FACILITIES
Car park and charges: Yes; charges apply
Cafe: Yes
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes (key available from ranger)
Bike wash: No
Nearest bike shop: On site
Bike hire: Yes
Accommodation: B&Bs, hotels, camping and self-catering accommodation in area.
Other trails on site: Blue, Green.
Ordnance Survey map: Explorer 110.
ENJOYMENT FOR SKILL LEVEL
Beginner: 7/10
Intermediate: 6/10
Advanced: 5/10
Getting there: At the top of the hill on the main road (A38) follow the brown signs to Haldon Forest Park – the junction is also signed for Exeter racecourse. Follow the country lane for a few kilometres and you will see the main entrance to the Forest Park on your left.
Grid ref: SX 88427 84869
Sat nav: EX6 7XR
More info: www.forestry.gov.uk
Holden Forest Park is a Forestry Commission managed site. There are very few permissive paths within the forest, and so provision has been made for mountain bikes and walkers to enjoy the landscape. The mountain bike trails start from the visitor centre located on Buller’s Hill. Holden Forest is a working forest and the landscape may have changed by the time you read this due to various felling operations, however, the commission have a responsibility to keep the trails open and any information regarding diversions or closures can be found on the commission’s website.
RIDGE RIDE TRAIL
On-site grade: Red
Clive’s grade: Red with some easier Blue sections
Distance: 9.5km
Technicality: 6/10
Ascent: 203m
ENJOYMENT FOR SKILL LEVEL
Beginner: 7/10
Intermediate: 7/10
Advanced: 5–6/10
From the main car park cross over the country lane and join a forest road. After a few metres the trail forks off to the left. This section gives you a taste of what’s to come, twisting turns with some tight bermed corners link rocky drops that lead you into more flowing corners before popping out onto a double track.
Here you have spectacular views across to your right back towards Exeter. However, the double track only last a few metres so enjoy the views while you can in safety. You will then take a right fork and into a single-track traverse. The trail now starts to descend down the hill. Since there are a few tight blind corners within this section, take care as there is no support on the outside of these corners!
You will continue to descend before switching right and traversing back across the hillside. This section starts to climb slightly upwards but the gradient is easy-going. You will eventually end up next to a country lane on your left. The trail is cut into a steep hillside and has a fence to your left; the taller riders among you may want to take care in this section as there is an overhanging tree that you will have to duck under. The single track drops left through a very tight pinch gate crossing the country lane. The next section descends and crosses over a couple of small bridges.
Cross over a footpath then take a left-hand switch and continue to descend, crossing the footpath once more. The trail runs around the hill with a forest road to your left. Traverse the hill and descend to join into this forest road where you will come to a large turning circle. At this point you can continue straight on along the forest road on the Red route or you have the option of a short Black section that drops in to your left down some steep stone-pitching.
The Black section is quite narrow and quite rough in places but is well worth a look if your skills are up to it. As you exit the switchbacks at the bottom of the Black descent you will join a double track that climbs back up. This double track joins into the turning circle where you will rejoin the Red route and continue to climb up around the front of the hill on a wide forest road. At the top of this forest road take a tight right-hand switchback where the trail continues to climb (now on single track) traversing the hillside. The next section is an interesting climb that leads you up onto the country lane. Take care crossing the lane: although small it is quite a busy road!
On the other side of the road you will enter another twisting section of trail, which is cut into a hillside. The trail will lead you across the top of the hill heading north-west back towards the car park. The final section of trail is quite uneventful: after 1km you will pass over a forest access road and this puts you into the final section that leads back to the car park where you started the lap.
ALSO WORTH RIDING
ASHTON COURT – BRISTOL
Cross-country trails, Timberland trail 9km
Hotels and B&Bs in the area
Shops and cafes in Bristol city
Location: The trails are located in the parkland area behind the main gatehouse. They can be accessed from the Clifton Suspension bridge and are just off the main A369 Portishead road.
Grid ref: ST 558727
Sat nav: BS41 9NJ
Info: www.ashtoncourtestate.co.uk
GAWTON
Three Downhill tracks
HSD Red-grade trail, Egypt Black-grade trail and Super Tavi Black grade
Camping, hotels and B&Bs in the area
Uplift service available
Location: Heading north from Tavistock follow the A390 towards Gulworthy for approximately 22km (14 miles). Take a left turn onto the B3257 and follow for a couple of kilometres, you need to take a tight right turn into a narrow lane and head down towards the woodland, the car park is on the left.
Grid ref: SX 45859 69629
Sat nav: Tavistock
Info: www.woodlandriders.com
THE TRACK, PORTREATH
Jumps, pump track, slope style/freeride features
Campsite and cafe on site
Bike shop and bike hire on site
Location: Located near the Portreath Treasure Park, The Track can be found on the B330 off the main A30 Penzance trunk road. Follow the signs for Redruth and Treasure Park and The Track is on your right just after a crossroads.
Grid ref: SW 69047 44105
Sat nav: TR16 4HW
Info: www.the-track.co.uk
Sweet single track and stunning views
Rocks and roots keep you on your guard as the trail traverses the hillside
The entrance to the Black option line