Rushmere Mountain Bike Trails

Rushmere mountain bike trails are based in Rushmere Park near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, on land managed by the Greensand Trust. The venue offers a graded cross country trail, a pump track and a family cycle trail, while the former Downhill Zone is no longer available and the Trust plans a wider redevelopment of cycling at the park. The terrain is wooded with a free draining sandy soil base that keeps the site rideable through most of the year. A permit is required to ride the cross country trail; the pump track and family trail are free to use.

The Trails

Rushmere Country Park sits on wooded, sandy terrain that the Greensand Trust says keeps the site rideable through most of the year. There are three trail types currently open to ride: the Ridge Riders Cross Country Trail, a pump track and a family cycle trail. The former Ridge Riders Downhill Zone is no longer available, see below.

Ridge Riders Cross Country Trail

• Around 6km of singletrack circling most of the park, mixing purpose-built and natural features. It is graded blue with red sections, marked with red topped posts.
• Shared paths: you may encounter walkers, horse riders and, on some sections, vehicles. Take care, warn other users of your approach and reduce your speed.
• Aimed at experienced mountain bikers; not suitable for younger or inexperienced riders.
• Requires a Greensand Cycle Pass, see Permit and Parking below.

Pump Track

• A short pump track with rollers, berms and jumps, located near the former Downhill Zone and reachable from the Family Cycle Trail. Free to use, no cycle pass required.

Family Cycle Trail

• A circular route starting next to the visitor centre, following blue marker posts through woodland, aimed at riders aged 4 to 12. Free to use, no cycle pass required, though standard parking charges apply. The loop links into the pump track.

Downhill Zone and Redevelopment

• The Ridge Riders Downhill Zone is no longer available. Its jumps were removed during woodland management work that began in December 2025, and the Greensand Trust has said it will not reinstate a facility with features equivalent to it.
• In October 2026 the Trust published a brief for redeveloping cycling at the park around an all-abilities cross country loop with green, blue and red trails, skills areas for children and beginners, and an improved pump track. Proposals are due in February 2027, with a phased build to follow. Read the full story.
• Rushmere's trails are subject to periodic closures and diversions for woodland management and safety work. Always check the Greensand Trust's cycling page for the latest status before you travel.

Permit and Parking

• A Greensand Cycle Pass is required to ride the Ridge Riders Cross Country Trail (the pump track and family trail are free). Passes are available as a single day (£10, or £20 for a family day pass), 6 month (£40, £44 with Gift Aid) or annual (£80, £88 with Gift Aid; £160, £176 with Gift Aid for an annual family pass). Buy a pass here. Purchase of a Greensand Cycle Pass does not include the parking fee.
• Parking uses an automatic number plate recognition system with tiered charges: up to 1 hour £3, 1 to 3 hours £5, over 3 hours £7, payable before you leave. An annual Greensand Parking Pass is available for £77 (£85 with Gift Aid) for regular visitors.
• Prices correct as of September 2026 but subject to change, check the website.

Local Organisations

• Rushmere Country Park is managed by the Greensand Trust, an environmental charity that maintains the trails, visitor centre and wider park. A trail map is available to download here.

Nearby Riding

• Woburn Bike Trails in Aspley Woods is close by, and Woburn Bike Park is being rebuilt next to it.
• Chicksands Bike Park, near Shefford, has dirt jumps, a 4X track, pump tracks and short downhill runs.

Getting Here

• Rushmere Country Park is off Linslade Road, Heath and Reach, near Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 0EB. There are two car parks: the main car park at the Herons' View Visitor Centre off Linslade Road, open 8am to 8pm with last entry at 7:30pm, and a smaller Stockgrove car park off Brickhill Road with limited spaces, opening from around 9:30am.
• Parking uses an automatic number plate recognition system, see Permit and Parking above.

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