Best mountain bike trails for families in the UK

What is mountain biking?

If you’re new to mountain biking, you won’t be alone. It doesn’t have to mean big jumps, steep descents and full-face helmets. At its core, mountain biking simply means riding a bike off-road, usually along unpaved trails, forest paths, gravel tracks or specially built MTB trails.

For families, it’s a brilliant way to explore the outdoors together, build confidence and balance, and have a lot of muddy, giggly fun along the way.

Family mountain biking can be as gentle or as adventurous as you want it to be, whether it’s cruising along a forest green trail, tackling a skills loop near the car park, or working your way up to a blue route with a few twists and turns.

If you're thinking of giving it a go but aren't sure where to start, download our free getting started with family mountain biking guide. You'll find helpful advice on bikes, kit, and how to choose your first route, as well as tips for riding with younger children.

You can also browse our full mountain biking with kids section, where we review kids’ mountain bikes, share riding tips, and explore what makes trail centres family-friendly.

If you’re not sure that mountain biking is for you, but you’re still curious to try cycling off-road, then check out our guide to gravel cycling with kids as a lighter alternative.

Family-friendly mountain biking trails in the UK

This list covers lots of trails and trail centres that were kindly recommended to us by parents. Many of them are part of various forestry networks across the country, and it’s worth noting that if we haven’t included something in your immediate area, you'll find more through Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Natural Resources Wales.

As parent Kirsty Warwick told us: “Forestry [England] sites have MTB trails of varying difficulty. You pay for parking but trails are otherwise free. Most have picnic areas, cafés and playgrounds too.”

Read on for our roundup of the best family mountain bike trails in the UK, broken down by region.

South West England

The South West is packed with lush woodland, easy gravel parks, and even city‑edge trails, perfect for families wanting varied terrain.

Moors Valley Country Park in Dorset delivers flat green trails, playgrounds and bike‑hire in a popular visitor hub. Bike Park 417 in Gloucestershire brings a compact family‑friendly vibe with pump‑track loops. The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is a woodland trail centre with options from green to black, pump tracks and café stops. And the Ashton Court Estate offers a short, smooth blue Nova Trail just outside Bristol.

For more route inspiration, check out the following guides:

• Family bike rides in and around Bath and Bristol
• Cornwall and Devon family cycle routes

Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, Gloucestershire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and skill levels.
• Trails: Green Old Bob’s Trail (2km), Green Colliers Trail (16km), Blue Verderers Trail (11km), Red Freeminers Trail (17km), plus 3 skills areas.
• Elevation: Rolling climbs; uplift service available on certain days.
• Facilities: Skills areas, pump track, café, toilets, bike hire.
• Parking: Paid car park.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Rebecca Prayoga, Jemma Oakes and Karen Gee

Rebecca Prayoga says: “Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is amazing. They have trails from green to double black, skills areas, pump track and a cafe to keep the kids (and adults) fuelled. There is also the Colliers trail which is great for beginners as all wide fire roads. 

The new green trail, Old Bob, is amazing for balance bikes and adaptive bikes, as well as any rider who enjoys time on a bike, my 3 year old loves it. My 10 year old is all about the black trails! Forestry England and Dean Trail Volunteers maintain the trails, DTV have just won a KAVS award too!

No cost to ride the trails, just pay for parking (or with the Forestry Membership it's free!) You can get an uplift on certain days at extra cost but as a trail centre all trails can be accessed by riding the hills.”

The Forest of Dean Cycle Centre is a brilliant all-round destination for families, with everything from flat fire-road loops to twisty blue and red singletrack. The green-graded Colliers Trail is great for beginners, while the new Old Bob’s Trail offers a purpose-built experience for younger children, including rollers and berms designed with balance bikes in mind. More experienced kids can explore the Verderers’ Trail, which features flowy descents and gentle climbs. On-site café, bike hire and play areas make it a top pick for full-day adventures.

Read our write up of the Forest of Dean family cycle trail for a proper look at what’s on offer.

Ashton Court, Bristol

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and skill levels.
• Trails: Blue Nova Trail (6.5km), Red Super Nova Trail (0.8km extra loop)
• Difficulty: Moderate with roots, rock gardens and small drop offs, with alternative lines to avoid them.
• Traffic: Traffic-free trails in the woods.
• Facilities: Café, toilets, other outdoor activities available.
• Parking: Ashton Court Estate has three free car parks (the Golf Course one is closest to the trails).
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Mildred Locke

Ashton Court’s Nova Trail is a smooth and fast blue-rated loop that’s ideal for families just getting into mountain biking. 

