The BBC reported this week that  'Illegal' bike trails dismantled amid safety fears" in Puddletown Forest, in Dorset. They go on to state all these trails were built without permission.

According to Trailforks there looks like around 20 trails in the woods and it is clear these are established trails for decades. Although we understand that not all the trails will be dismantled this is yet another example of how fragile and unprotected the UK Mountain bike community is and so another reason to support and get involved with the UK MTB Trail Alliance who have organised to protect our trail network in the UK. 

The Forestry England site states:

We support mountain biking in the nation’s forests, and we love seeing people enjoying spending time in nature. Unfortunately, mountain bike trails in Puddletown Forest are unauthorised which means they have been built without our permission. 

These big features are being removed because they’re dangerous and have been built without considering other visitors’ safety and don’t seem to care about how they might impact the wildlife and archaeology that’s there.  

They’re also damaging the soil, trees and biodiversity of the woodland. We hope that removing some of these trails will keep visitors safe as they enjoy the forest using the formal forest road network to walk and cycle.

Many of Forestry England’s team are riders themselves and appreciate that the unauthorised bike trails at Puddletown Forest are much loved by many, however, the potential risks of the big features that have been built can’t be ignored. We must prioritise the safety of all forest users and the environment.

We are the tenant of Puddletown Forest, located near Dorchester. It's leased to us for the purpose of growing timber and public access to the area is restricted to public rights of way only.

People can walk or cycle along the public rights of way and rediscover the beauty of the conifer tree without having to abandon any love of the broadleaf, as here they exist harmoniously side by side, branches softly creaking in the wind together.

The Forest has historic and ecological importance - it's home to rare insects, ground nesting birds such as woodlark and native reptiles in particular sand lizards and smooth snakes.

The work to dismantle started Jan 27th and will complete in around a fortnight. Hopefully Forestry England and the local trail community find a way forward to re-instate what is clearly a popular ride spot in Dorset. If you are a local rider or part of the local community or Forestry England we would love you to share your thoughts and insight in the comments below. 

Read: 77 times Published: 08/02/2025