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Swinley Forest Mountain Bike Centre
Avg 3.92
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup
Number of Reviews (64)

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

  • Information:
  • Type: Purpose Built Centre
  • Grades: Green,Blue,Red,Black,Ungraded,Forest Road
  • Riding: Cross Country,Downhill,Wild Trails,Skills Area,Bike Park
  • Facilities: Car Park,Toilets,Visitors Centre,Cafe,Bike Wash,Bike Hire,Bike Shop
  • Distance(s): Under 5km, 5-10km, 11-20km, 21- 30km
  • Country: England
  • County: Berkshire
  • Website: Swinley Forest
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Trail Network & Rider Segments

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Description

Swinley Forest Mountain Bike Centre is in Bracknell, England and consists of red, blue and green XC trails, a skills area, and a few Downhill tracks. Swinley Forest is quite sandy so holds dry well in the winter and rainy months. All trail maintenance, design and construction at Swinley is Managed by Earthworx Trail Co in conjunction with The Crown Estate 

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Blue Loop

  • The Blue moderately graded route is 10.1km long. The Blue is built for novices and its aim is to inspire confidence. You leave the Lookout past the trig point on Gravel Hill. You then descend to a bermed, single-track section then through a pine forest and finish through Windsor Ride to New England Hill. Incorporates "Full Nine Yards", "Devils Highway" and "Stickler". Around The Stickler point, you have the choice of continuing the blue back or taking on the Red. 

Red Loop

  • The Red graded loop is 13km long and connects sections such as Seagull, Tank Traps, Whole Nine Yards, Deerstalker and Labyrinth into a loop.
  • The route continues from the Blue as described above. You enter Tank Traps and then on to Crowthorne Reservoir. On to Satan's Grotto with its tight twisty single track and then crossing Devils Highway onto Seagull. Follows the forest road to Surrey Hill Reservoir down the "F1" descent into the forest then up the tough Boardwalk climb. Down to Deerstalker, through the Labyrinth out onto the forest ride. Some more Forest Road sections till you hit Cobblers before returning on the blue trail back. 
  • For clarity, the Red starts at pretty much the midpoint of the Blue and returns at its end again along the Blue.
  • Along the red route you can diverge onto a neat jump line (splits into two options to step it up a gear). This line(s) can be sessioned over and over to improve those skills.

Green Loop 

  • The Green graded Loop is for families and beginners and is 1.2km long. It has gentle dips and rises on a wide track. 

Downhill Area’s 

  • There are a few short downhill runs dotted along the way off the red route at the mid way point.
  • In the downhill area (around Red Route marker 10) you will find the rebuilt red graded line that replaces the old Bikini Line, running straight from top to bottom with features all the way down and no mid trail pull outs or cut ins.
  • Babymaker is a separate red graded jump line with berms and tabletops that can be sessioned from the same push up.
  • The same small hillside also includes a handful of other short red descents and jump lines, including, Berminator and Deer Stalker, giving a compact cluster of gravity focused options beside the main red route.

The Summit - Skills Area 

  • The Summit is a purpose-built skills area with trails and features ranging from green to black. It’s designed for riders of all abilities to build confidence, work on technique, and progress at their own pace. The Summit is run by Swinley Bike Hub (shop found on trail centre) 
  • Day access is available through single-session passes (£10 adult / £7 under 18), along with 5-credit passes and monthly memberships for regular riders
  • The area is open via bookable sessions, with online registration and a signed waiver required. Sessions are staffed by first-aid-trained managers, and riders are responsible for choosing features within their ability level. Includes:
    • Berms and rollers
    • Tabletops and gap jumps
    • Wooden drops
    • Flow trails
    • Tech trails
    • Graded progression from green to black

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Share

  • If you have ridden the mountain bike trails at Swinley Forest then please share your experiences and post your reviews, pictures and videos to this listing. 
John691:
Avg 4.02
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

I am lucky enough to live local so ride every week. Swinley is mainly cross country style course and the forest is a tranquil place to escape for a few hours. Would highly recommend it!

What do you like?

Trails are useable year round and this means it's very popular. Green route is short but fun and blue route has a bit of every thing. Red is a longer loop with some great fun down hills and small climbs.

What could be improved?

Car park can get very busy at weekends so either arrive early or in summer 4pm is a good time to have the trails to yourself. Remember to pay for parking ticket as wardens do patrol throughout the day. Cafe has basic snacks covered but don't expect a huge choice of full meals.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

25/03/2017 - almost 9 years ago

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1
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Jonbmx900:
Avg 3.89
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Swinley forest fun

Good fun trails rideable in all weathers

What do you like?

Good fun trails rideable in all weathers

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

25/03/2017 - almost 9 years ago

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1
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Jason Nessling :
Avg 4.22
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Early risers get empty trails

Started out as a couple of times a year visit not we go pretty much every other week - quick run up M3 from Southampton be great when roadworks are finished Get there early and empty trails

What do you like?

Great trails get there early and pretty clear runs

What could be improved?

No changing and limited toilet facilities

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

23/11/2016 - about 9 years ago

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1
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Carl Oakley:
Avg 4.77
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Awesome

Swinley is great fun. I learned most of my skills here. The fatser you ride the more challenging the trails become. I always end up smiling!

What do you like?

All weather trails Easy access Trails for all levels Great riders everywhere Good facilities, cafe and WC Excellent bike shop! Bike wash Great trails and great fun

What could be improved?

Sometimes hard to park

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

24/10/2016 - about 9 years ago

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0
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Mark Jeffery:
Avg 4.17
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Great local facility

The Golden Retriever makes a good post ride drink / meal!

What do you like?

It is amazing how they fit it all in! Very close to my place of work, and so ideal for a post work Monday night ride. At this time of day (even in the summer), the trails are very quiet. The facilities are excellent, and the more I have ridden here, the better I ride! Fantastic value, as it is just the cost of parking.

What could be improved?

As good as it is, I think I would get bored of it after a while. It would be great if there was a way to do evening hire for bikes (for mates that don't have an MTB)

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

23/10/2016 - about 9 years ago

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2
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Andrew Wyatt:
Avg 4.00
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Swinley Forest

I live locally and feel so lucky to have this on my doorstep.

What do you like?

Maintained trails, well marked. Great job done in design and grading. Has something for most everyone.

What could be improved?

Not enough parking at weekends.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

23/10/2016 - about 9 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

0
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