Forest of Dean Cycle Centre

Visitor information

Start your mountain bike adventure here

Forest of Dean Cycle Centre (formerly known as Cannop Cycle Centre) has something for cyclists of all ages and abilities. Try the Family Cycle Trail or test yourself on the singletrack trails and demanding downhill runs. We also have several skills areas for different abilities, plus a pump track - to help you hone your skills.

Bikes can be hired (or repaired) at Pedalabikeaway (booking advised). You can also enjoy the cafe and shop after your ride.  

Fly Up Downhill operate a bookable uplift service for the downhill runs.  

Whilst out on the trails, if you come across any maintenance issues please report them to: fodtrails@forestryengland.uk

Rider on cycling trail in the Forest of Dean

Current trail status

To make sure you have the best ride on our trails, we have a continuous schedule of trail maintenance and development. This means we sometimes have to close some of our trails. Before your visit, check which are open and which are closed.

Food and drink

Family sitting outside cafe

Forest of Dean Cycle Centre Café

Serving freshly-prepared hot and cold food with locally sourced produce, pop in for a coffee and slice of home-made cake, delicious soup, or our famous loaded FOD burger.

Things to do

With a family trail, blue and red graded cross-country trails and a number of more advanced downhill trails, the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre has something for everyone.

Brush up on your off-roading technique with our specially designed skills areas and pump track. Grab your helmet and head into the forest today!

Here are our top tips for a great day out on the trails:

Wear a helmet and other protective gear. Make sure your bike is in full working order. Respect other riders. Pack the essentials: first aid kit, water, snacks, pump, repair kit, fully charged mobile phone. Always ride within your limits. First aid will not always be available on site. Know your location at all times and have a mobile phone to call for help.  Respect others using the forest - be aware of walkers and horse riders you may come across during your ride.

Whilst out on the trails, if you come across any maintenance issues please report them to: fodtrails@forestryengland.uk

 

Find out more about cycling in the Forest of Dean

British Cycling and Forestry England have teamed up to offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities in the nation’s forests. Every group ride is led by a qualified Breeze into the Forest Champion who will organise everything and make sure everyone stays safe. Come along to ride, chat and of course enjoy some tea and cake from the onsite café afterwards.

Join your Breeze into the Forest Champion, on a cycle ride through the forest, taking in stunning scenery and wildlife. 

Bike hire is available from Pedalabikeaway at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre with pre-booking. Please make them aware you will be riding with Breeze and the name of your Breeze Champion. Check their website for opening times and prices.

Look out for more rides by searching for the Forest of Dean on the Let's Ride website.

*All riders under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. If you are registering a person aged under 16 who is not your child, you must have the consent of the parent or guardian of the child in question.

Looking to hone your mountain bike skills? We have a number of experienced coaches who can you help you reach the next level of riding.

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is the perfect place to develop your riding technique, with trails and skills areas for all abilities. Whether you are an experienced rider, or if you've just bought your first bike, our approved providers can help you improve your skills, allowing you to ride with more confidence. 

They offer a variety of ways to learn, including 1-1 sessions, group courses, kids classes and women-only rides. They can help with everything from jumps, drops, berms, tech and flow.

Click on each coach to find out more about what they offer:

Dean Forest Cycles

Katy Curd Coaching

Pedal Progression

Pro Ride - Mountain Bike Coaching

RideMountains

Wye MTB

Mountain biker in mid air wearing full face helmet

Trail maps

Need some help getting around? Get ready for your next forest adventure by taking a look at our trail maps.

Nearby forests

Cafe at Beechenhurst in the Forest of Dean

Beechenhurst lies in the heart of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain's oldest and largest woodlands.

It is the ideal place for families to start their forest adventure, with a family activity trail, large forest-themed play area and Go Ape high ropes course. Explore the forest on foot using one of our walking trails, or bring your bikes and visit the wider forest using the Colliers Trail - our family-friendly cycling route.

A wooden boardwalk stretches over the water at Cannop Ponds. Blue sky with white fluffy clouds.

Cannop Ponds are two reservoirs within the Forest of Dean, originally created in 1820s to supply a waterwheel at Parkend Ironworks.

Today, they are used for fishing by the Yorkley Angling Club and the site makes an idyllic spot to view local birdlife. Enjoy the picturesque picnic area overlooking the ponds and look out for the Mandarin ducks, reed warblers and a pair of nesting mute swans.

Lakeside view at Mallards Pike

There is something for everyone at this beautiful lakeside setting.

Adrenaline seekers can challenge themselves at Go Ape Tree Top Challenge. For those with energy left to burn there is Forest Segway or a range of running trails from 2km to 10km routes.

View from Symonds Yat Rock in spring

Discover the ancient hill fort, spot birds of prey and enjoy a snack from the log cabin cafe.

There are waymarked trails linking to the River Wye and over the famous Biblins Bridge, or a choice of circular walks into the forest itself. There is also a cycling trail linking Forest Holidays and Camping in the Forest site at Bracelands to Symonds Yat Rock.

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