The best MTB trails around the City of London

There are over 60 mountain bike trails around the City of London listed on komoot. These routes cater to various skill levels, with 32 easy, 32 moderate, and 2 difficult options available for exploration.

Yes, there are over 30 easy mountain bike routes available. For a structured and accessible experience, consider routes around dedicated facilities like the Victoria Park – Lee Valley VeloPark Velodrome loop from Hoxton, which is an easy 9.9-mile path. Another option is The View Tube Cafe – Lee Valley VeloPark Velodrome loop from Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, an easy 6.3-mile route.

For those seeking a challenge, the wider London area offers more demanding terrain. While only two routes are specifically graded as difficult in the immediate vicinity, the Denbies Wine Estate – Wimbledon Common — Dirt Climb loop from Sloane Square is a challenging 67.1-mile route with significant elevation gain. Further afield, areas like the Surrey Hills and Aston Hill Bike Park in the Chilterns are renowned for their technical singletrack and downhill trails.

Many of the easier routes are suitable for families, especially those in parks or dedicated cycling facilities. Lee Valley VeloPark offers purpose-built tracks that can be great for various ages. Additionally, the paths within Richmond Park, though not exclusively mountain biking trails, provide a scenic and generally flat environment for family rides.

The terrain varies significantly. Within Greater London, you'll find urban green spaces, river floodplains, and dedicated cycling facilities. As you venture further out, areas like Epping Forest offer undulating hills and dense ancient woodland, while the Surrey Hills feature hand-shaped singletrack through forests with soft, loamy dirt. Swinley Forest is known for its sandy soil, making it an excellent all-weather option.

Yes, many routes offer scenic views, especially those that traverse London's extensive green spaces and river paths. The View from Pole Hill Obelisk – Strawberry Hill Ponds loop from Heron Quays provides scenic sections. Richmond Park, while not exclusively MTB, offers panoramic views of London and is known for its deer-filled landscapes. Epping Forest also provides picturesque ancient woodland scenery.

Most of the mountain bike routes listed on komoot around the City of London are designed as circular loops, allowing you to start and finish at the same point. Examples include the Hackney Marshes – Hollow Pond loop from Shadwell DLR and the Highams Park Boating Lake – Strawberry Hill Ponds loop from Elephant & Castle.

While the immediate City of London is not ideal for mountain biking, some routes pass near significant landmarks or offer views of them. For instance, you might catch glimpses of iconic structures like the Millennium Bridge or the London Eye from certain paths. The Brunel Museum – Stave Hill Viewpoint loop from Rotherhithe passes by the historic Brunel Museum.

Many trails in Greater London are well-connected by public transport. Routes starting from areas like Whitechapel, Hoxton, and Shadwell DLR are easily reachable by London's extensive public transport network. For example, the Princess of Wales Pub & Garden – Tottenham Marshes loop from Whitechapel starts from a well-connected area.

The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.5 stars from over 70 reviews. Reviewers often praise the surprising amount of green space and varied terrain available so close to a major city, from urban park paths to more natural woodland trails. The accessibility of many routes via public transport is also frequently highlighted.

While popular spots like Epping Forest and Surrey Hills can get busy, exploring routes during off-peak hours or on weekdays can help. Some of the longer routes that venture further from central London, such as the Kingston Gate, Richmond Park – Clapham Common Bandstand loop from Nine Elms, might offer a more spread-out experience compared to the most central park loops.

Yes, many routes, especially those passing through towns or villages on the outskirts of London, offer opportunities for cafe or pub stops. The Princess of Wales Pub & Garden – Tottenham Marshes loop from Whitechapel, as its name suggests, starts near a pub. Exploring routes in areas like Epping Forest or the Surrey Hills will often lead you past charming establishments perfect for a break.