But do you know where to ride?
Where you choose to ride really depends on the kind of a cyclist you are. Do you ride for fun and to keep fit? Do you dream of racing enduro or downhill? Or you ride as it’s an activity that you can enjoy with the whole family?
Mountain biking is great exercise, and above all else it’s fun for all age groups and abilities. With fabulous scenery, routes as challenging or easy as you make them, you always have real sense of achievement when you reach the end.
Where you ride doesn’t really matter, it’s very much personal preference, but we implore you to get out for an adventure and explore, try to experience the great outdoors as much as you can. Mountain biking is not the only way to do that, but as far as we are concerned it’s the best way.
Our database of nearly every route we’ve ever ridden, from planned big rides through to our more explorative rides, is growing all the time. We believe that the wild and rugged countryside of our National Parks and other open places, provide some the best locations for mountain biking.
Below are an example of some of our favourite mountain bike routes. All the distances and elevation profiles are highlighted, so you can make sure it’s within your capabilities. Just make sure you take that thirst for adventure with you!
Our example routes
Each of these example routes from our vast database have GPX files that you can download an upload to your favourite GPS device for turn by turn navigation, and for those of you that aren’t tech savvy, if you click on the imagery it will download a printed map version of the route.
Even if you use a GPS device, we strongly recommend that you also take a printed map. Some of the areas that we ride in have a very limited signal should anything go wrong with your GPS device.
If you are on one of our guided rides you don’t need to worry about though, that’s for ourselves to deal with so you can just relax and enjoy the ride!
Grizedale Big Figure 8
Starting and finishing at Grizedale Visitor Centre this full days ride in the Lake District involves plenty of climbing, but you are rewarded with lots of technical, flowing, and rocky descents. Be sure to pick a nice a day and the awe inspiring scenery is well worth it. The descent into Nibthwaite is one of the best around. The second half of the ride is much gentler as you head over Claife Heights towards Lake Windermere, and if you want a shorter ride you can always just ride this second half of the route.
Anglezarke and Rivington
Even without the big hills this area still provides some awesome riding. The terrain isn’t too difficult, but there are a few technical sections which require extra care. Heading out from Rivington Country Park towards Anglezarke Reservoir the adventurous of you can play around on the man-made trails in Healey Nab, before heading back towards the park for the climb up Rivington Pike. If you pick a good day there are some unexpected great views and awesome riding to be had.
All The Moors
From beginners to the more experienced riders of the High Peaks, this tour has a little bit of everything for everyone. From the spectacular views of Stannage Edge and Burbage Rocks, to the berm fest at Lady Cannings Plantation. Just don’t spend too long playing around here as you have more epic riding ahead, especially the Devils Elbow descent in Blacka Moor. Stop off for a bite to eat and gander at the views from Curbar Edge and Froggatts Edge, truly something to behold on a clear day.
High Peaks Tour
Prepare yourself for stunning views, tough climbs and gnarly descents. Starting at Fairholmes Visitor Centre you head out on a gentle ride round Ladybower Reservoir before climbing up-to Whinestone Lee Tor. Heading towards Hope and Castleton you negotiate your way down the technical rocky descent of Cavedale, before riding up the broken road of Mam Tor. The view from Hollins Cross is epic, as is the descent to Edale. On the way back see if you can spot when you’re riding on Potato Alley.
Coed-y-Brenin Tour
What is there to say about Coed-y-Brenin, it is the original trail centre and home to some of the best man-made trails you will ever ride. To this day it is still one of the best trail centres in the country. But it’s not all about the epic way marked trails though, there are some awesome bridleways and single-track away from the hustle and bustle. The forest provides a great mix of terrain from fast flowing single-track through to technical rocky descents. It has it all. You just have to explore it.
Langsett, Winscar and Penistone
Not the most popular place to ride in the Peak District, but it provides you with a slightly different riding experience. As you start out at Langsett Reservoir and head out over the moors towards Winscar Reservoir, you have a mixture of some nice single-track and lane riding before dropping onto the Trans Pennine Trail towards picturesque Penistone. From there you drop back down to Langsett on some nice bridleways where you can finish with some loose rocky fun on Midhope Moors.
“A bad day on a mountain bike always beats a good day in the office.”
Are you ready?
