Mountain biking is a great way to get active while exploring the most beautiful areas of the UK. You can cover huge amounts of ground easily, riding to spectacular vistas and stunning valleys that aren't accessible by road.
What's more, mountain biking is great fun – it's challenging and an exciting way to socialise with friends and family. No wonder it's ever growing in popularity.
The development of off-road E-bikes have made the sport more inclusive, allowing more of us to experience this exhilarating pastime, even if our fitness isn't as good as it could be.
Trail centres have been integral to attracting a wider audience too, providing well-maintained, purpose-built trails. Most of these centres also offer facilities such as car parking, cafes, bike hire and repair, riding lessons and uplift services.
If you haven't experienced the best centres in the UK, be sure to add the ones below to your bucket list.
The best mountain bike centres in the UK
Cannock Chase, Staffordshire
Located slap-bang in the middle of England, Cannock Chase is a busy trail centre and an MTB mecca for all abilities. There are many waymarked trails – cross-country, technical, and family-friendly – that are free to ride and open all year round.
It's busy at weekends, where the multi-use forest teams with visitors of all ages who come to bike, walk and play frisbee golf. Luckily there's room in the large carpark to accommodate all.
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Dalby Forest, North York Moors National Park
Dalby Forest is one of the more sizeable trail centres in England, with everything from green family trails to black-graded cross-country loops. There's a bike park area too.
The trails wind through woodland, heathland and open spaces in the North York Moors. They offer breathtaking vistas, especially as you reach the higher points of the forest.
The facilities are well thought out, with two cafes situated on the site, enabling you to get mid-ride nutrition if needed. There's a large car park and plenty to do for those less interested in biking, including archery, walking trails and a gallery.
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Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Gloucestershire
The Forest of Dean is a spectacular destination and part of the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It hosts dense, ancient woodland and rolling hills. Wild boar roam the forest, and if you visit on a quiet morning you may catch a glimpse of one.
It's full of great trails – a perfect mix for all abilities – with a dedicated family trail. You can access the cross country and downhill routes from the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, which is also home to a shop and cafe.
There's always a real buzz at the trailhead area with lots of events taking place, including demo days, race events and special BBQ evenings.
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Haldon Forest Park, Devon
The all-weather bike trails at Haldon Forest in the South West are perfect for riders who don't like their trails too steep or technical. The red-graded trail is fun and flowy with an optional 1km black challenging segment. You can build skills on the pump track and purpose-built skills area.
The trails wind through beautiful scenery and dense forest. Other activities include orienteering courses, treetop ropes, running routes, play areas and Nordic walking trails.
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Sherwood Pines Forest Park, Nottinghamshire
This trail centre does a great job of providing something for everyone. From a skills area and a bike park complete with a set of dirt jumps, to easy waymarked routes for first-time mountain bikers and families.
British Cycling's Breeze rides, which offer free, women-only group cycle rides for all abilities, take place in the forest too.
The centre sits right on National Cycle Network Route 6, so it’s easy to get to by bike.
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Swinley Forest, Bracknell
With easy access from London, Swinley is a great escape for city dwellers. It offers well-maintained trails for all abilities and all weathers.
The trail centre has everything you need to ensure a great day in the forest, including large cafe and bike shop offering hire and maintenance. There are toilets available to the public and a high-powered bike wash.
Swinley Forest is home to a great community of cyclists, and often open social rides are posted on local social media platforms.
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Wales
Coed Y Brenin, Eryri National Park
Coed Y Brenin in Eryri National Park lays claim to having the first purpose-built mountain bike trail in the whole of the UK and is still regarded as one of the most iconic centres. That's down to its top-quality trails and beautiful natural setting – it's a true hub for MTB culture.
The trails provide something for everyone. Although, Coed Y Brenin does attract a lot of skilled riders who visit for its technical red and black runs.
The popular visitor centre has everything you need for a great day out on the bike, with a cafe and a bike shop that offers repairs and equipment hire. However, Natural Resources Wales has announced it may close it temporarily in April 2025 (trails, car park, toilets will remain open), so check before you visit.
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BikePark Wales, Merthyr Tydfil
If you're seriously invested in mountain biking, BikePark Wales is an outstanding centre and widely thought of as the best in the UK. It has the greatest and most diverse selection of all-weather mountain bike trails, for beginners to pro riders.
The network of 40 trails are expertly maintained and the trail builders are constantly developing new ones. The shuttle uplift is a big draw, attracting riders from all over the UK and beyond.
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Scotland
Glenlivet, Cairngorms National Park
Set in spectacular Scottish scenery in the glorious Cairngorms National Park, Glenlivet is a memorable destination. The trails are located on the Glenlivet estate and are made up two cross country-inspired purpose-built tracks for beginners to advanced riders.
There's a pump track, skills area and 1km orange trail where you can try jumps and berms, too. New for 2024 was a zip wire. There's also a warm cafe, and the Glenlivet distillery not far away.
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Glentress, Scottish Borders
Set in the Scottish Borders' beautiful Tweed Valley – home to rich forests and the sparkling River Tweed – this world-class destination has it all. There are miles of bike trails, for beginners to advanced riders, categorised into green, blue, red and black, and an excellent cafe and bike shop.
There are lots of other adventures to be had in the area, too – walking, horse riding, fishing – and nearby historic town Peebles makes a great base to explore from.
It's not hard to get to nearby mountain bike meccas, Innerleithen and Kirroughtree, from here either.
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