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Gisburn Forest entrance

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!

Gisburn Forest entrance
Walking trails and routes

A linear trail to Stocks Reservoir car park.  Look into Dalehead Chapel and Heritage Centre for local interpretation on your way.  

Night sky at Gisburn

Explore our newly accredited Dark Sky Discovery Site at Gisburn. Be in awe as the cosmos magically reveals itself in the skies over Bowland.

Gisburn Forest Hub is one of five sites within the Forest of Bowland AONB to be granted the Discovery Site status.

More information on the Discovery Sites and events can be found here:

https://forestofbowland.com/Star-Gazing

Someone flying a kite in a open field at Gisburn
Picnics and barbecues

Enjoy a tasty treat in the forest at one of our beautiful picnic areas, just bring along good food and company!

We have picnic tables available at Cocklet Hill and The Hub car parks. You can also take in the view over Stocks reservoir from United Utilities’ picnic area in the old vicarage garden next to School Lane car park.

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

Walker and Tramper user with dog on a forest road

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. 

Female mountain biker Gisburn, Hully Gully
Cycling & mountain biking

Laid out in a figure of 8, highlights on this trail include the volunteer built Home Baked sections, the gnarly Whelp Stone Crag and the optional section of black trail, the roller coaster ride of Hully Gully.  This trail includes forest road, red and blue graded single track and some optional black grade features and sections on the way.  

Ladies riding on Horses through the woodlands
Horse riding

Whilst we do not have any purpose built or waymarked horse riding routes, horse riders are welcome to explore our network of forest roads. Please also observe all operational signage and diversions. The public road passing through the forest is designated a 'Quiet Road' and its use enables circular routes to be followed through the forest. 

No permit is needed to ride at Gisburn. 

Hamsterley Cycling - Jerry Tatton
Cycling & mountain biking

Our skills loop is located by the stone wall circle of Gisburn Forest Hub.  Three linked, mini loops of trail offer progressively harder riding.  The loops are packed with technical features and obstacles.  

Test your skill level before choosing one of our cross-country trails.  Learn, practice and perfect those new riding skills.  

Orienteering route at gisburn
Orienteering

Why not try your hand at orienteering, a map reading challenge for all levels.

The aim for everyone is to navigate between control points marked on an orienteering map. If you are a little more competitive the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.

An easy permanent orienteering course is located in Birch Hills and starts from School Lane car park.

boy interacting with a Gruffalo activity panel
The Gruffalo Party Trails

The Gruffalo is celebrating his 25th birthday and to celebrate, everyone is invited to take part in a brand-new forest adventure.

What to expect

The interactive family trail features all sorts of party-themed activities and games, along with fun facts to teach you about life in the forest for the Gruffalo and other creatures.

Gisburn cycling
Cycling & mountain biking

This is a blue graded trail but has sections of green.  Drop down the causeway over Stocks Reservoir and bounce along Eggberry Road.  A mellow section of green trail follows an old railway line beside Bottoms Beck.  Flow along the funky blue singletrack of Park Wood before swooping down from the top of Cocklet Hill.  

walkers enjoying a walk through nature in autumn
Walking trails and routes

Passing through mixed woodland this route follows an old farmstead track known as Eggberry Road.  There are views over Bottoms Beck to the ancient broadleaved woodland of Park Wood.  

 

Birch Hills walk, Gisburn

An easy path through mixed woodland with views over Stocks Reservoir. On this trail you will pass the old vicarage garden picnic area and two wildlife hides. This trail has also been adapted to be tramper friendly.  

 

Family walking on a woodland trail
Walking trails and routes

This walk takes you on a grand tour all the way round Stocks Reservoir.  You will find great views of the wild Forest of Bowland landscape. 

Please stay on the waymarked route, for your own safety and to protect sensitive wildlife.  

Close up of walking boots of person walking along a leafy path
Walking trails and routes

A steady climb through Birch Hills, followed by a descent to Bottoms Beck.  There are great views over the forest and Hesbert Hill Farm.  The trail follows the course of an old railway along the beck to join with Eggberry Road where there are fine views of Park Wood and Stocks Reservoir.  

This trail is currently open with a diversion due to fallen trees.

 

mountain biker jumping on a single track trail through the woods
Cycling & mountain biking

If you like your downhill bike trails twisty and fun then you will enjoy this trail. The Hope Line is a land of berms, jumps and drop-offs. The Leap of Faith is just that, grab your handlebars and go for it. Full face helments and body armour needed for this trail.  

