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Hamsterley Forest MTB Trails

Hamsterley Forest MTB Trails
Avg 4.57
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup
Number of Reviews (216)

*You can claim this trail if you are the trail owner

  • Information:
  • Type: Purpose Built Centre
  • Grades: Blue,Red,Black,Accesible
  • Facilities: Car Park,Toilets,Visitors Centre,Cafe
  • Distance(s): Under 5km, 11-20km, 21-30km, 31km+
  • Country: England
  • County: Durham
  • Website: Hamsterley Forest
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Trail Network & Rider Segments

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Description

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.

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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

Blue Trail

  • The Blue Trail is a waymarked blue-grade cross-country route of approximately 9 miles.
  • The trail starts from the Visitor Centre area.
  • It uses a mix of purpose-built cycle track, forest road, and surfaced sections, making it suitable for newer and progressing riders.

Squirrel Chaser (Blue)

  • Squirrel Chaser is an 8.4 km (5.25 mile) blue-grade cycle trail developed by Forestry England.
  • Opened in April 2025, the route combines forest roads and riverside paths with around 2 km of new singletrack.
  • The singletrack section, known as Oakey Cokey, includes flowing descents, a switchback climb, and rollable rocky features.
  • The trail is signed as suitable for adaptive mountain bikes.
  • Phase 2 of Squirrel Chaser, known as Potato Hill, is under development and is planned to open by Easter 2026, extending the blue-grade route further into the forest while remaining suitable for non-standard cycles.

Skills Loop

  • The Skills Loop is a short, purpose-built progression circuit of around 1 mile.
  • It includes optional features graded from blue through to red and black.
  • The loop is designed to allow riders to choose their level of challenge rather than following a single graded line.

The Big ’Un (Red)

  • The Big ’Un is a red-grade cross-country mountain bike trail.
  • The route combines forest road climbs with sections of purpose-built singletrack.
  • It forms part of the main intermediate-level XC offering at Hamsterley Forest.
  • Access is commonly from the Bedburn area of the forest.

Transcend (Red)

  • Transcend is a separate red-grade mountain bike trail developed by Forestry England.
  • The route offers a longer, more flowing ride with extended climbs and descents.
  • Some sections link with or share parts of the wider trail network.

The Edge (Black)

  • The Edge is the black-grade XC trail at Hamsterley Forest.
  • The route features narrow singletrack, steep gradients, rooty terrain, and technical descents.
  • It is aimed at experienced riders comfortable with sustained technical riding.

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 is a waymarked off-road cycle route that primarily follows forest roads, offering a lower-technical riding option.

Facilities

  • Visitor Centre
  • Café
  • Toilets
  • Multiple car parks, including the main Visitor Centre and Bedburn car park
  • 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.

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Erica:
Avg 4.82
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Fun for all whatever the weather

Hamsterley is one of my favourite places to ride although as it is my local trail centre I may have a slightly bias view... It has fantastic flowing downhill sections that are split into a few areas which means any route/ride can be made up depending on available time/weather/riding companions. However this does require prior knowledge. When I rode it the very first time and probably very slowly, it felt like there was a lot of long arduous fireroad to be ridden which was only forgotton once I'd ridden down Transmission- Accelerator- Nitrous. I have rarely used the facilities as I'm only 15 minutes from home, however very nice cake in the café but the buildings/toilets all very dated compared to the likes of Dalby, Glentress. I have only recently discovered the skills loop but I'm very impressed with the length and variety of obstacles included. Perhaps this indicates that the signage could be better including escape routes.

What do you like?

Excellent flowing downhill sections Useful skills loop Varied terrain

What could be improved?

Dated café and information centre No escape routes signposted

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

17/11/2013 - about 12 years ago

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1
^
Davenewcastle1973:
Avg 4.88
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Great trails for all abilities

Get some local knowledge before you ride, mixing up the red and black gives a nice 9 mile red, missing out long tiring fire road slogs..

What do you like?

Fantastic variety of trails, with swooping flowing single track through to built trails with berms, drops and jumps to put a smile on your face..

What could be improved?

Facilities aren't great. Yes, there is a cafe, toils and a shop but in comparison to the likes of Glentress this is not up to scratch. Saying that though, compared to Newcastleton or Inners this is great!

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

17/11/2013 - about 12 years ago

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2
^
ian:
Avg 5.00
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

review

What do you like?

Plenty of trails to keep you happy all day long. Descend Downhill not for the faint harted.

What could be improved?

Just not long enough. But that’s all down to time and money

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

16/11/2013 - about 12 years ago

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1
^
Tibbort:
Avg 4.54
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Two great XC trails

The red and black trails are two routes of distinct character- The red route works out at about 21k. the majority of climbing is done on fire road which makes it easier, but there is one solid section of 4km to get you to the top of the hill. Local knowledge can help with finding a shortcut to some of the best downhill in England. The well maintained sections of Transmission, Accelerator and Nitrous are well worth the climb as they flow brilliantly. Not particularly steep but many berms, tabletops and jumps await. The black is shorter but makes up for this with its technical uphill and rooty descents. There is a great singletrack. This trail is a more "rough and ready" version of the red, the route has a more natural feel to it. Watch out for "Root 666"- the crown of a hill which contains the remains of many many trees- a real battle last winter when wet and puddly but not quite as difficult now drier.

What do you like?

Downhill is very well designed and maintained. Decent variety of routes. Free Parking at Blackling Hole. Light hire on Weds evenings for night riding

What could be improved?

Blue trail is either too easy or too steep for those who are unfit depending on what part you're on. Some very long fire road climbs.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

19/08/2013 - over 12 years ago

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1
^
kris:
Avg 4.61
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

nice trail

found this a well made and maintained trail the dh has routes for less concomfidant riders to progress while others can go big.

What do you like?

trail options, 4x xc and dh. flow

What could be improved?

no shop, port a loos

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

18/08/2013 - over 12 years ago

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1
^
cooke132:
Avg 4.33
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

section 13 resurfaced

They have resurfaced a large part of the trail making it flow epically and reducing the mud that just caused wipe outs. Also many of the other trails are undergoing maintenance, along with the rumor of new trails in an undisclosed location somewhere in the forest.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

30/05/2013 - over 12 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

2
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