The best MTB trails around Breedon On The Hill

There are over 60 mountain bike trails around Breedon On The Hill, offering a diverse range of experiences. These include 37 easy routes and 28 moderate routes, ensuring options for various skill levels.

The terrain around Breedon On The Hill is quite varied. You'll encounter the prominent Carboniferous limestone hill, offering ascents and panoramic views. The surrounding area features limestone grassland, ancient woodlands like Breedon Cloud Wood, and gently rolling farmland. Many routes also utilize the hard-surfaced Cloud Trail, a disused railway line that provides a relatively flat and picturesque ride.

Yes, there are several family-friendly options. The Calke Abbey – Gravel Path in Calke Park loop from Ticknall CP is an easy 9.4 km route, perfect for a leisurely ride. Additionally, the Cloud Trail, being a disused railway line, offers many accessible, relatively flat sections suitable for families, such as the Cloud Trail – Swarkestone Lock loop from North West Leicestershire.

The most striking viewpoints are often found by ascending Breedon Hill itself. While parts are an active quarry, public footpaths and access roads lead to the summit, offering expansive 360-degree views across several counties. Many routes incorporate sections that provide these rewarding vistas, especially those that climb towards the Priory Church of St Mary and St Hardulph.

The mountain bike trails around Breedon On The Hill are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.6 stars from over 140 reviews. Riders often praise the varied terrain, the scenic views from the prominent limestone hill, and the accessibility of routes like the Cloud Trail. Over 1000 mountain bikers have used komoot to explore this area.

Yes, many of the trails around Breedon On The Hill are designed as circular loops. For example, the popular Robin Wood – Swarkestone Lock loop from Breedon on the Hill is a moderate 42.8 km circular route. Another great option is the Cloud Trail – Staunton Harold Reservoir loop from North West Leicestershire, which is a 36.5 km moderate circular trail.

The area is rich in natural and historical attractions. You can ride past the Staunton Harold Reservoir, or explore the grounds of Calke Abbey, which includes the Deer Park at Calke Abbey. Other notable spots include the ancient Anchor Church Caves and the impressive The Old Man of Calke Oak. The summit of Breedon Hill itself features the Priory Church and an Iron Age hillfort.

Absolutely. For beginners, the Calke Abbey – Gravel Path in Calke Park loop from Ticknall CP is an excellent choice, offering an easy 9.4 km ride within the estate. Many sections of the Cloud Trail are also very accessible and suitable for those new to mountain biking, providing a gentle introduction to the region's trails.

While not directly in Breedon On The Hill, Hicks Lodge, managed by Forestry England, is located about 9 miles away and offers dedicated cycling and mountain biking trails. These include a flat 2km path around a lake, a Family Forest Trail, an easy 2.5km singletrack Wood Farm Trail, and the 7km Shell Brook Trail for more technical riding.

Mountain biking in Breedon On The Hill is enjoyable throughout much of the year. Spring and autumn offer pleasant temperatures and beautiful scenery with changing foliage. Summer provides longer daylight hours. Even in winter, many trails, particularly the hard-surfaced Cloud Trail, remain rideable, though conditions can be muddier on natural trails. Always check local weather and trail conditions before heading out.

Yes, several routes incorporate the region's beautiful water features. The Cloud Trail – Staunton Harold Reservoir loop from North West Leicestershire is a prime example, leading you directly past the scenic Staunton Harold Reservoir. You might also encounter Blackbrook Reservoir and Melbourne Pool on other routes.