Forestry Commission Trails

North West England

1. Cumbria / Lake District

• Grizedale
• Whinlatter
• GNAR

1. Lancashire

Taking to the trails, paths, roads, tracks or fells?

Then take the necessary equipment

Take some snacks

Make sure you take a drink

Check your gear

Enjoy your day

Mountain biking is a sport that can easily be accessed by many people and of almost any ability. It will depend upon the age, experience, bike and condition, but starting on simple tracks , lanes and trails.

These days there are so many ways to locate and follow routes recorded or ridden by other mountain bikers. From route cards in MTB magazines, paperback books, recorded GPS routes etc. So depending upon how serious you are and how much you wish to spend you can pick and choose your routes all over the UK.

Trail centres like Grizedale and Whinlatter offer a range of graded trails for all levels of ability, something to challenge most of us.

BIKEs, Which Bike is for me

BIG QUESTION…it does not matter which discipline of cycling you do or would like to experience . There is a fantastic range to choose from. Budget and ability will play a big part, whether you use them once a year or every weekend, it can be mind boggling making a choice. See our bike guide.

Hardtail

Full Suspension

How many bikes do you need?

Craigs view is, the number in your garage plus one

Finding your own way Trails

There is a range of great Websites that offer routes tried, graded and tested by MTB riders. They also allow you to create, save and publish your own routes.

I personnaly use a couple of different web tools and phone apps. See the page on Technology

Mountain Bike disciplines / Styles

Cross Country (XC)

Down Hill (freeride)

Enduro (All mountain)

Trail