The best MTB trails in South West England

The Blue Verderers trail in the Forest of Dean offers an exciting mountain biking experience, perfect for intermediate riders or those looking to build confidence. This blue-graded route spans 6.8 miles (11.0 km) with a manageable 548 feet (167 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 1 hour and 1 minute to complete. You will navigate through attractive woodland scenery on a mix of hard-packed surfaces and singletrack, enjoying sweeping berms, rollers, and tighter corners that encourage a fun, flowing ride, culminating in the thrilling "Dragon's Tail" descent.

To start your adventure, head to the Cannop Cycle Centre, which serves as the trailhead for the Blue Verderers trail. This well-equipped center provides a wide range of amenities to enhance your visit, including a café for refreshments, a bike shop for any gear needs, and cycle hire services if you do not bring your own. It is a convenient hub, making planning your mountain biking day straightforward and enjoyable.

Recognized as one of the most famous trails at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, the Blue Verderers trail was even voted the "Best Blue Trail in England" by Mountain Biking UK in 2021. Its flowy and engaging design makes it a favorite for both beginners and more experienced riders seeking a fun blast through the woods. For those wanting to extend their ride, there is also the option to connect to the "Countdown to Launchpad" blue downhill trail, adding another layer of excitement to your day.

Embark on an easy mountain biking adventure through the scenic Forest of Dean. This well-surfaced, mostly flat circular route spans 10.9 miles (17.5 km), offering beautiful and varied scenery as you cycle. You'll gain a gentle 527 feet (161 metres) in elevation, with the entire journey taking approximately 1 hour and 18 minutes. Keep an eye out for picturesque spots like Cannop Ponds and the tranquil Mallards Pike Lake, where you can even find a café for a refreshing stop. The trail provides a delightful experience for families and those new to mountain biking, allowing you to immerse yourself in the forest's natural beauty.

The most convenient place to begin your ride on the Family Cycle Trail is the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre at Cannop. This popular starting point offers essential amenities such as bike hire, clean toilets, a café for refreshments, and ample parking facilities. The route is well-maintained and suitable for year-round riding, making it an accessible option whenever you choose to visit. Its easy difficulty grade ensures a relaxed pace, perfect for a leisurely outing with loved ones.

Beyond the natural beauty, the trail also offers glimpses into the area's rich industrial heritage. As you follow old railway lines, you'll discover remnants of disused stations and colliery sites, telling tales of the Forest of Dean's mining past. Look out for unique artistic installations like the White Gates Sculpture Installation and sections of the wider Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail along your journey. This blend of nature and history makes the route a distinctive experience within the region.

Embark on the Granite & Gears: Princetown and Burrator Loop for a moderate mountain biking adventure through Dartmoor National Park. This route spans 14.4 miles (23.1 km) and involves a total ascent of 973 feet (296 metres), offering a diverse journey from rugged granite terrain near Princetown to the serene waters of Burrator Reservoir. You can expect to complete this loop in approximately 1 hour and 59 minutes, experiencing wide-open moorland vistas and a true sense of wilderness as you ride.

When planning your visit, remember that Dartmoor's weather can shift rapidly, so prepare for changeable conditions on this exposed trail. Princetown is a convenient starting point, providing amenities like parking, cafes, and pubs for your convenience. While generally accessible, be aware that some sections of the trail feature rubbly tracks and challenging granite boulders, especially on descents, which will test your mountain biking skills.

This trail offers more than just a ride; it's a journey through history and striking natural beauty. You will pass by significant landmarks such as the tranquil Burrator Reservoir and its impressive dam, providing a stark contrast to the open moorland. Keep an eye out for historical sites like the disused Eylesbarrow tin mine and the prominent South Hessary Tor, which add a rich layer of context to your mountain biking experience in this unique part of Dartmoor.

Explore the challenging Ashton Court & Leigh Woods trails, a difficult mountain biking route spanning 11.2 miles (18.0 km) with 694 feet (211 metres) of elevation gain, typically completed in 1 hour and 21 minutes. You'll navigate a mix of flowing singletrack, twists, turns, and drops, with sections featuring berms, rollers, and small jumps. The route winds through dense woodland, offering picturesque views overlooking the Avon Gorge and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge, especially stunning in autumn. Expect varied surfaces, including stone-based, all-weather trails designed to shed mud, making them rideable year-round.

These trails are conveniently located just outside Bristol, making them easily accessible for a quick escape and reachable via the National Cycle Network. Ashton Court provides excellent amenities, including cafes, toilets, bike wash facilities, bike hire, and coaching services, ensuring you have everything you need for your ride. The purpose-built nature of the trails means they are well-maintained and can be enjoyed in various conditions, allowing for year-round mountain biking adventures.

The Ashton Court and Leigh Woods networks are notable for their variety and progression, offering both blue-graded main trails and optional red-graded sections like Ashton Court's Supernova Trail and Leigh Woods' Gert Lush section. This setup allows riders of all abilities to find enjoyment and develop their skills, with dedicated skills areas and jump lines. The trails are actively managed and maintained by local groups such as the Bristol Trails Group and Ride Bristol, reflecting a strong community commitment to enhancing the riding experience, including a recent revamp of the Yer Tiz trail for improved flow and accessibility.

Embark on a diverse mountain biking adventure through the Quantock Hills, starting from Lydeard Hill car park. This moderate 21.3-mile (34.3 km) loop features varied terrain, from ancient parkland and heathland to oak woodlands, with sections of chunky ground, rock gardens, and stream crossings. You will also find fast, swoopy singletrack that riders love, all while gaining 2570 feet (783 metres) of elevation over approximately 3 hours and 24 minutes.

