Review for Hamsterley Forest MTB Trails

Martin Townsend:

I live only ten minutes from Hamsterley so of course it suites me but its only 30-40 minutes from most of Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham etc. and seems to get plenty of visitors from further afield too. Never seems to get too busy and mid week you practically have the place to yourself. Summer evenings after work are excellent, though here are organised night rides in the darker months. Have been visiting every week or two for the last couple of years, but still keep finding new sections of trail. There are a few comments about the fire road climbs but more up means more down, and the network of roads are still very natural and can take you deep into the valleys or onto the moors. Always makes me smile!

Variety of trails in distinct sections so can be mixed or extended whatever type or length of ride you fancy. As everyone follows different routes, it never seems busy once you get away from the car park. Everything from fast flowy trails through forests, to long cross country treks over the moors or rooty rocky technical sections. Downhill is not my thing but it looks like the Descend Downhill park looks to have all kinds of variety in jumps, drops, 4x track and super steep sections, with uplift facilities (for a fee and with appropriate safety gear). Friendly locals - good car park craic and trail banter. Plenty of picnic areas, kids play areas, non bike areas etc to keep the rest of the family occupied while you ride. Separate trails for bikes, walkers, and horse riders, but even on the shared tracks everyone seems to get along fine. The Cross Keys pub in Hamsterley village.