Mountain Biking in England: Trail Directory and Guide

England offers a diverse landscape for mountain biking, ranging from the rugged, high-altitude terrain of the Lake District to the established, flowing trail networks of the northern forests. While often characterized by its natural bridleway riding, England is home to several world-class, purpose-built trail centres that cater to all abilities, from families to expert gravity riders.

Key Trail Centres and Regions

The Lake District (Cumbria)

The Lake District is a primary hub for mountain biking in England, known for its dramatic scenery and challenging verticality.

• Whinlatter Forest: Recognized as England’s only true mountain forest. It features the Altura Trail, a red-graded loop with technical black options and significant climbs, alongside the more accessible blue-graded Quercus Trail.
• Grizedale Forest: Located in the southern Lakes, it is renowned for the North Face Trail, which provides high-quality singletrack through diverse woodland.

North West and Yorkshire

The north of England hosts some of the most popular and well-maintained trail networks in the country.

• Gisburn Forest: Located in the Ribble Valley, Gisburn offers a variety of routes including technical singletrack and a dedicated skills area.
• Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire): Featuring a wide range of trails from family-friendly loops to the challenging World Cup cycle track.
• Lee Quarry (Lancashire): Known for its rugged, technical features and red-graded cycle trails.

Midlands and the South

Stretching from the heart of England to the southern coast, these regions provide accessible and diverse riding options.

• Forest of Dean (Gloucestershire): Famous for the Verderers’ Trail, which offers a great flowy experience for intermediate riders.
• Swinley Forest (Berkshire): Popular for its flowy, well-surfaced trails that are rideable year-round.
• Cannock Chase (Staffordshire): Known for the ‘Follow the Dog’ and ‘Monkey’ trails, providing technical singletrack in the Midlands.
• Haldon Forest (Devon): Featuring well-maintained trails suitable for a range of abilities in the South West.
• Sherwood Pines (Nottinghamshire): Offering a variety of cycle trails through forest tracks, including a technical bike park.
• Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Hampshire): Featuring a variety of trails including mountain bike singletrack.

North East

• Hamsterley Forest (County Durham): Offering extensive cross-country and downhill trails for all levels.

Summary of Premier Centres

For those looking to explore beyond waymarked centres, the Lake District also offers extensive natural bridleway routes, such as the Old Coach Road, providing a more rugged and traditional mountain biking experience.

Trail Grading System

To ensure safety and progression, English trail centres utilize a standard grading system similar to those found in Wales:

• Green (Easy): Suitable for beginners and families; mostly level, wide tracks.
• Blue (Moderate): For intermediate riders; includes basic singletrack and small obstacles.
• Red (Difficult): For proficient mountain bikers; features technical climbs, descents, and unavoidable obstacles.
• Black (Severe): For expert riders only; includes large drops, jumps, and highly technical terrain.

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Where to go Mountain Biking in England: Trail Directory and Guide

You can see the main areas and region in this country below. Clicking through wil take you to the region page where you can see further details on the mountain bike routes and centres in that region.

Mountain Biking in England: Trail Directory and Guide – All the Trails

You can filter all our trails by Mountain Bike Centre by using the drop down below. Note that a few MTB centres such as bike parks will not have trails and wil not appear as an option below.