Located on the edge of Bristol, the trail is accessible and well surfaced. There’s a gentle and well-surfaced climb up to the top of the quarry, and then one more rocky and quite technical climb that some youngsters will want to get off and push, but it’s not very long.

The blue trail has some light technical features, including rollable drops, a small bombhole, and a rock garden, if they want to put their skills to the test. However these can easily be ridden around, making it a perfect place for kids to start small and build their skills over time. 

It’s short enough to lap more than once if their confidence (and energy level) is high, and if more skilled riders want to up the ante, they can add in the Red Super Nova loop mid-ride.

Bike Park 417, Gloucestershire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
  
• Trails: Two Blue trails and five Red trails of varying length and difficulty.
  
• Facilities: Covered pump track, toilets, café.
• Parking: Free onsite parking
  
• Kid-friendly highlights: Safe, covered pump track and relaxed family vibe.
• Cost: Adults £18 (e-bikes £21.50), Under 16s from £10
• More information

Recommended by Sarah McWilliam-Free

Sarah McWilliam-Free says: “We love this privately owned park. There’s a small covered pump track, a variety of trails, free parking and really friendly staff.”

Bike Park 417 offers a range of trails in a compact site, including a covered pump track and beginner-friendly downhill lines. 

While it’s best known for its more advanced trails, there are some gentle flow routes and a small skills area where young riders can build their confidence. 

Families with some mountain biking experience under their belts will enjoy the welcoming atmosphere, excellent facilities and a chance to try something a little more adventurous in a safe, supervised environment.

Moors Valley Country Park, Dorset

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families and confident younger riders.
• Trails: Mostly green trails (3-8km), with a short blue (7.7km) for progression.
• Facilities: Visitor centre with café, toilets, bike hire, play areas.
• Parking: Pay & display car parks.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Adventure play areas, Gruffalo trail, Play trail, Tree Top and Music trails, Bee Hive play structure.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Andy Hellier and Kirsty Warwick

Andy Hellier says: “We often go to Moors Valley Country Park, which has a blue route that’s 95% green with a bit of a difficult section for children in the middle (a bit bumpy, my daughter says). Definitely my favourite place to ride with them so far.”

Moors Valley Country Park has a gentle family cycle route and a more adventurous blue-graded singletrack loop suitable for confident children. 

The flat terrain makes parts of it accessible for trailers and tagalongs, while the singletrack adds a bit of extra fun for those wanting to practise their skills. 

Picnic areas, a miniature railway, Go Ape and a café make this a great day out for family mountain biking, along with plenty of other attractions.

South East England

If you're close to London or the M3, the South East’s woodlands offer green and blue‑graded trails with family‑friendly amenities. 

Bedgebury Forest gives you pump‑track zones, picnic areas, and gentle family loops shaded by towering pines. Swinley Forest, meanwhile, offers a similar mix with an accessible blue route and a dedicated skills area called The Summit. 

Both sites feature bike‑hire centres, cafés, and well‑marked trails. Perfect for short visits, they're increasingly popular as day‑trip stops for families seeking outdoor escapes close to home.

Bedgebury Forest, Kent

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families and children learning MTB basics.
• Trails: Two blue trails (4.5km and 9km) and a red trail (13km)
• Facilities: Café, visitor centre, toilets.
• Parking: Pay & display parking.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Play area, Go Ape, freeride and dirt jump area (for more confident riders).
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Kirsty Warwick

Bedgebury Forest offers an excellent mix of cycling routes for families, with a gentle 9km family cycle route on wide forest roads and a 13km blue singletrack trail for more experienced kids. 

The terrain is gently undulating, so some stamina is needed for longer loops, but it’s all off-road and very safe for children. 

A dedicated children’s play area, café and bike hire centre make this an easy and rewarding outing for families dipping their toes into mountain biking.

Swinley Forest, Berkshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families and all skill levels.
• Trails: Green trail, Blue trail, Red trail, and The Summit skills area (paid extra)..
• Facilities: Bike hire, café kiosk, toilets, playground.
• Parking: Pay & display parking.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Skills park for practice, accessible blue route beside playground.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Sarah McWilliam-Free

Sarah McWilliam-Free says: “Swinley has great trails and a skills area called The Summit (you pay to access that part). There’s a good hire shop and fab playground too.”

Swinley Forest is a favourite among families thanks to its flowing blue trails, green forest paths, and well-maintained skills zones. 

The 24km blue trail can be tackled in sections, and features berms, rollers, and small climbs that are ideal for adventurous riders aged around 7 and up. 

