Visitor information

The home of mountain biking in the Forest of Dean

Spring is here, bringing longer days and trails bursting back into life. Get ready to ride!

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is one of the UK's most popular trail centres. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned pro, we've got the perfect springtime forest adventure waiting for you.

Fun for every rider

  • Green trails: Perfect for families and first-timers looking for a gentle introduction as the woods wake up for the season.
  • Blue trails: Build your confidence on flowing singletrack with fun features, surrounded by vibrant spring greenery.
  • Red trails: Challenge yourself with technical climbs, descents, and engaging obstacles as the forest bursts into colour.
  • Epic downhill action: Brace yourself for 14 exhilarating downhill trails, packed with drops, jumps, and berms to get your adrenaline pumping (Flyup offer a bookable uplift service to maximize your runs).
  • Dedicated Skills Areas: Practice and progress in our graded skills zones, ideal for shaking off the winter cobwebs.
  • Pump Track: Get your flow on and perfect your pumping technique in the fresh spring air.
  • Colliers Trail: The ultimate leisurely ride suitable for families and beginners. Enjoy a scenic journey around the wider forest visiting popular nearby locations such as Beechenhurst and Mallards Pike—look out for spring wildlife and new growth along the way.

Your day, made easy

  • No bike? No problem! We have on-site bike hire available for all riders and trail types.
  • Unwind after your ride in our welcoming cafe, serving delicious food and drinks—perfect for a springtime refuel.
  • Stock up on essentials or grab some new gear at our on-site shop, ready for the season ahead.

Help us keep the trails awesome

Our incredible trail network is constantly evolving, thanks in large part to the hard work of the Dean Trail Volunteers (DTV). Get involved in a dig day or support their fundraising efforts by making a donation to help maintain and improve the trails.

Quality from start to finish

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is a quality assured visitor attraction, having been quality assessed by VisitEngland. Their quality logo is more than a stamp of approval—it's an assurance that every aspect of your visit, from arrival to departure, has been independently checked to high standards.

Visit England Quality Assured Visitor Attraction logo

At a glance

Our car park can get very busy at weekends. If the car park is full please park at Beechenhurst or Cannop Ponds. Do not park on verges or in gateways.
Noticed an issue on the trails? Please help us by reporting any maintenance problems 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.

What's on

Forest event
Once a fortnight on Wednesdays until the end of March
10:30am to 1pm
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre

Goals Beyond Grass are a Gloucestershire-based charity that works to provide inclusive sports across the county. Their programme GBG Bikes offers accessible bike hire at the Forest...

Forest event
15 March
Meet at 9:45am ready to ride for 10am
Benches outside the cafe

Hosted by SheRides Ambassador Ernesta, this is a social ride for blue level riders. It’s a super loose structure – you won’t be rushing to get done, you won’t be pushing to tick...

Forest event
Saturday 13 June

The FOD Women’s Takeover Day is back for 2026.

Just like last year's event, this is a day dedicated to riding, connection, and community, all in celebration of women who love life...

Forest event
Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 September
9am - 5pm
Forest of Dean Cycle Centre

The Hope WMN Enduro is returning to the Forest of Dean in 2026!

This sixth running of the Hope WMN Enduro will be the second in the Forest of Dean, all with that same chilled social...

Food and drink

Two children enjoying a hot chocolate with bikes in the background

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, green, blue and red graded cross-country trails and 14 more advanced downhill trails, the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre has something for everyone.

Brush up on...

Hiring a bike at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is the quickest way to get straight out onto the trails.

Our partners Pedalabikeaway offer on-site bike hire which means there is...

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...

Gravel riding is the perfect way to explore the Forest of Dean, one of the UK’s largest ancient woodlands. Whether you’re an experienced rider, or just starting out, the Forest of...

Our work

A group of riders cycling in a forest, led by a woman with a baby

Our work and future projects

Our vision is to make the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre the most complete trail centre in the UK. We want to create a place that offers something for everyone, where anyone feels welcome to ride.
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

A decorated stained glass pane hangs over a forest path.

Step into spring at Beechenhurst and soak up the vibrant sights and sounds of the Forest of Dean, one of Britain’s most treasured woodlands. As nature awakens, it’s the perfect...

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...

An early morning view of the lake at Mallards Pike.

Step into the fresh, vibrant spirit of spring at Mallards Pike. As the Forest of Dean awakens, this beautiful lakeside spot offers the perfect mix of peaceful escape and family...

A family dressed in winter clothing looking out from Symonds Yat Rock viewpoint across the Wye Valley

Step into spring at Symonds Yat Rock, an iconic viewpoint where fresh green leaves, birdsong, and bright new growth transform the landscape.

Whether you're a nature lover, history...

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