The best MTB trails around St Leonard's Forest

St Leonard's Forest offers a diverse range of terrain for mountain biking. You'll find a mix of deciduous and coniferous woodlands, open glades, and stream-carved ghylls (steep-sided ravines). The trails utilize the UK/Euro style grading system, with options from fire roads to popular blue difficulty singletrack. The elevation varies from 40 meters to 145 meters, providing interesting topographical changes throughout your ride.

Yes, St Leonard's Forest has trails suitable for beginners. Out of 85 total mountain bike tours, 29 are classified as easy. An example of an easy route is the St Leonard's Forest loop from Oakhill, which is 7.6 miles (12.2 km) long and leads through varied woodlands.

You'll ride through the beautiful High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, encountering numerous ponds and streams, including historic 'hammer ponds' which are remnants of the area's iron industry. Keep an eye out for the legendary St. Leonard's Dragon Bench, which is part of the View of Hawkins Pond – St. Leonard's Dragon Bench loop from Faygate route.

There are over 80 mountain bike tours available in St Leonard's Forest, with 37 specifically designated for mountain biking. These range from easy loops to more challenging moderate routes, ensuring options for various skill levels.

Yes, for those looking for longer rides, routes like the Rudgwick Double Bridge – Wey & Arun Canal at Downs Link loop from Horsham offer a substantial challenge, covering over 60 km (37 miles) with moderate difficulty.

The mountain bike trails in St Leonard's Forest are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.4 stars from over 380 reviews. Riders often praise the varied woodlands, the stream-carved ghylls, and the well-maintained network of paths that cater to different ability levels.

Yes, e-biking is a popular activity in St Leonard's Forest. The diverse trail network and varied terrain, including some elevation changes, make it an enjoyable area for electric mountain bikes.

Many of the mountain bike routes in St Leonard's Forest are designed as loops. For example, the St Leonard's Forest – St. Leonard's Dragon Bench loop from Horsham offers a moderate 23.3 km (14.5 miles) circular ride, allowing you to start and finish at the same point.

The elevation in St Leonard's Forest varies from 40 meters to 145 meters. While some trails have gentle changes, others offer more significant climbs. For instance, the View of Hawkins Pond – St. Leonard's Dragon Bench loop from Faygate includes an elevation gain of approximately 360 meters (1180 ft).

The forest offers a comprehensive network, but areas like Owlbeech and Leechpool Woods are publicly accessible and provide excellent riding opportunities within the larger St Leonard's Forest area. The trails often feature names such as "Ninja's Caravan" and "St Leonard's Singletrack Caution," indicating popular sections.

While St Leonard's Forest is primarily accessed by car, some routes start from towns like Horsham or Faygate, which have train stations. You would need to check local bus services or consider cycling from the station to the trailheads. Always verify public transport schedules and bike carriage policies in advance.

St Leonard's Forest can be enjoyed year-round, but spring and autumn offer particularly pleasant conditions with vibrant foliage and generally milder weather. Summer can be great, but trails might be busier. Winter riding is possible, but be prepared for potentially muddy conditions, especially after rain, as the forest features stream-carved ghylls.