For younger children, there are flatter, traffic-free woodland loops and the nearby Summit skills park. 

The forest centre has bike hire, a café and play area, making it easy to spend a whole day enjoying the trails.

Wales

Welsh terrain provides epic family‑friendly experiences across upland and valley trail centres. 

Bike Park Wales blends accessible green loops with uplift‑assisted downhill fun. Coed Llandegla provides flowing forest routes and skills zones. The legendary Coed y Brenin features progressive blue sections, pump tracks and adaptive‑bike access. Hafod Trails further strides into uplifted, downhill progression, and Afan Forest offers a broad mix of family‑greens to red/black routes with a café and skills facilities - everything families need in a single forest setting. 

Plus, don’t miss our guide for family bike rides in North Wales for more route inspiration.

Bike Park Wales, Merthyr Tydfil

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Experienced and skilled mountain bikers
• Trails: 2 green trails, 13 blue trails, 19 red trails, plus black and purple trails.
• Elevation: Long downhill stretches and rolling hills, uplifts available.
• Facilities: Uplifts, bike hire, café, toilets, skills areas.
• Parking: Paid visitor parking.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Family loops near base, pump track and skills area.
• Cost: Pedal pass £19 (under 10s go free without Uplift), Uplift pass £50 unlimited, PAYG options: £6.50 13yrs+, £4.50 under 12s.
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “The cost of entry to Bike Park Wales means you want to maximise every minute there, so we recommend getting there early and being kitted out ready for the first uplift ride of the day. This place is all about the descending - we all love riding fast down hill and were left exhausted but exhilarated after our two trips there. The carpark and visitor centre can be a  bit intimidating with all the black route riders getting ready, but once we got onto the blue trails it was fine. Our 10 year old wrote this Bike Park Wales review after our first trip as he was so keen to share it with other kids!”

Bike Park Wales is a world-class downhill centre and is a great place for confident kids who have honed their descending skills at regular trail centres.  

Spend time looking at the map before you go: the grading really is accurate and we recommend starting easy and building up throughout the day as everything is fast and furious at this place! The queues for the uplift service can get long, especially on summer weekends, so weekdays in the school holidays are a good time to visit if you want to get maximum riding for your money, but pre-book, as it does sell out.  

The Kermit Trail is fully surfaced, with no technical features and a mellow gradient and is useful for keeping a little one occupied who isn’t riding the “proper” trails - there’s no cost if you’re just riding that route. But be aware it’s also used as a warm up trail, so best to wait until everyone has set off for the day before letting little ones loose on it. 

Coed Llandegla, Denbighshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and skill levels.
• Trails: Green (4.5km), Blue (11.5km), Red (17.5km), Black (19.5km).
• Facilities: Café, toilets, bike hire, bike repair workshop, skills park.
• Parking: Paid parking
• Kid-friendly highlights: Easy family trails, pump track and skills zone separate from main loops.
• Cost: £7 per car + £2 per passenger, under 16s go free
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “The blue route has a very steady (and boring) climb and our youngest moaned all the way up. But it was worth it as he whooped with joy all the way down. This would be the perfect route for using a mountain biking tow rope for the uphills!”

Coed Llandegla offers a family-friendly green route with wide trails around a small reservoir and a few rolling descents, making it ideal for novice riders and children gaining confidence. Be aware that the blue route merges with the green on the return to the visitor centre so you will be sharing the route with much faster cyclists. 

There’s also a challenging blue loop for those looking to progress, and a skills area for practising key off-road features and riding technique. 

There’s a café, bike hire, toilets and a bike wash on site. This is a very popular trail centre as it’s one of the closest to Liverpool and Manchester, so we recommend arriving early to get a parking space, especially on sunny weekends. 

Coed y Brenin, Snowdonia

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trails: Green Yr Afon (10.8km), Blue Minotaur (12km), and 3 red trails, plus skills area.
• Elevation: Rolling climbs on blue; steep features on red/black.
• Facilities: Bike shop, toilets, bike hire and shop.
• Parking: Pay & display.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Gravel and adventure trails, play area, animal puzzle trail
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Debbie Kojs, Laura Rees and Karen Gee

Debbie Kojs says: “Free to access and no parking charges. The skills park is great and trails are open – just take your own lunch!”

Laura Rees adds: “There’s a blue route called the MinorTaur, split into 4 sections. When our little one was 2 we started with one section and built up over time.”

Karen Gee reflects:  We only had two days at Coed y Brenin and I regret not having more time.  The skills area was amazing, and it was hard to tempt the boys away to ride the actual routes.  But it was worth it, because they were such fun. The MinorTaur Trail is such a great idea as it lets you ride as far as your skills allow, and shows how much progress you’re making over time.

