The man made mountain bike trails at Stainburn Forest offer a selection of short routes that reward repeated riding and test any riders ability, as well as woodland walks.

The forest also provides habitats for a variety of bird and wildlife and offers rich and diverse fauna.

Stainburn Forest is high on technical challenge, high on thrills and considered one of, if not the most, technical trail centre in the UK.

The trails are almost entirely hand built by volunteers giving them a unique level of intricacy and detail that changes monthly as the dedicated team further develop the site.

The Red Climb is far from just a spin up the hill through the trees, challenging rock features litter the trail.

From the top you can either whiz down the berms of the Red route, or drop your saddle for the Descent Line.

One kilometre of gravity fed tree dodging and rock hopping with surprises around every single corner.

The Warren Boulder Trail at Stainburn is the hardest of them all, also referred to as simply "The Black", it is a double black graded trail focusing on skill and control over raw speed.

The rocks are bigger, the risks greater but the reward significantly more satisfying.

Walking the sections first is strongly advisable for anyone not familiar with the trails.

Across the road in the Norwood plantation natural trails are marked in yellow and offer a less manicured if more weather dependant riding experience.

These trails are almost entirely natural and ungraded so ride carefully first time.

Some trails are marked purple, and are extremely severe.

The woods are also teaming with wildlife; deer seem unfazed by the hurtling bikers and Red Kite circle overhead ready to take advantage of any carrion.

Other species frequently seen include Green Woodpeckers, Buzzard, Willow Warbler, Cuckoo & Nuthatch.

See our other MTB routes.