Cannock Chase Mountain Bike trails provide a network of exhilarating trails that are notably challanging in their midlands setting just North of Birmingham.
Red trails Follow the Dog (7miles) and The Monkey Trail (15mils) are the crowning glory at the Chase but there’s also blue route Sherbrook Trail and the easy green loop Fairoak Trail.
Follow the Dog was the first of the trails at Cannock Chase and it’s a technical singletrack loop with tons of berms and rollers that’ll need a little skill and the discipline to resist the urge to jump them.
The Dog leads into The Monkey Trail – which is more demanding and features several black graded downhill sections. You’ll find technical rock gardens, boardwalks, ski-jump style take-offs and drops, plus some steep climbs before you rejoin your original trail and head back to base.
On the other end of the scale is the Route to Health, a one mile excursion created by local artists, students and community groups which is designed to provide exercise, relaxation and features ‘Fairy Trees’ along the way (you’ll have to ride it to find out..)
The trails are maintained by Chase Trails, a MTB group who work with the Forestry Commission and are out maintaining the trails at 10 every Sunday.
Birches Valley Forest Centre will be your base whilst you’re there – parking will set you back £3 a day, and there’s bike washing facilities, toilets, picnic areas and segway hire (of course) plus childrens play areas.
Should you need to sort yourself out with kit or a hire bike, Swinnerton Cycles are at your service and AECatering have a coffee shop inside the forest centre with plenty on offer to keep you sustained between rides.
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