Cannock Chase Mountain Bike Trails

Description

Cannock Chase Mountain Bike Centre has 2 red mountain bike trails known as Follow The Dog and The Monkey Trail (with black sections dotted throughout). There is also the green Fairoak and the blue Perry's trail.

Nearby is also a set of sister downhill trails in Stile Cop known as Stile Cop Downhill (just off Stile Cop road). 

Follow the Dog (Red)

• Follow the Dog at Cannock Chase is a red graded 6.8 miles (10.9km) intermediate mountain bike trail aimed at competent mountain bikers. This trail was designed and built by Chase Trails in 2005.
• Highlights include 'Twist and Shout', 'High Voltage', 'Son of Chainslapper', and 'Snakes 'n' Adders'.
• The trail consists of flowing singletrack, great views, climbs, fun descents, boardwalks, rollers, jumps, drop offs, berms, step ups, step downs and rock gardens.
• There are a number of optional black sections on this trail. For example 'The Head Banger'is a short black-graded section. It is near the start of Let Loose, with two boardwalks, a rock qualifier, and technically challenging rock garden.

The Monkey Trail (Red with Black Options)

• The Monkey Trail joins the Follow the Dog half way round. It's a red graded trail but this time it’s a more technically challenging and demanding trail than Follow the Dog. It is 7.4 miles long but put together with the Follow the Dog it is just over 14 miles (22.6km) long and includes bigger climbs, more technical descents and optional black graded lines.
• The trail launched in 2010 is intended for the experienced and technically competent rider.  Some of the renowned sections to look out for are Monkey's Uncle, Upper and Lower Cliff, Rainbow Valley, Over the Rainbow, Deerskull, Pot of Gold and Roller Coaster.
• In 2023 a new section between Deer Skull and The Original Monkey opened called 'Old Father Time'. The section has been chosen as a memorial to Martin one of the Chase Trails volunteers who passed away in 2020.
• The terrain is loose stones, roots, mud, steep climbs, technical descents, flowing singletrack, large berms, step ups, step downs, rock gardens, boardwalks, rollers, jumps and drop offs.
• There is also a 1km long descent on the Monkey Trail called the Five Ways Descent.
• The black sections are optional but once on them include large and unavoidable rocks and rock gardens.

Fairoak Trail - Green

• There is also a Green graded trail suitable for families and beginners called The Fairoak Trail which is 2.5 miles(4km) long. There is one gentle climb back to the Forest centre. Surface is mostly smooth.

Perry's Trail - Blue

• Perry's Trail is a blue graded 2.7m (4.3km) route built in 2021. The surface is smooth with some loose stone and muddy areas. Expect flowing singletrack, gentle berms, rollers, gradual climbs and rollable rock gardens. The highlight is a fun, fast, flowing descent. There are also three optional red sections to push your skills.

Stile Cop Downhill

• A number of red and black graded short downhill runs making good use of the 65-metre hill. All of the runs end in the same place at the bottom of the hill. There is no uplift service but it is only approximately 10 mins to push up. The site is free to ride. NB This is a nearby but different site (see the separate listing).

Groups and Clubs

The XC trails are managed in partnership with Forestry England by Chase Trails. Chase Trails also managed Stile Cop downhill until 2016 when the Racers Guild team took over.

Other Stuff

• Pegasus MTB coach in this area and the surrounding region.
• Cannock Chase Cycle Centre is the onsite bike shop
• There are unsanctioned trails in the region also.

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• If you have ridden any of these trails at Cannock Chase then why not share your experience with us and write a short review, post a picture, video or favourite the trail.