Coed y Brenin is one of the UK’s most established trail centres, with multiple loops catering to different abilities. 

The MinorTaur Trail starts as a 5km green loop that’s perfect for beginners, and it can be extended through optional blue and red segments as riders grow in confidence. 

The surface is mostly smooth, with some short rocky features to add variety. 

A large skills area and pump track offer off-bike learning opportunities. 

The visitor centre has excellent facilities, including a café, bike hire and play area, making it a great choice for a family MTB trip.

Hafod Trails, Carmarthenshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Confident riders.
• Trails: 1 Green trail, 2 Blue trails, 3 Red trails and a Black trail.
• Elevation: Downhill sessions; uplift saves climbing.
• Facilities: Café bar, toilets, bike hire.
• Parking: Pay & display.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Uplifted downhill avoids climbs; gentle red lines for progression.
• Cost: Riders aged 16+ £35, under 15s £25
• More information

Recommended by Debbie Kojs and Charlie Kingswood

Debbie Kojs says: “For a VERY family friendly bike park you need to add Hafod Trails - child friendly uplift and progressive downhill tracks.”

Charlie Kingswood adds: “Hafod Trails has a super-friendly family atmosphere and a range of trails suitable for different abilities.”

Hafod Trails is a small, rider-run trail park that prides itself on being family friendly. 

There are progressive downhill runs with mellow gradients suitable for older children and confident riders, alongside more technical tracks for teens and adults. 

A child-friendly uplift service helps everyone to preserve their energy and makes it easier to enjoy repeat laps. 

While better suited to families with some mountain biking experience, it’s a welcoming space with a laid-back vibe and stunning forest scenery.

Afan Forest, Neath Port Talbot

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trails: Green Rookie, Blue Scar, three red trails, a black trail and a fun skills area plus a Bike Park for more experienced riders.
• Facilities: Café, visitor centre, toilets, bike hire.
• Parking/Public transport: Paid car parks; train to Neath + bus.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Family green loop, skills area and South Wales Miners Museum.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “We’ve been to Afan Forest twice on our summer holidays when the boys were in their tweens and both times had a blast. The trail centre is spread out along the valley, so there are two visitor centres. The first one you come to has the more family friendly routes (and a shower block for freshening up before the drive home!). The views are spectacular!”

Afan Forest offers a mix of challenging cross-country and downhill trails, but there’s also a family-focused green route along the former railway line that’s ideal for beginners. 

This traffic-free trail is flat and scenic, offering an easy introduction to forest riding, and suitable for trailers and younger riders. 

More confident kids can progress to the blue-rated Penhydd loop or head to the skills park for practice. 

The visitor centre provides bike hire, refreshments and plenty of space for a post-ride picnic.

East of England

Explore broad forest landscapes and pump‑track skills zones in the East. 

Chicksands Bike Park, located on the Bedfordshire/Cambridgeshire border, is compact but packs in a balance‑bike pump track, full-sized tracks, and welcoming amenities. Meanwhile Thetford Forest’s High Lodge site offers flowing green loops and a blue‑graded circuit winding through pine trees. 

Together, they provide families with an ideal gateway to off‑road adventures, combining easy beginner zones with gradual progression options in a laid‑back forest atmosphere.

Chicksands Bike Park, Bedfordshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages; special areas for balance bikes and pump-track skills.
• Trail network: Includes 2 large pump tracks, 1 small starter pump track, mini BMX, plus 10 blue trails to try out.
• Traffic: Off-road bike zones.
• Facilities: Coffee shop, toilets.
• Parking: On-site car park. 
• Kid-friendly highlights: Dedicated small pump track for little riders.
• Cost: Adults £10, Junior £8, Under 5’s free.
• More information

Recommended by Dean Kahl

Dean Kahl says: “Chicksands Bike Park is great for kids. Under 5's are free (and don't need a paying adult if the adult is walking). Whilst there is some extreme stuff, there are 2 larger pump tracks, 1 small kids specific pump track for balance bike starters and a mini BMX track. 

Plus generally a safe area to ride around; the woods outside is also good although hilly for little legs. Not too suited to towing because it's so frequently up then down. They have portaloos in the centre of the bike park and there is a banging Thai food van there most days (also does bacon rolls, burgers etc).”

Chicksands Bike Park is a privately managed woodland site offering everything from balance bike pump tracks to advanced jump lines. 

