Cannop, Gloucestershire
The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre brings several different riding days together at Cannop Valley. You can learn off-road control on Old Bob’s, pedal a cross-country loop through the trees or spend the day on short downhill runs. That range makes it useful for a mixed group, provided everyone chooses their own route rather than treating the whole centre as one difficulty. The downhill hill and the longer woodland circuits reward different skills: repeated descending on one side, sustained pedalling and changing surfaces on the other.
The centre occupies a former colliery site, and the trail names connect the riding to the Dean’s industrial history. Verderers is the familiar blue loop with a flowing finish; Freeminers adds a more natural, technical feel. There is also a genuine starting point below blue grade, which matters if you are visiting with a novice or an adaptive cycle. Forestry England’s marked network is the place to begin: being in a forest full of paths does not make every path a permitted mountain-bike route. Forestry England also uses the name Cannop Cycle Centre for the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre. Its downhill network includes GBU, a fast line with large jumps, tabletops and drops for riders with the appropriate skills.
Green · 2 km
A short introduction to off-road riding, with three practice areas that can be repeated or bypassed. Its gentle climbing and rest stops make it a sensible place to discover how woodland corners and small features feel. The operator specifies suitability for adaptive cycles and bikes with two, three or four wheels.
Official route information →Blue · 11.3 km
This is a proper woodland loop with climbs, varied surfaces and descending rather than a flat family path. Switchbacks introduce the uphill work; rollers and berms give the downhill sections their rhythm. Dragon’s Tail provides the final flowing descent, so leave enough concentration for the finish instead of using all your energy on the climb.
Official route information →Red · 11.5 km
Expect a sharper technical test than Verderers: root-led drops, narrow descending, boardwalks and switchback climbing, alongside constructed features. The red skills area near the start offers a useful place to judge your comfort. Its woodland character makes tyre grip and deliberate line choice more important than simply carrying speed through every turn.
Official route information →Red · 4.5 km
A compact loop with a tight, technical descent of more than 500 metres. Ride it separately or use the signed connection from Verderers or Freeminers at post 61. It offers a focused progression step after the blue route; the shorter distance should not be mistaken for an easier grade.
Official route information →Blue
These downhill trails offer flowing turns, rollers and berms, but downhill blue still requires speed control. Launchpad was designed for four-wheel bikes without pedal power. The wider downhill network also contains red, black and double-black runs; choose a named line by its own grade rather than following another rider from the top.
Official route information →The map page separates the family and XC routes from the downhill network. Use the correct map for your intended riding, and distinguish push-up connections from descending tracks.
For a first woodland mountain-bike visit, use Old Bob’s and its practice areas before deciding whether Verderers fits your control and stamina. A rider already comfortable on blue singletrack can make Verderers the main outing. Keep Adit as a separate decision after that lap: completing blue confidently is a better reason to progress than having spare time.
Experienced cross-country riders can start with Freeminers and consider the Adit connection. For a downhill day, begin by reading the individual run descriptions: Sheepskull is black, while Ski Run, Cougar and GBU are double-black. Access is by the push-up route or booked uplift. Full-face helmets and body armour are strongly recommended by the operator for these descents.
Aim for the Cycle Centre on the B4234 in Cannop Valley, GL16 7EH. Forestry England directs drivers from the Coleford–Cinderford B4226 crossroads north along the B4234. Official directions →
Aim for the Cycle Centre on the B4234 in Cannop Valley, GL16 7EH. Forestry England directs drivers from the Coleford–Cinderford B4226 crossroads north along the B4234. Parking is paid by card, contactless payment or RingGo; avoid roadside verges and gateways if the main car park is full. The published alternatives are Beechenhurst and Cannop Ponds.
Car-free arrival needs planning around Beechenhurst rather than an assumed bus at the trailhead. Forestry England identifies Stagecoach services from Coleford stopping near Beechenhurst, and the bookable Robin Bus also serves that site. The Colliers Trail connects onward to the Cycle Centre. Confirm the journey and bicycle arrangements before booking hire, particularly for the return trip.
Find the planning area on a map →Pedalabikeaway provides on-site hire with traffic-free access to the trails, including hardtails, full-suspension bikes, e-bikes and family options. Book ahead for busy weekends. Adapted hire is also offered through Goals Beyond Grass by arrangement. Match the equipment to the intended trail rather than choosing solely by price.
The centre lists a café, shop, toilets, bike wash, showers, skills areas and pump track. Café and hire opening times differ from the site gates. These facilities make returning between laps practical, but carry your own repair essentials: a staffed service at the start does not remove the need to deal with a puncture deeper in the forest.
The Cycle Centre offers bike hire, including family equipment and e-bikes; adapted cycle hire is also listed. Book the appropriate equipment before travelling and specify the route you plan to ride.
Parking accepts card, contactless or RingGo. Use the current published gate hours and official overflow locations; parking on verges or blocking forest access is not an alternative.
Woodland roots, boardwalks and changing surfaces make damp conditions a different riding proposition from a dry lap, particularly on Freeminers and the downhill runs. Choose the lower grade when grip is uncertain and keep the technical extension optional. In winter, plan the loop around the earlier gate closing time; a café stop after riding should fit inside the same daylight and return-journey budget.
Coleford is a practical town base for a multi-day visit, with food choices that do not depend on staying at the trailhead. The town’s dining directory lists Amici for Italian food and The Art of Coffee on Market Place. The Speech House Hotel’s Orangery and bar offer another option for a relaxed meal in the forest. Check serving times before committing to a late final lap.
For a day away from the bike, walk the Sculpture Trail at Beechenhurst. Artworks draw on the forest’s trees, wildlife and industrial past, with a full 7.7 km route and shorter signed options. The paths include slopes and uneven ground, so choose the shorter circuit if you want a gentle recovery outing rather than another substantial session.
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Displayed distances are straight-line estimates using OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), not road journeys. Ask the property about secure bike storage and wet-kit arrangements before booking.
RIDE PREPARATION
Consider what suits the route, forecast and your own experience.
Yes. Old Bob’s is a 2 km green route, with three optional practice areas. It is the clearer first choice for learning off-road control before attempting the longer Verderers loop.
Yes. Forestry England identifies the connection at post 61. Adit can also be ridden separately or connected from Verderers; it remains red-graded whichever approach you use.
Yes. The downhill trails can be reached using the push-up track or an uplift service. Book the service separately and choose runs by their individual grades.
The on-site hire range includes e-bikes. Goals Beyond Grass provides adapted cycles by arrangement; contact the provider about your needs and route suitability before travelling.
Beechenhurst’s Sculpture Trail is a separate non-riding outing, with a full route and shorter alternatives. It includes uneven paths and slopes, so read its access information when choosing a circuit.
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Share mountain-bike trails safely, protect wildlife and soil, report hazards clearly, volunteer with permission and photograph riding considerately.
Book the right uplift, riding pass, hire bike and coaching session, check equipment and carriage rules, and plan a controlled first bike-park day.
Build a practical mountain-bike care routine for cleaning, brakes, drivetrain checks, workshop visits, multi-day trips and winter storage.
Trail conditions change — check the official page before you travel.
Open official site →