Description
Whippy Trails, also known as Whippendell Bike Park, is a free, purpose-built mountain bike area developed by BikePark Chilterns CIC in partnership with Watford Borough Council inside Whippendell Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest on the edge of Watford town centre. It opened in October 2025 as one of the UK's first council-led, semi-urban bike parks, built to replace the unauthorised trails that had grown up across the woods and to protect the ancient woodland's habitats. There is one blue and one red graded trail, both free to ride.
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The Trails
Two waymarked, machine-built trails run through the woods, both designed with rollable features so riders can take berms and jumps at their own pace and progress at their own speed.
- Blue Trail: flowing, accessible singletrack with rollers, jumps and berms, built for intermediate and progressing riders and for a "doorstep to trail" loop close to Watford and Croxley Green.
- Red Trail: builds on the blue line with tighter turns, bigger jumps and more technical features for confident riders, while keeping every feature rollable.
A further two phases of development are planned for the wider woodland, though no dates have been confirmed yet.
Coaching
BikePark Chilterns CIC runs group and one-to-one coaching at Whippy Trails in partnership with Firecrest MTB, whose junior DeVo programmes are recognised by British Cycling. Sessions cover jumps and drops, cornering and technical singletrack for riders of most ages, with one-to-one coaching from around ยฃ25 per person for a three-hour session, plus subsidised places for young riders from disadvantaged backgrounds. Prices are correct as of September 2026 but subject to change, so check whippytrails.com for current sessions and rates before you book.
Community and Membership
The project is predominantly funded through the Watford Neighbourhood Grant and aims to support health, wellbeing and inclusive access to off-road cycling for local residents. Riding the trails is free. BikePark Chilterns also offers an optional Community Membership, from ยฃ2.50 a month for under-18s and ยฃ3.50 a month for adults, which goes toward trail upkeep and future development and includes volunteering opportunities, event discounts and reduced day-pass rates at the CIC's paid sites. Prices are correct as of September 2026 but subject to change, so check bikeparkchilterns.com before you join.
The same CIC also runs Aston Hill Bike Park in the Chilterns, currently being rebuilt with a new trail network and targeting a 2026 reopening.
Getting Here
Parking is available at the free Grove Mill Lane car park (WD17), with an alternative car park on Rousebarn Lane. By car, the site is reached via M25 Junction 19 and the A411 Hempstead Road. By bike, it's accessible directly from Watford town centre and Croxley Green. There are no toilets or cafe at the trailhead itself; the nearest facilities are a short walk or drive away at The Hub in Cassiobury Park.
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