Younger children will enjoy the kids’ pump track and mini BMX loop, while older or more confident riders can progress to larger pump tracks and flow trails. 

It’s best suited to families with mountain biking experience or those looking to build skills in a contained space. 

Facilities include toilets and a popular food van, making it a convenient spot for a half-day visit.

High Lodge/Thetford Forest, Suffolk

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Beginners to intermediate families.
• Trails: Green Shepherd Trail (8 km), Blue Beater Trail (10-18 km), Red Lime Burner Trail (15km).
• Facilities: Bike hire, café, toilets, play zone.
• Traffic: Traffic-free designated singletrack in forest.
• Parking: Car park on-site.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Play area, Go Ape, picnic area, pump track.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

High Lodge in Thetford Forest provides a great entry point to mountain biking for families, with broad gravel trails, a green family route, and a 10-mile blue graded loop through flat pine woodland. 

The terrain is relatively level, making it accessible for children with some off-road experience or those on mountain bikes with gears. 

There’s also a skills loop to help riders build technique. 

On-site bike hire, a large playground and picnic areas make it an ideal day out for young riders and their grown-ups.

Phoenix bike park, Suffolk

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trails: Purpose-built MTB park with graded downhill trails, pump track, dual slalom, and skills zones
• Difficulty: Green to black trails — includes beginner-friendly and balance bike trails with progression options
• Facilities: Toilets, cafe, bike shop and hire.
• Traffic: Off-road, dedicated MTB trails (no shared-use paths)
• Parking: Free parking on site
• Cost: Full-day/Half-day Adults £18/£12, Junior 5-15yrs £12, Under 5s £5 (or free with paying adult)
• More information

Recommended by Ruth Preece

Ruth Preece says: “Phoenix bike park is brilliant if you're looking for pump tracks and progressive jumps. There's a little balance bike track and loads of very progressive tracks on the main car park side which anyone will be able to do from beginners and then small steps to add a little more challenge once you're ready, right up to the crazy stuff on the far side of the park for when then kids start overtaking you skills wise! 

There's a cafe, bike shop, and small kiosk too. Pay per person but parking is free and they have a loyalty card so you can earn free sessions. It's our favourite place!”

Phoenix Bike Park is a grassroots, family-friendly trail centre designed with progressive learning in mind. 

It features a variety of trails graded from green to black, plus a dedicated kids’ skills area, dual slalom track and pump track. 

The green and blue runs are ideal for confident children developing their off-road skills, with smooth surfaces, gentle gradients and fun features like rollers and berms. The relaxed, welcoming atmosphere makes it a great place for kids to build confidence at their own pace. 

While not huge in size, it’s perfect for sessioning and progressing through trail types without needing to travel far. 

Facilities include toilets, a picnic area and occasional food vans. 

Entry fees apply, but it’s well worth it for families looking to dip into a trail centre environment in a low-pressure setting.

Midlands

Right in the heart of England, the Midlands offer a refreshing blend of compact bike parks and woodland trail centres that cater to all abilities. 

At Northampton Bike Park, you’ll find purpose‑built loops in former golf-course terrain. Cannock Chase offers blue‑graded forest loops and a gentle starter area for little ones. Meanwhile, Swynnerton Old Park delivers rustic fire‑road circuits perfect for laying out your own route. 

With off‑road trails close to urban centres and plenty of parking, it's an accessible base for weekend family outings.

Northampton Bike Park, Northamptonshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trail network: 40 acre purpose-built bike park.
• Difficulty: Green and blue loop options, plus a skills area for practice.
• Traffic: Fully off-road and trail-separated.
• Facilities: Toilets, cafe, bike racks, rest spots.
• Parking: On-site pay & display.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Green loop right from parking, easy progression zones.
• Cost: Free to ride.
• More information

Recommended by Chris Van Schaijik and Ruth Preece

Chris Van Schaijik says: “The park has a range of trails to suit riders of different abilities, and the only cost is for parking. There are facilities available in the nearby golf clubhouse. We’ve been a few times now and he really enjoys it.”

Ruth Preece says: “There is a great skills area and a few easy blues and greens as well as more challenging red and black trails. Not a huge centre but a good half day visit. There are toilets and a cafe that visitors can use at the golf course, which is on the same site.”

Northampton Bike Park is a compact, purpose-built facility offering a range of progressive trails ideal for riders gaining confidence. 

The park features green, blue, red and black trails, with flowy berms, rollers and small features suitable for younger riders ready to move beyond flat paths. 

Confident beginners will enjoy the green and blue routes, while more skilled riders will find plenty to push them a little further. 