Gisburn Forest cafe and picnic area

Gisburn Forest provides the perfect venue for a range of events. If you are interested in holding an event here you will need to apply first so that we can ensure your event doesn't clash with anything else happening in the forest, such as forest operations work. 

Once we know your needs we can advise you to make sure your event is a success. Please contact us no later than eight weeks before your proposed event. 

Family walking Forest of Dean generic
Walking trails and routes

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.

Gisburn cycling
Cycling & mountain biking

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.

Gisburn cycling
Local Forest Membership

Support the forest you love

Become a member of Gisburn Forest and Stocks, for fairy tail walks, challenging bike trail adventures, star gazing and space to unwind. 

National Membership

Or if you’re someone who likes to travel both locally and a little further afield, why not consider our National Membership to access all our forests under a single membership.

Conifer tree tops

About

The Gisburn Forest Plan covers 1256 hectares of conifer plantation, broadleaved woods and open land in the upper Hodder valley in Lancashire. The whole of Gisburn Forest, the largest wooded area in the county, lies within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Volunteers at Fineshade Woods
Volunteering

Join your local team of volunteers to learn new skills, meet new people, make new friends and enhance your local forest for the benefit of nature and the community.

Mountain bike trail Dig Days

Mountain bike trail Dig Days are held on the second Sunday of the month.

For more information please take a look at the bike trails Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/gisburnforestbiketrails

Orienteering route at gisburn
Orienteering

Try your hand at orienteering, a map reading challenge for all levels.

The aim for everyone is to navigate between control points marked on an orienteering map. If you are a little more competitive the challenge is to complete the course in the quickest time.

There is a permanent orienteering course available at the site.

There is an online map available from Humberside and Lincolnshire Orienteering (HALO)

Ladies Mountain Biking Gisburn
Event
18 - 19 May 2024
2 day event
Gisburn Forest and Stocks

This is a 2 day biking event for ladies, building their core skills, getting to know their bike in Gisburn Forest and on day 2 enjoying a lovely ride in the Yorkshire Dales.  Bunk Barn accommodation is included in the price including evening meals.

Mountian Biking Gisburn
Event
2 and 3 September
2 day event
Gisburn Forest and Stocks

A 2 day course for ladies wanting to improve their core mountain biking skills.

Day one is the skills development day, day two will be a lead ride in the Yorkshire dales with 1 or 2 ride leaders to consolidate the skills learned in day one and to enjoy the stunning scenery and varied riding terrain in the area

Autumnal landscape with lake and mountains in background
Blog
06 September 2022
If you're looking for colourful autumn walks to enjoy near you this season, look no further! We've rounded up our favourite spots in the North West for vibrant colours, breathtaking views, and mindful moments of forest tranquility.
Woman mountain biking on spring forest trail
Event
1, 2, 3 June 2024
2 to 3 day event
Gisburn Forest and Stocks

1 days skills coaching, 1-day lead ride, 2 nights bunk barn accommodation, a delicious 2 course evening meal on Friday and Saturday nights, tea, coffee and cake on Saturday afternoon.  £350pp

We also offer the option of an extra day for £450 per person for the 3 day course (includes extra evening meal and extra night accommodation).If you wish to add the extra day on, please contact us when booking.

View of forest and hills from Carron Crag trail at Grizedale

Some facilities and trails remain closed due to storm damage and forestry works.

Please call in to Visitor Information for help in planning your visit.

Now open

Visitor Information 10am-4pm

Cafe fully open from 10.00am to 4.00pm every day.

Toilets in courtyard

Main Car Park & Toilets

Moor Top Car Park

Kennels car park

Picnic table surrounded by trees
Blog
22 June 2023
The sounds and sights of summer await you at one of these fantastic picnic spots in the North West.

Our main sites for filming in the forest are Bourne Wood (South East England), Thetford Forest (East England) and Westonbirt Arboretum (South West England). To find out about our other filming locations and to arrange a permit, please contact the relevant district below.

South England

Forests in this district include The New Forest, Alice Holt and Moors Valley

Beech tree leaves close up
Article
28 January 2020
You can contact local districts directly if you have a complaint, please use the contacts below. If you’d like to know how we deal with complaints, read our complaints procedure.
Walking in trees
News
22 September 2022
Venturing out for an autumn walk is a real treat for all the family. Enjoy the rich golden colours, kicking through crisp leaves and the sights, sounds and scents of a season of change.