We're refurbishing Yer Tiz to create an amazing accessible cycling trail for everyone to enjoy time in nature. We're starting work in November 2026 ready to open the refreshed Yer Tiz in Spring 2026.
The updated Yer Tiz will meet the needs of a wider range of riders, including those who use non-standard or adapted mountain bikes, while staying true to the fun and flowy trail that riders know and love.
This project is made possible by Forestry England’s Access for All programme, supported by funding from Defra.
What's happening?
Riders have been enjoying Yer Tiz since 2011. Since then, the way people ride mountain bikes and the bikes themselves have evolved a lot and the trail is ready for a facelift.
Working with our partners, Back on Track, Yer Tiz will be fully resurfaced and updated to make it more accessible to riders of different abilities and riders using adapted mountain bikes. Yer Tiz will still provide a confidence-building introduction to off-road cycling with enough challenges to keep advanced riders entertained.
Our skills area and optional difficult trail loops will still be available for skills progression and greater challenges.
Accessible cycling
We are working with regular riders of adapted mountain bikes and riders with lived experience to ensure the Yer Tiz meets their needs.
The work on Yer Tiz is planned in line with Forestry England’s Cycle Trail Design & Construction Framework, which includes elements of the KASA international standards for adaptive mountain biking. This is specifically designed to include the broadest possible range of ages and abilities. For example, sections of Yer Tiz will be widened to achieve an average trail width of at least 1200mm. The maximum gradient on the trail will be 10% and all features will be rollable at a steady pace.
How this affects your visit
Cyclists
We will keep Yer Tiz open as long as it’s safe to do so. At the moment, the trail start is diverted along the purple walking trail. Please ride considerately and give way to pedestrians.
It will probably be necessary to close Yer Tiz fully in a few weeks. Please check back for updates or follow our Facebook page.
While Yer Tiz is closed, we recommend visiting the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre or Haldon Forest Park for similarly-graded cycle trails.
Other visitors
Walking trails remain open during this project.
Cyclists are currently diverted along the final section of the purple walking trail. Please be aware of bikes in this area.
The red walking trail is currently diverted due to tree harvesting and habitat work.
More about the Yer Tiz project
Absolutely! Yer Tiz will be blue graded to be welcoming and enjoyable for as many riders as possible. It is intended for anyone with basic off-road cycling skills, from families and novices, to advanced riders. Yer Tiz will be refreshed to meet the needs of a wider range of riders, including those who use non-standard or adapted mountain bikes, while staying true to the fun and flowy Yer Tiz you know and love.
Yes! Electrically assisted pedal cycles are welcome on Forestry England trials, including Yer Tiz. These are bikes with pedal-assisted power. Bikes that are powered only by electric are not permitted, nor are electric skateboards, scooters, Segways, or other vehicles.
No. Yer Tiz was created to provide a fun cycling experience at Leigh Woods and reduce the creation of unauthorised trails through areas of sensitive forest. But most of Leigh Woods is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and contains important ancient woodland habitats, which are unsuitable for creating new trails. We look forward to seeing many more riders enjoying Yer Tiz in the years to come.
No. We are keeping Yer Tiz at a blue grade to make sure that it is welcoming and enjoyable for as many riders as possible. Blue grade trails provide a great introduction to off-road cycling with opportunities to develop skills, while providing rollable features for safety and confidence. Blue grade features such as roots, steps, jumps, and berms trails also provide challenges when ridden at higher speed to keep more advanced riders entertained. The red graded Gert Lush and Keener Loop are also having a tidy up at this time and will still be available for experienced riders. For more red grade trails, we recommend the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre.