5.0
(4)
29
riders
5
rides
Mountain biking in Laughton Forest offers an extensive network of paths and tracks through ancient woodland. The terrain features generally flat paths, with remnants of historical sand dunes and some boggy wetlands, providing varied landscapes for exploration. This area is characterized by diverse habitats, supporting a range of plants, animals, and birds within its lush canopy of oak, ash, beech, and birch trees. The existing network of forest paths and tracks provides opportunities for mountain biking, often on mixed surfaces.
Last updated: June 26, 2026
2
riders
28.6km
01:35
60m
60m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
2
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

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5.0
(3)
6
riders
14.3km
00:50
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
1
riders
30.2km
01:37
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
3
riders
37.2km
02:05
110m
110m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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Lovely woodland, popular with dog walkers. 2 mile and 1 mile loops. Relatively well drained and rarely gets too boggy Hard surfaced car park.
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Gainsborough Old Hall in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire is over five hundred years old and one of the best preserved medieval manor houses in England. The hall was built by Sir Thomas Burgh in 1460. The Burghs were rich, flamboyant and powerful. Gainsborough Old Hall was not only their home, but also a demonstration of their wealth and importance. Burgh was a benefactor to Newark Church and also the founder of the Chantry and Alms House at Gainsborough. In 1470, the manor was attacked by Sir Robert Welles over a clash about lands, status, and honour, but it was not severely damaged. In 1484 Thomas entertained King Richard III in his hall. Henry VIII visited Gainsborough twice: once in 1509, and again in 1541 with his fifth wife, Queen Catherine Howard. The Queen was accused of indiscretions both at Gainsborough and Lincoln, and she was later executed.
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A Georgian style church with medieval tower and a magnificent interior, the altar piece is a copy of the Da Vinci painting of the Last Supper. The first reference to a church in Gainsborough was in 1180 when it was given by Roger de Talbot, Lord of the Manor of Gainsborough to the Knights Templar of Willoughton. However, by 1730 this church was considered 'too dark and mean and incommodious' to suit the town's growing population and the decision was made to build a new church. Only the 15th century tower remains from the original medieval church.
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Owlet Wood car park - maintained by woodland trust. Nice small woodland area, doesn’t get too busy really boggy in areas however this can be avoided, most of the paths are clean and would be suitable for buggies etc.
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Small shop but has everything you could want. £1 card limit is a godsend when you forget to buy water. Believe there is an instant coffee machine if you need a warm up but plenty of sugar on sale!
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Laughton Forest is a site which was created to meet the demand to restock a depleted timber supply after the First World War. It was planted in the late 1920s, and continues to be managed by the Forestry Commission today. Before this time, the area was mainly open heathland with ponds, small woodlands and shifting sand dunes.The forest still supports a wide range of these habitats, which include many locally and nationally rare plants, animals and birds, including nightjars. The only area where access is permitted is in Tuetoes Wood.
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Laughton Forest offers mountain biking primarily on an extensive network of forest paths and tracks. The terrain generally features flat paths, with some remnants of historical sand dunes and occasional boggy wetlands, providing varied landscapes. While not purpose-built technical trails, the routes offer a mix of surfaces suitable for easy to moderate ability levels.
While most routes in Laughton Forest are considered easy, there is one moderate option available. The Gainsborough Old Hall – Laughton Forest loop from Gainsborough Central is a 23.0-mile (37.1 km) trail that offers a longer ride and is rated as moderate, providing a bit more challenge compared to the other easy routes.
Yes, many of the trails in Laughton Forest are suitable for families, particularly those looking for easy rides. The forest's generally flat paths and varied landscapes make it a pleasant environment for cycling with different skill levels. Routes like the View of the Lincolnshire Wolds – Laughton Forest loop from East Ferry CP, at 5.5 miles (8.9 km), are shorter and ideal for a family outing.
Yes, dogs are welcome on the trails throughout Laughton Forest. It's a great place to explore with your canine companion, enjoying the woodland environment together. Please ensure dogs are kept under control, especially around wildlife.
Laughton Forest is an ancient woodland with diverse habitats. You can expect to see a lush canopy of oak, ash, beech, and birch trees. The forest is home to various wildlife, including deer, foxes, badgers, and numerous bird species like woodpeckers, owls, and nightjars. The terrain also features historical sand dunes and some boggy wetlands, adding to the natural variety.
Yes, several routes in Laughton Forest are circular, allowing you to start and end at the same point. For example, the Laughton Forest – Laughton Forest loop from Laughton CP is a 17.7-mile (28.6 km) circular trail that takes you through the heart of the ancient woodland.
The mountain bike routes in Laughton Forest are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars. Users often appreciate the peaceful woodland setting and the opportunity to explore varied forest paths.
Yes, some routes extend beyond the core forest area, offering varied scenery. The Althorpe Bridge – River Trent Riverside Path loop from Bottesford, for instance, includes sections along the River Trent Riverside Path, connecting the forest experience with riverside views.
While specific parking details for all routes vary, many trails, such as the Laughton Forest – Laughton Forest loop from Laughton CP, indicate starting points from designated car parks (CP), suggesting parking facilities are available at common access points.
The longest easy mountain bike trail available is the Althorpe Bridge – River Trent Riverside Path loop from Bottesford, which covers 18.8 miles (30.2 km) and is rated as easy. It offers a substantial ride without the moderate difficulty of other longer routes.
While Laughton Forest itself is a natural woodland, the region research suggests that cycling routes often connect to nearby villages. This implies that amenities like cafes or pubs could be found in these surrounding areas, though not directly within the forest trails.


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