It’s a great introduction to trail riding in a non-intimidating environment.

Cannock Chase, Staffordshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families; blue runs accessible, with green skills loop near parking.
• Trails: Green Fairoak Trail (4km), Blue Perry’s Trail (4.3km).
• Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets, café, visitor centre, bike hire.
• Traffic: Traffic-free mixed singletrack and forest road loops.
• Parking: Pay & display car park.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Pedal and Play Trail, children’s play area, Go Ape.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Lisa Cookson and Laura Rees

Lisa Cookson says: “My 6-year-old loves the blue runs at Cannock Chase… it’s always full of families and younger kids so we don’t feel like we’re holding anyone up if we stop.”

Cannock Chase is a well-established trail centre in the Midlands, popular with families thanks to its beginner-friendly loops and lively blue routes. The Perry’s Trail offers a 9.6 km blue-graded route with gentle climbs, flowing descents and wide forest trails, while a smaller green skills loop near the car park is ideal for younger kids just starting out. Red segments branch off for those wanting a challenge. It’s a sociable place, often filled with other families, which helps newer riders feel at ease. On-site facilities and café make it easy to turn your visit into a full day out.

Sherwood Pines, Nottinghamshire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trail type: Green Maid Marion, Blue Robin Hood, Red Outlaw, Black Bike Park, and Blue skills areas.
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate: flat and flowy with optional progression features
• Traffic: Traffic-free, shared-use paths for the green trail; dedicated MTB sections for blue
• Facilities: Visitor centre, café, toilets, bike hire and repair, picnic areas
• Parking: Pay and display on-site car park
• Kid-friendly highlights: Large children’s play area, Go Ape, Disc Golf.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Charlotte Quinn

Charlotte Quinn says: “We currently love Sherwood's trails for our current needs - 2.5 year old riding on a MacRide cross bar seat. Short but interesting enough for him to not get bored whilst being not too gnarly for him on the cross bar seat and also tame enough for him to have a go on his balance bike if he feels like it, plenty of play opportunities, a little pump track, pizza & ice cream.”

Sherwood Pines is one of the East Midlands’ most accessible trail centres, offering a great mix of gravel routes and singletrack trails suitable for family mountain biking. 

The green Family Cycle Trail is a wide, flat 5km loop ideal for trailers, tagalongs and balance bikers, while the Adventure Trail and 13km Blue Trail introduce more twists, turns and mild technical features for children ready for the next step. 

The landscape is mostly flat pine forest, meaning you won’t face long climbs, and there’s a fantastic play area, café, toilets and bike hire centre to support a full day out.

North East England

The North East of England showcases a delightful mix of moorland, dale scenery, and woodland, making it ideal for family mountain biking. Expect dramatic upland landscapes in the Yorkshire Dales with traffic‑free gravel paths, winding forest loops through Dalby, and off‑road exploration across the edge of the North York Moors. 

Highlights include the dual‑sided charm of the Swale Trail with its riverside views and gentle climbs, the extensive trail network at Dalby Forest, and the scenic upland riding in North York Moors National Park.

Don’t miss our guide to family friendly cycle routes in Greater Manchester for more family-friendly options nearby.

Swale Trail, Yorkshire Dales

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Ages 10+ with confident bike handling skills.
• Length: 12 miles Reeth–Keld; 24 miles out & back.
• Difficulty: Moderate in places; mixture of flat gravel and steep, rocky sections.
• Elevation: Some mild undulation; oldest climb toward Keld.
• Traffic: Primarily traffic-free on upgraded tracks; minor road sections.
• Starting point: Reeth village (car park or hire from Dales Bike Centre).
• Parking: Village car parks (pay), cafés and toilets on site. 
• Kid-friendly highlights: Lovely dale scenery, River Swale, waterfalls, historic villages.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Paul Collingridge and Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “The Swale Trail really is a ride of two halves - the Reeth to Gunnerside section is fun and undulating, and a great introduction to riding on countrylanes and gravel tracks. The section from Gunnerside to Keld is much more remote and technically challenging and should only be attempted by experienced riders with a lot of stamina.”

The Swale Trail offers a scenic off-road route between Reeth and Keld, but when it comes to bringing kids along, it’s best suited to confident riders with some mountain biking experience. 

The trail varies in difficulty, with the Reeth–Gunnerside section providing a more beginner-friendly ride on light gravel and riverside picnic spots, while the northern stretch becomes steeper and rockier. 

Families with less experienced riders may prefer to tackle just the gentler southern portion.