When planning your ride, remember that this route is generally considered moderate, requiring good fitness and some advanced riding skills due to its technical features and length. The Lydeard Hill car park serves as a convenient starting point for this popular loop. Be prepared for diverse surfaces and potentially uneven ground as you navigate the natural landscape of the Quantock Hills.

The Quantock Hills are renowned for their exceptional mountain biking, often compared favorably to destinations like the Lake District. This loop is the most popular mountain bike trail in the Bishop's Lydeard area, offering extensive panoramic views across the Quantock Hills, the Vale of Taunton, and even as far as Devon. You might spot wild horses, sheep, and Highland cows grazing, adding to the immersive natural experience within this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Get ready for a dynamic mountain biking experience on the Freeminers Trail, a moderate route spanning 7.2 miles (11.6 km) with 580 feet (177 metres) of elevation gain. You can expect to complete this ride in about 1 hour and 3 minutes. The trail winds through beautiful woodland, offering a mix of natural and man-made features that keep things interesting. You'll encounter challenging singletrack, including tricky switchback climbs, rooty drops, and tight descents. A highlight is the thrilling 'Boneyard descent,' a red-graded section known for its flowy corners and faster berms.

The Freeminers Trail is conveniently located in the Forest of Dean, close to Gloucester, making it easily accessible for a day trip. A great starting point with amenities is the Pedalabikeaway Café & Bike Shop, where you can prepare for your ride. Be aware that natural roots on the trail can become particularly slippery when wet, so plan your visit accordingly to ensure a safer ride. However, the ground generally maintains good grip even in damp conditions, offering some resilience to varied weather.

This route is particularly popular among proficient mountain bikers who appreciate its natural feel and varied features. It stands out in the Forest of Dean for its demanding sections, including navigating through trees on uneven ground and tackling hairpin bends. The trail's design ensures constant focus is required, making it a rewarding challenge for those looking to push their skills. It's a prime example of the diverse and engaging mountain biking opportunities available in the region.

Embark on a moderate mountain biking adventure through the picturesque Quantock Hills National Landscape. This route, starting from Crowcombe Park Gate car park, spans 18.3 miles (29.5 km) and involves a significant elevation gain of 2296 feet (700 metres). You can expect varied terrain, including extensive singletrack, and panoramic views from spots like Somerton Combe, offering sights towards Exmoor and the Bristol Channel. Fast, flowing descents such as Lady's Edge wind through bushes and bracken, making for an engaging ride that typically takes around 2 hours and 59 minutes to complete.

Planning your visit requires good fitness and advanced riding skills, as some sections present challenging ascents or technical features that might require you to push your bike. The trails are often rough and undulating, so be prepared for a demanding experience. Crowcombe Park Gate car park provides a convenient starting point for this loop, ensuring easy access to the trail.

The Quantock Hills are renowned for their diverse terrain and stunning vistas, making this loop a notable experience in the region. As you navigate the challenging ups and downs, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including red deer, which are often spotted in this natural environment. The route offers a deep dive into the unique landscape and ecosystem of the Quantock Hills.

Get ready for a dynamic mountain biking experience on the Blue Nova & Supernova trails in Leigh Woods, near Bristol. This combined route covers 5.3 miles (8.5 km) with 322 feet (98 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 41 minutes to complete. You will ride through dense deciduous and coniferous forests, with some sections offering views overlooking the Avon Gorge and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. The overall difficulty is rated as difficult, reflecting the varied challenges you will encounter.

When planning your ride, remember that the Blue Nova component is a blue-graded trail, offering flowing sections with twists, turns, drops, small rock steps, rollers, and banked corners, perfect for building confidence. However, the Supernova trail is an optional, red-graded section designed for proficient mountain bikers. This 0.5-mile (860-meter) stretch features a pump/jump feel with a rocky descent, including technical elements like doubles, step-ups, rock gardens, and multiple berms. Be prepared for a very rough and technical downhill singletrack on Supernova.

These trails are highly regarded within the mountain biking community for their unique combination of flow and technical challenge. The Blue Nova provides an excellent experience for a range of riders, while the Supernova offers a significantly more demanding test of skill. Part of a larger network managed by the Bristol Trails Group and the Forestry Commission, these purpose-built trails showcase the protected woodland environment of Leigh Woods National Nature Reserve, making for a memorable ride.

The Haldon Forest loop of the ridge offers a red-graded mountain biking experience, perfect for proficient riders seeking a technical, fast, and flowing adventure. This 5.2-mile (8.4 km) route, with 349 feet (106 metres) of elevation gain, typically takes around 44 minutes to complete. You'll navigate predominantly singletrack with tight corners, lively descents, and undulating sections that snake through the forest, providing picturesque views of the surrounding woodlands and magnificent vistas of Exeter and the Devonshire countryside from the ridge.

This trail is well-maintained and rideable year-round, thanks to its rocky, flint base, though you might encounter puddles after heavy rain. It features a mix of hardpack and looser gravel, with natural elements like tree roots, ditches, bridges, and boardwalks adding to the dynamic ride. A new 700-meter red section was added in December 2023 to enhance the experience and improve safety, ensuring a fresh challenge for returning riders.

While officially rated as moderate and red-graded, some sections, particularly in the latter half, might feel more like a harder blue or pink grade. The route is part of the larger network at Haldon Forest Park, which also includes easier green and blue trails, a skills area, and a pump track. For an even greater test, you can access the black-graded "Ridge Ride Extreme" from this loop, featuring demanding rocks, berms, drops, and step-downs.