Macclesfield Forest

Macclesfield Forest is a decent place for beginners to XC as well as for the experienced rider to base themselves for a Peak District adventure.

Macclesfield Forest

Macclesfield Forest is a good base for beginners tackling cross-country as well as experienced riders using it as a launchpad into the wider Peak District. Expect natural, ungraded trails through forest and onto the surrounding moorland bridleways, with routes from short loops to epic all-day rides.

The Trails

• Charity Lane and Bottom of the Oven: the forest's best-known natural descents, part of the classic Macclesfield Forest circuit.
• Cumberland Brook: another established local route linking into the wider forest network.
• Forest tracks connect directly onto Peak District bridleways for longer rides onto the moors.
• Trails are natural and ungraded; conditions vary with weather and forestry operations, so check current status before you ride.

Facilities

• Pay and display car park at the Trentabank visitor centre, with a small cafe, toilets and picnic areas.
• Smaller car parks at Standing Stone and in forest lay-bys.

Getting Here

• Trentabank Car Park, Clarke Lane, Sutton, Macclesfield, SK11 0NS — pay and display, open 6am to midnight.
• Alternative parking at Standing Stone Car Park on the forest's eastern edge, and small lay-bys elsewhere in the forest.
• Easiest access is from Macclesfield through Langley; forest roads are quiet lanes shared with walkers and horse riders, and can be blocked in winter.

Local Organisation

• Peak District MTB is the mountain biking advocacy group for the wider area: peakdistrictmtb.org and their Facebook group.

Share

• If you have ridden the mountain bike trails in Macclesfield Forest then please share your experiences by posting a review, picture or video to the listing.