You can read Karen’s write up of this route in The Swale Trail, Yorkshire Dales – a family mountain bike trail of two halves, and see a preview of the route in this video that Paul recommended to us.

Dalby Forest, North York Moors National Park

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trail grades & variety: Green loops, blue 11 km trail, red & black technical trails, kids’ skills park.
• Network length: 150 km of forest trails and recreation paths.
• Elevation: Mixed - valley with gentle climbs plus ridge lines.
• Facilities: Bike hire, café, toilets, adventure playground, Go Ape high ropes.
• Parking: Multiple pay/forest drive car parks. 
• Kid-friendly highlights: Family loops beside play areas and skill zones.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “We camped several times at a lovely (but basic) site in the middle of the forest and had a great time riding their blue and red routes, but there are also options for beginners, and the boys spent hours on the skills loops.”

Dalby Forest caters to families with kids of all ages and abilities, offering a varied mountain biking experience.

You’ll find gentle green loops perfect for beginners, an 11 km blue trail, and much more challenging red and black routes for more confident riders. The forest contains around 150 km of trails that wind through valleys and ridge lines, offering varied elevation. 

You’ll find some good facilities on site, including bike hire, a café, toilets, a playground, and a Go Ape high‑ropes course. 

Multiple pay-and-display car parks make access easy. 

Highlights for kids include safe green loops next to play areas and dedicated skill zones where they can practice skills and build their confidence in view of the whole family.

North West England

Families visiting the North West can expect to find trail centres in mountainous areas that offer some challenging riding.

Whinlatter Forest offers a fluid blue singletrack through fir woods; Grizedale Forest combines forest roads with higher ridge trails, while Gisburn Forest serves up a web of colour-coded tracks that suit every skill level, and Askham Fell presents a raw fell environment with sweeping views. 

This region is also perfect for linking into broader adventures further afield. Check out the following guides for more recommendations if your family isn’t quite ready for the more mountainous trail centres:

• Best family bike rides in the Lake District
• Best family cycle routes in Lancashire
• Family bike rides in Merseyside and Wirral
• The best family cycle routes in Cheshire and Wirral

Whinlatter forest, Cumbria

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families with off-road confidence; blue trail for kids, red for advanced.
• Trails: Blue Quercus (7.2km), Gorse forest road (10km), Altura red (14km) with technical sections.
• Elevation: Up to 500 m on Red Altura route.
• Traffic: Fully off-road singletrack and forest roads.
• Facilities: Bike hire, café, visitor centre, toilets, picnic zones. Go Ape
• Parking: Paid parking.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Flowing blue for children, café and play area post-ride. Gruffalo trail
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “Whinlatter is England's only true mountain forest, so come prepared to ride uphill and down again! The start of the Blue route can be turned into a short loop that those not ready for a long ride (including little ones very confident on balance bikes) can spend ages going round and round. Once you’ve moved away from the trail head (with its excellent cafe and bike shop/hire) the riding is awesome, but you need to be fit to cope with the hills.”

Nestled in the mountains of the northern Lake District, Whinlatter Forest offers adventures for confident mountain biking families. 

Kids can tackle the 7.2km Blue Quercus trail, while more experienced riders can tackle the technical 14km Altura red route that climbs to about 500m. 

The network is fully off-road, comprising singletrack and forest roads, and there are several amenities nearby like bike hire, a café, toilets, a visitor centre, picnic areas, and a Go Ape aerial adventure course. 

Child-friendly features include the start of the flowing blue trail and a nearby play area, ideal for a post-ride break, plus the family-favourite Gruffalo Trail.

Askham Fell, Cumbria

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Confident kids 10+; rocky fell terrain.
• Length: 14km circular route.
• Difficulty: Moderate; rockier off-road with uneven surfaces.
• Elevation: 270 m climb.
• Traffic: Off-road sheep tracks; remote.
• Starting point: Lowther Castle & Gardens free car park.
• Points of interest: Picnic spots, cafe, Castle with brilliant play park (at a cost), wide fell panoramas.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Askham Fell offers a more adventurous fell-side experience for families with kids aged around 10 and over. 

This 14 km circular route spans rocky sheep tracks and uneven off-road surfaces, making it a bit more of a challenge. 

Riders can expect around 270m of climbing, winding through wide open fell landscapes. 

The route begins at the Lowther Castle & Gardens car park, where free parking is available.

Along the way, families will find picnic spots, the fairytale castle’s play park, and wide-ranging fell panoramas that make the ride as much about nature as it is about skill.

