Top 14 Bike Parks around the Forest Of Dean

Yes, the Forest of Dean offers several excellent family-friendly options. The Colliers Trail is a 9-mile circular, off-road route mostly on former railway lines, suitable for all ages and abilities. The Cannop Cycle Centre also features the Old Bob's Trail, a green-graded route with skills areas, and a dedicated Family Skills Area for practicing techniques.

Intermediate riders will find plenty to enjoy. The Verderers' Trail (Blue) at Cannop Cycle Centre is a fast-flowing, 7-mile singletrack with berms and rollovers, often praised as one of the best blue trails in the UK. The Launch Pad Downhill Trail is also an intermediate, smooth, and flowy downhill option.

For challenging downhill, the Cannop Cycle Centre offers 14 exhilarating downhill tracks ranging from blue to double-black grades, packed with drops, jumps, and technical sections. Examples include 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' and 'Mr Rooty'. The Flyup 417 Project, located about 40 minutes away, also boasts six extensive downhill tracks from blue to black grades, including 'Superfly' and 'Infinity and Beyond'.

The Cannop Cycle Centre, run by Pedalabikeaway, provides comprehensive facilities including a café, bike shop, bike hire (with adapted bikes, e-bikes, and full suspension), a workshop for repairs, showers, toilets, bike wash, and compressed air. The Flyup 417 Project also has a café, bike shop, and workshop on site.

Yes, both the Cannop Cycle Centre and the Flyup 417 Project offer uplift services. Flyup Downhill provides an uplift service at Cannop to transport riders and their bikes to the top, maximizing runs. The Flyup 417 Project also has a slick uplift service for its downhill tracks and a unique MTB Drag Lift for its Dual Slalom run.

The Flyup 417 Project, located near Cheltenham, uniquely offers two indoor riding barns totaling over 1100 square metres. This makes it an excellent option for year-round riding, regardless of weather conditions.

Beyond bike parks, the Forest of Dean offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can explore cycling routes like the 'Forest of Dean loop from Coleford' or 'View of Cannop Ponds – Colliers Trail'. There are also easy hiking trails such as 'Symonds Yat & Biblins Bridge loop' and dedicated MTB trails like the 'Blue Verderers trail'.

Visitors frequently praise the diversity of trails, catering to all abilities from beginners to advanced riders. The well-maintained routes, fast-flowing sections, and challenging downhill tracks are often highlighted. Many appreciate the comprehensive on-site facilities, including bike hire, cafes, and uplift services, making for a convenient and enjoyable day out.

Yes, the Cannop Cycle Centre includes dedicated skills areas and a pump track, perfect for practicing and progressing techniques. The Old Bob's Trail, a green-graded route, also incorporates three skills areas with berms, rollers, bridges, boardwalks, and rock gardens to help beginners develop off-road skills.

The Freeminers Trail is a challenging red-graded singletrack designed for proficient mountain bikers at the Cannop Cycle Centre. It features tricky switchback climbs, rooty drops, hairpin bends, and sections like the Freeminers Red Route Tabletops. Riders can choose different loop lengths, including an extended 17.3km option with the Adit loop.

The Forest of Dean bike parks are generally accessible year-round. However, for the best conditions, late spring to early autumn (April to October) typically offers drier trails and more pleasant weather. Weekdays are usually less crowded than weekends, especially during peak season.