Cumberland Clough Trail – Macclesfield Forest loop from St. Stephen's Chapel, Macclesfield Forest

Mountain biking trails

Cumberland Clough Trail – Macclesfield Forest loop from St. Stephen's Chapel, Macclesfield Forest

Moderate

4.7

(30)

251

riders

Cumberland Clough Trail – Macclesfield Forest loop from St. Stephen's Chapel, Macclesfield Forest

01:54

20.3km

580m

Mountain biking

Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 21, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Peak District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

838 m

Ridgegate Reservoir

Lake

3.50 km

Charity Lane

Highlight (Segment) • MTB Park

Charity Lane is an ancient, unimproved lane running across the top of Macclesfield Forest. It starts off wide open and smooth, and gets progressively rockier the further foes you get …

Tip by

5.21 km

Oven Lane Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Short extension to Charity Lane. A bit loose so don't take too tentatively.

Tip by

8.95 km

Barry Off Brookside

Highlight • MTB Park

long fast tech descent

Tip by

13.1 km

Cumberland Clough Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Please ignore Tino's comment on Cumberland Clough, he clearly does not know of what he speaks. Perfectly rideable on any decent xc bike with some off road experience. Yes it's …

Tip by

17.0 km

Macclesfield Forest is a hidden gem nestled in the Peak District, offering a serene retreat. Its sprawling woodlands and tranquil reservoirs provide opportunities for hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.

Tip by

18.5 km

View of the Goyt Valley Reservoirs and Start of Bike Trail

Highlight • Lake

Magnificent view of the reservoirs and the start point for a stoney & loose downhill gravel track for bikes only.

Tip by

20.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.1 km

6.62 km

1.86 km

573 m

119 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.80 km

6.73 km

2.41 km

1.83 km

1.46 km

119 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (530 m)

Lowest point (230 m)

Weather

Sunday 4 October

17°C

11°C

36 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 17.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

September 28, 2022,Macclesfield Forest MTB

Stunning views, some nice gravel & plenty of gnarl when you leave the forest and add the Three Shires Head loop, which could be easily by-passed to make a much easier ride, still with plenty of spice.
I found the lane at the start of the drop to Three Shires Head blocked by sheep 🐑(11mls)🐏 but I took the bull …