Hopton Wood Mountain Biking

Hopton Wood Mountain Biking

Hopton Wood mountain bike base sits in Forestry England woodland near Craven Arms in Shropshire, developed and managed in partnership with Pearce Cycles of Ludlow. There's a short blue warm-up loop and red Qualifier extension from the main car park, a longer 4km blue loop from Bedstone Hill car park, the 12.6km red Pearce XC trail, and three black-graded downhill sections. Facilities are limited, so come prepared.

The Trails

• Warm-up Loop (Blue): A short 1.1km loop of berms, flat corners and mellow climbs from the main Hopton Wood car park.
• Qualifier (Red): A short extension off the Warm-up Loop introducing some of the technical features found on the Pearce XC trail.
• Hopton Blue (Blue): Around 4km of wide track made up of two loops, starting from Bedstone Hill car park. Good for beginner riders with some off-road experience.
• Pearce XC (Red): A 12.6km circular route with switchback climbs, flowing descents and technical, rocky, rooty downhill sections. Some sections are shared use, so keep an eye out for walkers, dogs and horses.
• Hopton Downhills (Black): Three distinct downhill sections built in partnership with Pearce Cycles, featuring stumps, tabletops, doubles, rock drops and root sections. For experienced riders.

All trails at Hopton are largely unsurfaced natural terrain, so conditions vary with the weather and season.

Nearest Bike Shop

• Pearce Cycles in Ludlow built and continue to manage the trails in partnership with Forestry England, and run uplift days and an annual downhill race series here.

Groups and Clubs

• Try the Our Local Woods Facebook page for local updates.

Getting Here

• Hopton Wood is eight miles west of Craven Arms, off the B4385 to Clun, next to the village of Hopton Castle.
• Hopton Wood Car Park (SY7 0QF) is the main trailhead for the Warm-up Loop, Qualifier, Pearce XC and the downhill sections, with picnic tables on site.
• Bedstone Hill Car Park (SY7 0BG) gives access to the Hopton Blue trail: from the B4367 turn into Bedstone village, take the left turn signposted for Mynd, then the first right signposted for Darky Dale.
• Both car parks are free, with access year-round.

Share

• If you have ridden the trails here at Hopton Wood then please share your experience and write a review.