Distance from Peaks and Pods: The Hub (car parking, toilets and café, and the start of most trails) – five miles, Tosside (entrance to the forest for mountain bikers) – two miles
Information – forestryengland.uk/gisburn-forest-and-stocks
Gisburn Forest is a superb destination for mountain bikers, walkers, families and people who just enjoy a trip somewhere different to eat. Facilities include a large car park, excellent toilets, information boards and leaflets, cafe with plenty of inside and outside seating, (even sofas upstairs!).
The forest is a perfect destination for mountain bikers, and more details for cyclists can be found on our Cycling tab, and at forestryengland.uk/gisburn-forest-and-stocks/cycling-and-mountain-biking-trails. It’s perfect for riders of all abilities – you’ll be hooked! Bike hire is available.
Stretch your legs and walk on one of the many trails through Gisburn Forest, most starting from Stocks Reservoir car park, with a link trail to and from Gisburn Forest Hub. The Gisburn Forest website has details of five different walks of varying difficulty for all ages and abilities – forestryengland.uk/gisburn-forest-and-stocks/walking-trails .
Details of a walk round Gisburn Forest – where2walk.co.uk/walk/exploring-walk-gisburn-forest/
If you chose to walk all round Stocks Reservoir you’ll find the tackle shop across the reservoir, which has toilets and some basic refreshments. Find out more on our Walking and Outdoors tab.
Details of a walk round Stocks Reservoir – where2walk.co.uk/walk/walk-round-stocks-reservoir/
Eating and drinking
Whilst exploring the surroundings of Gisburn Forest take time to sample the delicious food, drinks and ice cream at the Gisburn Forest Hub Cafe. It doesn’t matter whether you’re caked in mud or not, you’ll always get a warm welcome. If you really want to relax, there’s a spacious dining area upstairs with cosy leather sofas. (We can recommend the coffee!)
All being well, the cafe takes cards for payment, although there are occasions that the Wifi signal is poor so take cash just in case.
Dark Skies
There’s no better time to explore the Forest of Bowland’s dark skies thanks to a national initiative that has recently given Gisburn Forest ‘Dark Sky Discovery Site’ status. Dark Sky Discovery Sites are recognised by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership as places within the UK that are both dark and easily accessible, but where it is possible to observe the spectacle of the Milky Way or the constellations, such as Orion, with the naked eye.
Astronomer Robert Ince runs events at Discovery site locations when glittering star clusters and magnificent constellations like Orion grace the sky, and when the Milky Way is overhead and meteor showers can put on an amazing show.