Top 10 Bike Parks around St. Leonards And St. Ives

For a family-friendly experience, Moors Valley Country Park — Play Trail in Dorset is an excellent choice. It offers a progressive riding experience with green skills loops for beginners, flowing blue lines, and red jump trails, catering to all abilities. The park also has wide forest tracks and a pump track, making it a great day out for all ages.

Yes, while not directly in St. Ives, Woody's Bike Park near Fowey in Cornwall is a dedicated bike park offering an uplift service. It features trails for all abilities, from flowy blue runs to challenging double black diamond trails with large jumps and technical rock gardens.

Beginners can enjoy the trails at Canford Heath Nature Reserve, which offers about half a dozen different trails ranging from smooth sections to those with some roots. Additionally, Moors Valley Country Park — Play Trail has green skills loops designed for those new to mountain biking.

St. Leonards Forest in West Sussex provides a variety of mountain biking trails within a natural forest setting. You'll find everything from fire roads to blue-grade singletrack, including popular routes like 'Ninja's Caravan,' 'River Run,' and 'Jimmy Mac.' It's a multi-use forest, so you'll share the space with hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Advanced riders seeking a challenge should consider The Tinner's Trail near St. Ives, Cornwall. This 35-mile ancient track across the moors offers a remote and wild experience, rated as 'very hard' due to its tricky off-road sections with narrow, overgrown paths, loose stone, mud, and ruts. For downhill thrills, Sandy Downhill Trail, Canford Heath, offers challenging sections with large roots and drop-offs.

Trails in areas like St. Leonards Forest can become quite muddy after rain. Similarly, the Sandy Drop-Off, Canford Heath, has been noted to turn very messy with heavily sodden ground, mud, and sand turning to clay after heavy downpours. It's always advisable to check local conditions before heading out.

Beyond bike parks, the region offers a range of outdoor activities. You can explore gravel biking routes, more extensive MTB trails, and easy hikes. Moors Valley Country Park, for example, also features activities like Go Ape and various walking trails.

Yes, the Watchmoor Bike Park, located within Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset, is a brand-new, free-to-ride mountain bike park. It offers a progressive riding experience with green skills loops, flowing blue lines, and red jump trails, making it accessible for all skill levels without an entry fee.

For dirt jumps and play zones, Canford Heath MTB Jumps is known for its dirt jumps and easy downhill-style riding. Additionally, Sandy Drop-Off, Canford Heath, provides a fun little playzone with various trails to explore.

The Tinner's Trail near St. Ives offers stunning views and historical significance as an ancient track across the moors. For specific viewpoints, Sandy Downhill Trail, Canford Heath, is also noted for its viewpoint, offering scenic breaks during your ride.

Yes, St. Leonards Forest has parking facilities. You can find more detailed information regarding parking and access on the Horsham District Council website, which provides a PDF guide to the area: HorshamStLeonards.pdf.

The Tinner's Trail, a 35-mile cross-country off-road ride between St. Ives and St. Just, is rated as 'very hard' and typically takes experienced mountain bikers between 3 to 6 hours to complete.