4.3
(154)
894
riders
84
rides
Mountain biking around Stainburn offers a diverse network of trails within a coniferous forest setting, west of Harrogate. The terrain is characterized by rocky challenges and technical single track, providing a distinct "forest of two halves" experience. Riders can expect a variety of features, including berms, rollers, and steep sections, with views extending towards the Washburn Valley from some routes. The area is known for its challenging trails designed for experienced riders, alongside options for other skill levels.
Last updated: April 26, 2026
2.0
(1)
4
riders
4.67km
00:25
70m
60m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(6)
41
riders
24.4km
02:14
490m
490m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

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36
riders
20.6km
01:44
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
7
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
5.0
(2)
10
riders
25.8km
01:55
390m
390m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Surprise View is a scenic viewpoint located above the town of Otley in Yorkshire. On a fine day you can more or less take a visual tour from York to Skipton and eye-feast the landscape in detail, including across the wonderful Yorkshire Dales.
3
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A nice selection of typical trail features make up these short skills sections, made up of berms and rollers with some good old Yorkshire stone/rock chucked in for good measure. Be wary of a couple of the wooden features especially in wet weather. Easy to combine with a ride here, there's a choice of bridleways and Singletrack to mix it up with.
0
0
From here you can head down the two red trails. Go straight for the descent line or take the left for a shorter red trail to the car park, it has berms/jumps, and being stainburn a few rocky technical features too.
1
0
Quite popular with horses and walkers so don't razz down here, but great section of singletrack that avoids the roads
0
0
A great 360 degree view point above Otley and close to the car park so easily accessible.
0
0
Stainburn offers a network of over 80 mountain bike trails. These routes cater to various skill levels, with 24 easy, 49 moderate, and 11 difficult trails to explore.
Stainburn is renowned for its challenging and technical trails, particularly its red-graded single track loops and a black-graded trail known as the 'Warren Boulder Trail'. While there are easier options, many routes feature technical elements like berms, rollers, rocky sections, drops, and steep climbs, making it a popular destination for experienced riders. There are 24 easy routes, 49 moderate, and 11 difficult routes available.
The trails in Stainburn are set within a dense coniferous forest, offering an immersive woodland experience. You'll encounter diverse terrain characterized by rocky challenges, technical single track, and varied features such as berms, rollers, and drops. Some routes also provide scenic views of the Washburn Valley.
Yes, Stainburn is known for its technical features. Riders can expect challenging elements like the 'Slab' and North Shore sections on the black-graded 'Warren Boulder Trail'. Other trails include continuous single track descents with berms and technical features, as well as challenging technical climbs. The forest also features a pump track, one of the first in the UK.
While Stainburn is known for its technical trails, there are easier options suitable for families or those new to mountain biking. For instance, the Chevin Forest Park loop is an easy 2.9-mile (4.7 km) trail that offers a gentle ride through woodland.
Yes, parking is available at the Stainburn Moor Car Park, which serves as a convenient starting point for accessing the mountain bike trails and other paths within the forest.
Direct public transport options to the Stainburn Forest trailheads are limited. Most visitors typically access the area by car, utilizing the Stainburn Moor Car Park.
Yes, the main mountain bike trails in Stainburn are often rideable throughout the year. Large sections of the red trails are surfaced with gritstone, which helps them withstand various weather conditions.
The area is highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars from over 150 reviews. Reviewers often praise the challenging and diverse trail network, the technical features, and the immersive coniferous forest setting.
While riding, you can enjoy views of the Washburn Valley from trails like the Norwood Loop. Nearby attractions include the Fewston Reservoir Circular Path and Thruscross Reservoir, both offering scenic viewpoints. You might also encounter historical sites like Spofforth Castle Ruins a short distance away.
Yes, many of the trails in Stainburn are designed as loops, offering circular routes. For example, the Woodland Trail – Top of Upper Trigger loop from Bramhope is a 12.8-mile (20.6 km) route through varied woodland.
No specific permits are generally required for mountain biking on the designated trails in Stainburn Forest. The trails are maintained by the SingletrAction volunteer group in collaboration with Forestry England for public enjoyment.


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