Hamsterley Forest MTB Trails

Hamsterley Forest mountain bike trails can be found near Bishop Auckland in County Durham, within a large Forestry England-managed woodland in the North East of England. The forest offers a broad mix of waymarked cross-country mountain bike trails, newer Forestry England-developed routes, a dedicated skills loop, longer off-road cycle routes, and a separate downhill bike park.

The core XC trail network is supported by the local volunteer group Hamsterley TrailBlazers, working alongside Forestry England. Several newer routes have been developed directly by Forestry England as part of its wider cycling programme.

There is also Danny Hart’s Descend Bike Park, a dedicated downhill and 4X facility within the forest. This operates independently from the XC trail network and has its own separate iBikeRide listing.

Hamsterley Forest MTB Trails

Squirrel Chaser (Blue)

• Squirrel Chaser is a blue-grade cycle trail developed by Forestry England, opened in April 2025
• The trail is being delivered in phases, with the final length intended to be between 11- 15km and more than 50% new singletrack.
• Phases 1 and 2 are complete, but we expect a further phase 3 in the winter of 2026, so watch this space.
• Currently, a short loop of 8.4 km (5.2 miles) or a longer figure-of-8 route of 13.3 km (8.3 miles).
• The trail combines forest roads, riverside paths, and purpose-built singletrack, including a 1.6 km progressive section known as Oakey Cokey, with swooping descents, rollable rocky features, and a switchback climb.
• The Grove Link section follows a shared path with gentle rises and dips before joining a short forest drive into the singletrack.
• On the longer route, riders can return via a scenic path alongside Ayhope Beck, or cross a narrow footbridge to tackle a switchback climb and descent deeper into the forest.
• The trail is signed as suitable for adaptive mountain bikes.
• Note: the footbridge between the Short and the Long Loop currently requires riders to dismount and push their bike up a step.
• Part-funded by the UK government and Forestry England.

Skills Loop

• The Skills Loop is a short, purpose-built progression circuit near the Visitor Centre.
• Features include berms, drops, step-ups, and balance challenges, all with a blue-grade baseline and red and black options, allowing riders to choose their level of challenge.
• Designed as a warm-up or skills development area before heading out on the main trails.

The Big ’Un (Red)

• The Big 'Un is a red-grade cross-country trail of 13.25 miles (21.2 km), widely regarded as the main XC adventure at Hamsterley.
• The route combines steep climbs, water crossings, and far-reaching views with multiple sections of flowing and occasionally technical singletrack, totalling around five miles of singletrack overall.
• Access is from the Bedburn area of the forest, following red markers.
• The Hamster Wheel shortcut allows riders to loop back and session the best singletrack sections without completing the full route.

Transcend (Red)

• Transcend is a red-grade trail of 5.5 miles (8.6 km), shorter and less manicured than The Big 'Un.
• The route begins with a gnarly climb through the centre of Descend Bike Park, followed by three technical singletrack sections.
• Return sections are shared with The Edge, so riders should expect optional higher-grade challenges throughout.
• A good choice for riders wanting a more technical, rawer ride than the Big 'Un without committing to the full distance.

The Edge (Black)

• The Edge is the black-grade XC trail at Hamsterley Forest, covering 7 miles (11 km).
• The route opens with a technical climb into an area of fast-flowing singletrack, with several opportunities to leave the ground, before moving into a challenging mix of rocky and rooty sections linked by forest tracks and green lanes.
• Aimed at experienced riders comfortable with sustained technical terrain.
• Root 666, a steep and root-heavy descent, is one of the named technical sections on the route.

Natural and Off-Road Cycle Routes

• Hamsterley Forest includes longer natural and mixed-surface routes such as the Hamsterley Half Century, Doctors Gate, and Eggleston Moors routes.
• These are not formal trail-centre loops and are better suited to riders comfortable with navigation and varied terrain.

Ants in Yer Pants (Forest Road)

• Ants in Yer Pants is a 9 mile (14.6 km) forest road grade route following undulating tracks with a few short, steep climbs.
• The route follows Spurlswood Beck west to the valley end, returning via the gentle forest drive through open meadows and quiet picnic spots.
• Graded as a forest road trail: surfaces may be uneven, loose or potholed, and gradients can be steep or variable.
• A good introduction to gravel riding at Hamsterley, and accessible to riders comfortable with basic navigation.

Facilities

• Visitor Centre
• Café
• Toilets
• Multiple car parks, including the main Visitor Centre and Bedburn car park. Current charges (up to 1 hour £3.50, up to 2 hours £6.50, up to 4 hours £8, all day £9), payment by card or RingGo app, members park free)
• Waymarked trails and on-site signage

Directions

• Hamsterley Forest is located near Bishop Auckland in County Durham.
• Main access is via local roads from Bishop Auckland, with signed approaches to the Visitor Centre and Bedburn car park.
• Trail start points vary by route, with most XC trails beginning from the Visitor Centre area or Bedburn.

Useful Sites

• Forestry England – Hamsterley Forest
• Hamsterley TrailBlazers – volunteer group supporting the XC trails
• Descend Hamsterley – downhill bike park
• Hamsterley Riders – local rider community group
• Read about the future plans for the forest and visitor centre

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