesne has a 3.9km blue route with some red options, plus a jump park.
Postcode: BT9 5PR https://mountainbikeni.com
113 BLESSINGBOURNE, COUNTY TYRONE
In the grounds of this stately home is an 8km red trail with a mix of flowy and more technical sections, a 4km blue route and a pump track.
Postcode: BT75 0QS https://mountainbikeni.com
114 CASTLE WARD, COUNTY DOWN
More riding within a beautiful historic setting. Owned by the National Trust, so there’s an entrance fee. Try not to get distracted by the views on the family-friendly blue and green loops.
Postcode: BT30 7BA https://mountainbikeni.com
115 CASTLEWELLAN, COUNTY DOWN
An hour south of Belfast, Castlewellan has a gentle green, flowing blue, exciting red and 4.5km of new black trail, plus a pump track.
Postcode: BT31 9BU https://mountainbikeni.com
116 DAVAGH FOREST, COUNTY TYRONE
Situated in the Sperrin Mountains, this is one of Northern Ireland’s best manmade riding spots. There’s a gentle green trail, a twisty blue and a rocky red, along with a skills area and pump track.
Postcode: BT79 8JH https://mountainbikeni.com
117 GORTIN GLEN FOREST PARK, COUNTY TYRONE
The hilly character of NI’s newest trail centre means you have to earn your turns – along with some epic views. Gortin Glen has both a blue loop and a red trail, each about 7km long.
Postcode: BT79 7SU https://mountainbikeni.com
118 ROSTREVOR, COUNTY DOWN
The Emerald Isle’s first official downhill runs were built here a decade ago. Ever since, Rostrevor Forest Park has been known for its exhilarating descents and coastal views. It also has two quite long XC trails. Not suitable for novices.
Postcode: BT34 3AA https://mountainbikeni.com
119 TOLLYMORE, COUNTY DOWN
Tollymore is home to a 1.5km singletrack skills area with small drops, log rides, jumps and other features. Plus, if you scout around the surrounding woods you’ll find plenty of locals-dug lines.
Postcode: BT33 0PR https://mountainbikeni.com
ISLE OF MAN
120 ARCHALLAGAN FOREST
This forest has blue-graded singletrack, a green beginner loop and miles of unsurfaced trails to explore.
Postcode: IM4 3ET www.visitisleofman.com
121 CONRHENNY COMMUNITY WOODLAND
The venue for the annual Longest Day Longest Ride 24-hour event, Conrhenny has 10 short blue trails, with boardwalk sections.
Postcode: IM4 6AX www.visitisleofman.com
122 SOUTH BARRULE FOREST PARK
At the foot of the highest hill in the south of the island lies this forest, which contains two waymarked MTB loops – the 1km Blue Kipper Trail and 5km Red Viking Trail. Both feature flowing berms, boardwalk sections, small drops and rocks, with the former being much flatter.
Postcode: N/A, but signposted from the A36 near Foxdale. www.visitisleofman.com