Gisburn forest, Lancashire

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families with confident young riders; green/blue accessible.
• Trails: Blue Bottoms Beck Trail (9.5km) and Skills Loop.
• Elevation: Rolling terrain with steady climbs on higher loops.
• Facilities: Café, toilets, picnic shelters, bike wash, e-bike hire.
• Parking: Main visitor car park (pay). 
• Kid-friendly highlights: Green Farm trail and easy blue circuits near the hub.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “Gisburn gives a real taste of remote riding - it really does feel as if you’re heading into the middle of nowhere once you leave the main road. I find Gisburn's trails to be slightly harder than other similar grades of trail we ride elsewhere, so don’t be too proud to get off and push if needed - whether that's on the uphill or downhill sections. The skills loop is also harder than anything you’ll find on the trail, so don’t let it put you off if you can’t ride it all!”

Gisburn Forest has a multi-graded trail network for families with confident youngsters. 

The network includes colour-coded routes from blue to red over approximately 50km in total, with a 9.5km Blue Bottoms Beck Trail and a nearby Skills Loop. 

Facilities on site include a café, toilets, picnic shelters, bike wash stations, and e-bike hire.

For novice riders we recommend picking up the last bit of the blue loop from the back of the cafe, which is a fun but non-technical singletrack and a great way to gain confidence before tackling the full loop. 

Scotland

Scotland is home to the 7stanes network: world-class mountain biking centres spanning the south. Meanwhile the Borders and Galloway forests are renowned for mountain biking and have plenty of family-friendly trails on offer. It’s worth bearing in mind that Scotland is very mountainous, so be aware of this if you’re travelling from flatter regions and aren’t used to the landscape. That said, there are plenty of routes to suit beginners, and many of the centres have skills areas to hone your technique.

Glentress, Scottish Borders

Key facts:

• Suitable for: All ages and abilities.
• Trails: Two green, one blue, one red and one black trail, plus easy taster trails and skills area.
• Facilities: Café, toilets, bike hire, visitor centre.
• Parking: Pay & display.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Taster trail for confidence-building, Go Ape, wildlife hide, picnic area.
• More information

Recommended by Marie Clay and Karen Gee

Marie Clay says: “Glentress blue taster trail and their green route are nice for young kids. Wouldn’t recommend the main blue though, unless you have a child who’s up for a long climb!”

Karen Gee says “Glentress became one of our favourite trail centres as the boys progressed to being confident mountain bikers. The climbing is very hard, but the descending more than makes up for it. The blue graded Berm Baby Berm is one of my absolute favourite routes! The design of the forest means you can loop together as many (or few) different trails as you want, allowing each day’s riding to be different.”

Glentress is a flagship Scottish trail centre with something for every rider. 

Families can start on the green Taster Trail near the visitor centre or explore the easier sections of the blue route, which includes smooth singletrack and mild gradients.

More confident children can challenge themselves on skills loops or climb further into the forest for longer rides. 

Excellent facilities include a bike shop, café and adventure playground. 

It’s a superb location for introducing kids to Scotland’s vast trail network, with onsite camping and lodges within the forest, or accommodation in nearby Pebbles and  Innerleithen.

Kirroughtree Forest, Dumfries and Galloway

Key facts:

• Suitable for: Families and learner teenagers.
• Trails: Green Bargaly Wood, Blue Larg Hill, Red The Twister, Black Craigs, plus skills area.
• Facilities: Café, toilets, bike hire, visitor centre.
• Parking/Public transport: Paid parking; train to Dumfries + bus.
• Kid-friendly highlights: Wildlife hide, walking trails, picnic area, play area.
• Cost: Free to ride
• More information

Recommended by Karen Gee

Karen Gee says: “Kirroughtree was our favourite Scottish trail centre when the boys were honing their skills, and we returned many times for weekends and longer holidays. There’s something for all abilities, making this the most family friendly of the 7stanes trail centres. We regularly camped at Balloch O’Dee campsite which has a very relaxed vibe.” 

Kirroughtree is a lesser-known gem in Scotland’s 7stanes network, offering quiet trails ideal for families. 

The Bargaly Wood Trail is a gentle green loop through broadleaf and conifer woodland, while the Larg Hill Trail offers a blue-grade step up with scenic views and moderate climbs. 

The skills loop is really good for beginners to gain confidence, and you can do a very shortened version of the Blue Loop (leaping from marker 2 to 25) if you’re just beginning and nervous about committing to a full trail, whilst still experiencing the ‘Home Run’ part of the trail. 

The trail centre has a café, visitor hub, play area and bike hire, and the quiet setting makes it especially suitable for families looking to avoid the crowds while enjoying a genuine off-road experience.