Gisburn Forest and Stocks

Visitor information

Wilderness and relaxation go hand in hand at Gisburn. Enjoy fantastic cycling and walking in the heart of the stunning Forest of Bowland

Step into the fairy tale woods of Gisburn Forest and Stocks. Explore the trails and experience a sense of space and freedom as you breathe in the fresh air and hear the peaceful bird song.

Gisburn’s dramatic scenery, with deep forest and challenging hills, provides the perfect backdrop for our award-winning mountain bike trails. Demanding climbs and exhilarating downhills make it the ultimate off-road mecca!

For those seeking a unique outdoor adventure, visit after dusk to soak in the wonder of the stars at this accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site.

At a glance

  • 4 walking trails  - Most of the waymarked walking trails start from Stocks Car Park, with a link trail along the road to the Gisburn Forest Hub.
  • Zog Trail -  Activity packs available from Gisburn Hub Cafe.
  • Walking through the forest can be done from Gisburn Forest Hub Car Park
  • 4 cycling trails 
  • Horse riding 
  • Play area 
  • Bike hire 
  • Cafe - Open daily 10am to 4pm
  • Tramper Hire - Contact cafe to book
  • Wheelchair hire - currently unavailable

Things to do

See more things to do

Cycling and mountain biking trails at Gisburn

Whether you've just bought your first bike or you're happy shredding through rock gardens, Gisburn Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.

Find out more

Tramper in Gisburn Forest

The Champion Bowland Tramper is now located at Gisburn Forest Hub and is available to hire from the cafe.  There is a five mile easy access trail from the cafe with a link route to Stocks Reservoir to enjoy the wonderful scenery along the Birch Hills Trail.  A perfect opportunity for less mobile people to enjoy the beauty of the forest.  The Tramper is provided by Forest of Bowland AONB. 

The Tramper can be booked in advance by contacting the Hub café on 01200 446387 or by emailing gisburncafe@outlook.com - the staff at the cafe will be able to carry out an induction for those new to the Tramper.  The price is £10.00 per use.

Users must be over 16 and accompanied by an adult.

 

Find out more

Walking trails at Gisburn

Come to Gisburn Forest for stunning views over the Bowland Fells and Stocks Reservoir, wildlife watching or to find peace and tranquillity amongst the woodland glades.

The walking trails will take you into the heart of the forest, along historic trackways and former railway lines. You might even see some of the forest’s extensive wildlife from the wildlife hides on the Birch Hills walk.

Most of our walking trails start from Stocks Reservoir car park with a link trail along the road to and from Gisburn Forest Hub.

Find out more

Zog activity trail at Gisburn Forest

Get ready to join Zog on his latest forest adventure with a brand-new family activity trail and free app!

How does it work?

1. Download the new ‘Zog: A Forest Adventure’ app before you visit

Point the brand new app at special markers along the trail and access all sorts of exciting challenges as you go.

Thanks to amazing augmented reality technology, you’ll be able to collect golden stars, just like Zog and have the chance to take a photo with everyone’s favourite dragon at the end of the trail!

Capture the fun by saving videos and photos as you complete the bonus activities!

Get it on Google Play     Get it on the App Store

2. Get your claws on a Zog trail activity pack 

Grab the Zog trail activity pack for £4 from the Gisburn Forest Hub cafe during opening times.

Inside you’ll find: 

kraft bag to colour in. 

dragon wings to decorate and wear. 

Zog glasses. 

stickers. 

trail leaflet. 

pencil and crayon. 

3. Follow the trail

Collect golden stars as your little dragons learn how they can help care for the forest, and how the forests can care for them.  

Share your Zog fun using the #ZogTrail hashtag.

Zog © 2010 & TM Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. Licensed by Magic Light Pictures Ltd.

Find out more

Nearby forests

rich oak woodland

Lord's Lot Forest

Rich in a range of tree species including Scots Pine, Red oak and Beech, Lord's Lot is a vibrant woodland located near Carnforth and north of Lancaster.

Popular with the local community and walkers, Lord's Lot is open all year, providing the perfect place for healthy outdoor activity.

 

Find out more
beech woodland

Dalton Crags Forest

Located between Kendal and Lancaster, Dalton Crags is a large woodland occupying a south-west facing slope on the edge of the Hutton Roof massif.

The woodland is a mixture of limestone pavement, ancient woodland and newly planted beech & larch. It provides the opportunity to engage with nature and go on a peaceful forest walk!

Find out more
Eggerslack

Eggerslack Woods

Eggerslack Woods is a delightful, tranquil place with native trees, an abundance of wildlife and a wide range of holly, ivy and ferns. Located south of Kendal, it is well-equipped with footpaths and is a natural gateway to spectacular views.

Eggerslack Wood is a popular location for walkers and is often visited as part of more extended walks over Hampsfell. Eggerslack is well placed to offer short walks from Grange-over-Sands or from the parking area on Hampsfell Road.

Find out more
Whitbarrow forest hills

Whitbarrow Forest

Residing within the Lake District National Park, Whitbarrow Forest is situated on a limestone ridge overlooking the Lyth Valley approximately eight kilometres to the south-west of Kendal.

The wider Whitbarrow massif is a popular walking area; much of which is now designated open access land. The whole area is well-served with public footpaths, permissive paths and a wide range of other paths and tracks.

Find out more
Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England