Hopton Wood

Pearce XC and Hopton Downhill cycle trails are closed from Wednesday 27 September until Monday 2 October for a private event

Visitor information

How to find us

There are two car parks that give access to the wood, Bedstone Hill Car Park and Hopton Wood Car Park.

Sat Nav Postcode:

SY7 0QF

Hopton Wood , Craven Arms

By Car

Bedstone Hill Car Park (SY7 0BG) - Turn off the B4367 into the village of Bedstone, take the turn on the left sign posted for Mynd and then the first turn on the right sign posted for Darky Dale.

Hopton Wood Car Park (SY7 0QF) - Hopton Wood is situated eight miles west of Craven Arms, off the B4385 to Clun adjacent to the village of Hopton Castle.

OS Grid Ref

SO 355 784

Get directions

52.394332327208, -2.9597193247457

group mountain biking through autumnal trees — Photo credit: Andy McCandlish

Hopton Wood

Start your cycling adventure at Hopton Wood!

Hopton Woods is the home of mountain biking in Shropshire. Come and test yourself out on the warm-up loop before heading into the wood on our harder trails.

All the trails at Hopton are largely unsurfaced, so the way they ride changes according to the weather and the season. Please ride within your ability (and that of your bike) and with appropriate safety gear.

At a glance

3 cycling trails
Walking
Picnic area

Things to do

Cycling & mountain biking at Hopton Wood

Use the Warm-up Loop to check that you and your bike are up to the ride before heading out on the Pearce XC.

For the less experienced rider, there are plenty of forest roads and byways for you to enjoy.

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Picnics at Hopton Wood

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at Hopton Wood. Just bring along good food and company!

There are two picnic tables in the Hopton Wood car park.

To prevent forest fires and reduce waste, please do not bring any barbecues into our forests.

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Walking at Hopton Wood

Walking in the woodland is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

For your safety we recommend you don't walk the bike trails.

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Nearby forests

Bury Ditches

Dating from about 500BC, Bury Ditches is home to one of the best-preserved hill forts in the country! Located near the town of Clun in the Shropshire Hills Area of Natural Beauty, Bury Ditches isn't short of stunning views, ancient history and blood-pumping walks.

The climb up to the hill fort is steep but the views are worth it!

Visitors looking for a level walk can follow the forest road from the car park, past the barrier to a bench and a view.

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Kinsley Wood

The trees you see here (mostly Larch and Douglas Fir) were planted in the 1950s when the need for home-grown timber was high after WWII. You can now enjoy the woodland by following the forest road on a circular stroll or having a picnic at the benches overlooking Knighton.

The wood is full of folklore and stories, so pick up a leaflet at the Offa's Dyke Visitor Centre on West Street in Knighton for more information.

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Mortimer Forest

Come and escape in Mortimer Forest! Straddling the Shropshire and Herefordshire border this thousand hectare forest is a perfect place for some breathing space.

Although originally made up of ancient royal chases and deer parks, the forest we see today was largely planted by the Forestry Commission in the 1920s. It was named after the Mortimer Family, Norman Lords who held power over the region for some 300 years.

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Wapley Hill Wood

Come and walk and enjoy the beech trees, discover the hillfort and have a tasty picnic at Wapley Hill Wood.

You are welcome to walk anywhere in this woodland but we ask horse riders and cyclists to keep to the surfaced tracks to prevent the smaller paths becoming impassable for those on foot.

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