Ashton Court & Leigh Woods trails — Bristol

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.