Top 14 Bike Parks in Lancashire

Yes, Lancashire offers several options for beginners and families. Hurstwood Reservoir features swoopy mountain bike trails that are excellent for younger kids to gain experience. Gisburn Forest also has the 9.5km Bottoms Beck Blue Trail, a mellow ride suitable for older children. Additionally, Clayton Vale, near the Lancashire border, provides an 'Easy Rider' trail designed for accessible bikes, making it inclusive for disabled riders.

For experienced riders seeking a challenge, Lee Quarry Trails provides approximately 8km of tough, technical mountain bike trails with rock gardens, drop-offs, and tabletop jumps. Gisburn Forest's 'The 8' Red Trail includes challenging sections with black options like the rocky 'Whelpstone Crag' and the 'Home Baked' section. Clayton Vale also features 'Urban Red Rock-it' (difficult) and 'Scorpions Tail' (extreme) graded trails.

Lancashire's bike parks offer diverse terrain. You'll find repurposed industrial quarries like Lee Quarry Trails with rock gardens, drop-offs, and pump tracks. Forest trails, such as those at Gisburn Forest, feature a mix of machine-built and volunteer-built singletrack with fast, flowing sections, jumps, berms, and technical rocky parts. Other parks like Pimbo and Tawd Valley offer XC tracks, jumps, tables, and thrilling descents through woodlands.

Yes, some bike parks in Lancashire offer good facilities. Gisburn Forest has a cafe, toilets, and ample car parking. Clayton Vale, located at the National Cycling Centre, provides a cafe, toilets, car park, bike hire, and bike washing facilities. For other locations like Lee Quarry Trails, it's advisable to bring your own snacks and water as there are no on-site facilities.

Many bike parks in Lancashire are set within scenic landscapes. Gisburn Forest is nestled in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering dramatic scenery and excellent views. Cragg Quarry, adjacent to Lee Quarry Trails, provides outstanding views over the Rossendale Valley. Tawd Valley Park Track winds through lush woodlands with views over the River Tawd. The region's diverse landscape, from rolling fells to rugged moorland, ensures rewarding experiences with stunning countryside views.

Beyond mountain biking, Lancashire offers a variety of outdoor activities. You can explore numerous road cycling routes, including challenging loops in the Forest of Bowland or more moderate rides like the Blackpool Tower & Irish Sea views loop. There are also scenic touring bicycle routes such as the Preston Guild Wheel or the Bay Cycle Way. For hikers, Lancashire boasts beautiful waterfall hikes, including trails around Roddlesworth Woods and White Coppice Stone Bridge. You can find more details on these activities in the Cycling in Lancashire, Road Cycling Routes in Lancashire, and Waterfall hikes in Lancashire guides.

Yes, Lee Quarry and Cragg Quarry stand out for their unique setting. These former industrial quarries have been transformed into dynamic mountain biking hubs, offering an 'adrenaline fuelled escape' in a windswept, open environment. This repurposed industrial landscape provides a distinct riding experience with outstanding views.

Several parks are well-regarded for their jumps and technical features. Lee Quarry Trails features rock gardens, drop-offs, and tabletop jumps. Pimbo Bike Park is packed with XC tracks, trails, jumps, tables, and gaps. Bickerstaffe Colliery Cycle Trails offer a Black Line and a Jump Line with berms, rollers, doubles, jumps, step-ups, and step-downs, ideal for perfecting skills.

Lancashire's bike parks can be enjoyed year-round, but conditions vary. Spring and autumn often offer pleasant temperatures and vibrant scenery. While winter mountain biking is possible, some trails, particularly those in exposed quarry settings like Lee Quarry Trails, can be very windswept and less enjoyable on rainy days. Always check local conditions before heading out.

Pump tracks are available at a few locations. Lee Quarry Trails has two pump tracks that provide self-contained fun and are often used for practice. Clayton Vale also features progressive rhythm and pump sections within its MTB Skills Zone, allowing riders to warm up and practice techniques.

While many parks offer challenging descents, Gisburn Forest includes the 'Hope Line' which is described as a nice little DH section. Additionally, the Ice Cream Chute Downhill Trail is specifically named as a downhill trail, indicating dedicated sections for this style of riding.

Bickerstaffe Colliery Cycle Trails are actively maintained by volunteers, with updates often shared on their Facebook page. This community involvement helps keep the trails in good condition and continuously evolving with new features.