We can’t get over how lucky we are here to have Gisburn Forest right on our doorstep – a real Mecca for mountain bikers. It’s perfect for an adrenaline-packed ride or a family-friendly pedal. Visit forestryengland.uk/gisburn-forest-and-stocks.
Most trails start from Gisburn Forest Hub – just five miles from Peaks and Pods by car. There’s a car park (pay and display), toilets, cafe and picnic area.
Glide easily along mellow trail by Bottoms Beck, twist and shout through Park Wood, dance with your bike down Hully Gully or grit your teeth and rush down the Bigfoot slab – everyone should find something that will make them grin.
Mountain bike hire
We’re blessed to have the wonderful Ebike Hire Centre just a couple of miles from Peaks of Pods in the next village of Tosside. Aran and his team are on hand to provide guests with the perfect mountain bike for either a full day, half day or twilight sessions, which includes helmet hire. There are bikes of all sizes, including children’s bikes, which are regularly serviced and maintained by expert bike mechanics.
Hire your bike from here and there’s an entrance into Gisburn Forest just 50 yards away. There’s route information and news on the website – ebikehirecentre.co.uk
Call Aran at the Ebike Hire Centre on 07596 148836 to discuss your requirements, or send an enquiry through this link – Ehire Bike Centre booking enquiry
Skills loop
The skills loop is located by the stone wall circle of Gisburn Forest Hub. Three linked, mini loops of trail offer progressively harder riding. The loops are packed with technical features and obstacles.
Bottoms Beck trail (5.5 miles / 9.5km)
This is a blue graded trail but has sections of green. Drop down the causeway over Stocks Reservoir and bounce along Eggberry Road. A mellow section of green trail follows an old railway line beside Bottoms Beck. Flow along the funky blue single track of Park Wood before swooping down from the top of Cocklet Hill.
The 8 – Elements of Blue, Red and Black Grade (11 miles / 18 km)
Laid out in a figure of 8, highlights on this trail include the volunteer built Home Baked sections, the gnarly Whelp Stone Crag and the optional section of black trail, the roller coaster ride of Hully Gully. This trail includes forest road, red and blue graded single track and some optional black grade features and sections on the way.
Hope Line and Leap of Faith – Orange Grade – Bike park (0.25 miles / 0.5km)
If you like your downhill bike trails twisty and fun then you will enjoy this trail. The Hope Line is a land of berms, jumps and drop-offs. The Leap of Faith is just that, grab your handlebars and go for it. Full face helmets and body armour needed for this trail.
Suitable for expert mountain bikers, used to physically demanding routes.
Road Directions to Gisburn Forest: From Clitheroe take the B6478 through Waddington, Newton and Slaidburn. Continue on the road out of Slaidburn for approx 3 miles, take a left turn to Gisburn Forest and Stephen Park. Gisburn Forest Hub and parking is the first right after Cocklet Hill.
From Long Preston take the B6478 through Wigglesworth and Tosside (approx 5 miles). Continue on the road through Tosside for approx 1.5 miles, take a right turn to Gisburn Forest and Stephen Park. Gisburn Forest Hub is the first right after Cocklet Hill.