Sections of the Blue trail at Gisburn Forest have been upgraded following improvement works commissioned by Forestry England and delivered by Velosolutions UK. The works focused on making parts of the route more suitable for adaptive bikes, widening access and refining trail shape to improve flow. Velosolutions UK confirmed they were appointed to carry out improvements on “a couple of sections” of the MTB trail, with riders already reporting smoother, more open lines through the updated areas.

While the core aim was accessibility, the builders also noted minor tweaks to enhance ride feel, with reshaped features designed to maintain momentum and improve consistency through key sections.

What we know

• Forestry England appointed Velosolutions UK to carry out improvement works.
• Upgrades were made to sections of the Blue trail.
• The focus was on improving suitability for adaptive bikes.
• Additional refinements were made to increase trail flow.

What we don’t know

• The exact length of trail upgraded.
• Whether further sections are planned for similar treatment.

Wider offering at Gisburn Forest

Gisburn Forest Mountain Bike Trail Centre offers a mix of waymarked cross-country loops and natural-feeling singletrack set within the Forest of Bowland. The Blue route provides an intermediate-level loop with purpose-built berms, rollers and flowing woodland sections, while the longer Red route adds steeper descents and more technical features. Facilities include a main trailhead, café, bike wash and car parking, making it a well-established North West trail centre.

You can find full details of the trails, grading and facilities in our trail listing here: Gisburn Forest Mountain Bike Trail Centre.

Adaptive mountain biking context

Improving access for adaptive riders is part of a wider shift across UK trail centres. If you’re new to adaptive mountain biking, or want to understand what to expect in terms of trail grading, surface width and facilities, we’ve put together a practical guide covering where to ride, what to look for, and how to get started: Adaptive mountain biking in the UK.

If you’ve ridden the updated sections, feel free to share an update in the comments.