Description
Haldon Forest Mountain Bike Trails sit within Haldon Forest Park, a 1,500-hectare (around 3,700-acre) Forestry England woodland high on the Haldon Ridge, about 15 minutes from Exeter, Devon. The park is home to five trails from green to black, plus a bike skills area and pump track, and the fully surfaced Discovery Trail doubles up nicely as a gravel ride.
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Discovery Trail (Green, Multi-Use)
- The Discovery Trail is an easy, family-friendly 1.5-mile (2.5km) route on a fully surfaced track, finishing at the Bullers Hill picnic area. It's shared with walkers and other visitors, and its smooth surface makes it accessible for pushchairs, wheelchairs and mobility scooters, as well as gravel bikes.
Spicers (Blue)
- Spicers is 2.3 miles (3.7km) and stays up on the ridge line, a good step up from Discovery. There's a short two-way traffic section near the start.
Kiddens (Blue)
- Kiddens is a 4.0-mile (6.4km) blue trail and a good progression from Spicers, with more challenging terrain and greater changes in gradient.
Ridge Ride (Red)
- Ridge Ride is 6 miles (9.6km) and graded red, a technical, fast and flowing trail that follows the Haldon Ridge with tight corners and lively descents.
Freers Loop (Black)
- Freers Loop is a short, optional 0.6-mile (0.9km) black loop off Ridge Ride, with roots, rocks, berms, drops and a step down for experienced riders. Hire bikes aren't permitted on it.
Bike Skills Area and Pump Track
- The skills area and pump track are built around progressive skills development, with easy, medium and hard lines so riders can build confidence before heading out onto the trails.
Off Piste
- As with most MTB areas, there's a scattering of unsanctioned off-piste trails around the forest.
Local Cycling Club
- Exeter Mountain Bike Club (EMBC) is based at Haldon Forest Park, running regular club rides, weekly women's rides and Go-Ride skills coaching for adults and children.
Getting Here
- By car: leave the A38 at the exit for Exeter Racecourse (there are no slip roads for this turning), continue past the racecourse and follow the signs for Haldon Forest Park. The main car park, Haldon Gateway, is signposted further along the road on the left.
- Trails at Haldon Forest Park are subject to periodic closures and diversions for forestry operations. Always check the Forestry England Haldon Forest Park page for current alerts before travelling.
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