Harvesting operations at Cannock Chase Forest

Latest status of The Monkey Trail

Updated 3rd October 2023

Forestry England is the main supplier of timber to UK industry. The timber that is harvested from our sustainably managed woodlands across England goes on to be used for things like building materials, furniture, pallets, chipboard, paper, wood fuel and chippings for gardens and playgrounds. To find out more about timber and the uses of wood visit: https://www.forestryengland.uk/timber-uses-of-wood

At Cannock Chase Forest we are carrying out a significant timber harvesting operation in the areas around the Monkey Trail, so there are going to be significant section closures, diversions and times when the full trail is out of action.

Once the harvesting is completed, we will review the state of the trails and carry out reinstatement work. Thank you for bearing with us.

If you are interested in volunteering to help with reinstatement please complete the expression of interest form on the volunteering page of our website.

Volunteering sessions will take place on Tuesday 10th and Thursday 12th October. Register here. 

Current status of trail sections:

Section nameStatus
Kitbag HillOpen

Uncle Arthur

Open
Devil's StaircaseOpen
Lung BusterClosed
Tight SqueezeClosed
Rainbow ValleyClosed
Over the RainbowClosed
Pot of GoldClosed
RollercoasterClosed
Deer SkullClosed
Old Father TimeClosed
Original Monkey (Tom, Dick and Harry)Closed
Original Monkey - Black sectionClosed
GullyClosed
WoodbankClosed
Monkey's UncleClosed
Five WaysClosed
AbsintheClosed
What Goes UpClosed
Snap itClosed
Upper CliffClosed
Insidious InclineOpen
Lower CliffOpen

Follow the Dog is open as normal.