Description
Thetford Forest's High Lodge site, on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, has green, blue and red graded trails plus a pump track and the newer Pedal and Play skills loops for younger riders. The forest's flat, sandy fire roads also carry a proper gravel scene, home to the annual Thetford Forest Trophy gravel race.
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The Trails
- Lime Burner (Red, 15km): Varied, changeable surface with drop-offs, sweeping singletrack and rock features. Madgetts Pit, an optional black-graded feature, is severe and challenging, unsuitable for children's bikes or tag-alongs.
- Beater (Blue, 18km, 10km short option): Mostly singletrack winding through the trees and over roots. Not suitable for trailers, tag-alongs or bikes with child seats.
- Shepherd (Green, 8km, 5.5km short option): Flat, wide, mostly gravel forest roads and tracks, appropriate for most bikes including tagalongs, trailers and child seats. Note: the trail's start point was relocated in July 2025, so check current on-site signage.
- Pump Track: A small pump track for progressive skill development, recently resurfaced.
- Pedal and Play (Green, opened April 2025): Four green graded loops with progressive blue opt-ins, around 2km of dedicated off-road track, built for riders aged 3 and up.
- Poacher Trail (Brandon Country Park, around 9-10km): A separate site south of High Lodge that can be linked via the Shepherd Trail.
- Off Piste: A selection of unsanctioned, natural-feel trails, mainly on the Brandon side.
Gravel Riding
Thetford's flat, sandy forest roads support a genuine gravel scene beyond the singletrack: the annual Thetford Forest Trophy, part of the British Gravel Trophy series, runs from High Lodge on repeated forest-road and hardpack loops totalling around 55-60km, and the Suffolk Gravel X events use the same network. Even the green Shepherd Trail is substantially fire-road and hardpack in character.
Beyond the Trails
High Lodge is a full family day out alongside the riding: Go Ape's high ropes course, play areas, adventure golf, archery and disc golf, plus the seasonal "Room on the Broom" family trail. There's a cafe and visitor centre on site.
Local Organisation
Getting Here
High Lodge is off the B1107 between Brandon and Thetford, just off the A11 (IP27 0AF). Bike Art, the on-site bike shop, does cycle hire (bookings by phone only, 01842 810090). A downloadable trail map is available here.
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