Hamsterley Forest

Hamsterley Forest is a commercial forest in County Durham owned and managed by Forestry England. It is the largest forest in County Durham and covers more than 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres). Recreational activities within the forest are focused at the eastern end, around the visitors' centre. In addition to the visitors' centre, there is a cafe, toilet facilities and many cycling, walking and running trails. What Forestry England says about Hamsterley Forest: Hamsterley Forest has cycling for all the family and one of the best off road cycle venues in Northern England. Starting at the leisure end of cycling you can ride the Grove Link returning via the pleasant forest drive (shared with vehicles). Blue graded single track trail construction is being progressed within the forest at present and at Odd Sox the first section of technical blue trail can be found. Progressing onto red grade, Hamsterley has some of the best sections of red graded singletrack (some with black off line options) in the UK. Sections such as Transmission, Brain Freeze, Odd Sox, Pikes Teeth will have you return for more sooner than you thought! Moving onto the tough end of mountain biking the black is maybe not a long trail, but it is technically challenging throughout. If you want to try extreme then Descend Hamsterley bike park is the only downhill trail centre in northern England and has something for all downhillers. It has a well-earned awesome reputation with local riders, including World Cup champion Danny Hart, who is just one of the top UK riders who ride here to keep them tight for the next competition. Note, all riders must purchase a permit to ride at Descend. For more information visit descendbikepark.co.uk