Mountain Biking

Lancashire offers great mountain biking ranging from forest trails to grit stone moorland tracks.

Here is a sample of what to expect...

Gisburn Forest

In the east of Bowland, Gisburn Forest offers marked mountain biking trails, varying from easy to difficult.

• Read an article from Mountain Bike Skills Magazine on Gisburn Forest
• Download Gisburn Forest Mountain Biking Route

South Pennine Moors

The South Pennines between Lancashire and Yorkshire offers stupendous mountain biking tracks. The Mary Towneley Loop of the Pennine Bridleway crosses the area. Climb up from Wycoller Country Park to Boulsworth Hill, or try the track across the Pennines from Hurstwood, above Burnley, to Widdop, in Yorkshire.

Forest of Bowland AONB

The Forest of Bowland is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers outstanding mountain biking. The rugged Bowland Hills are dissected by deep valleys and scattered with picturesque villages such as Slaidburn or Chipping.

Try the challenging bridleway routes around Dunsop Bridge (official centre of the British Isles) and the Salter Fell track between Slaidburn and Wray,

Rossendale

The grit stone moors of Rossendale offer 'real' mountain biking. Try the Rooley Moor track, from Whitworth to Waterfoot.

Lee Quarry, Bacup

Over 8km of technical mountain bike trails have been created to test all abilities of off-road cyclists. A choice of black and red trails help you to choose the best route for you and your bike! The course is also host to a number of events amd championship competitions throughout the year

• Download map of Lee Quarry

West Pennine Moors

West Pennine Moors is home of the mountain biking events in 2002 Commonwealth Games, surrounded by reservoirs, Rivington Country Park offers great mountain biking, ranging from easy tracks down to the lake shore or steep ascents up to Rivington Pike.

Some Signed Routes to try.......

Mary Towneley Loop

A 48 mile loop of the South Pennines crossing from Lancashire to Yorkshire. The loop is part of the Pennine Bridleway and is named after Mary Towneley, a horsewoman who campaigned for a bridleway route up the backbone of England.

North Lancashire Bridleway

An epic crossing of the Bowland Hills from Chipping to Caton in the Lune Valley, taking in the famous Salter Fell track across the moors where you will find yourself far from anywhere. For a more leisurely crossing why not stay in the ancient village of Slaidburn on the way. (28 miles)

• Guided rides and bike hire are available from Cycle Bowland and Cycle Adventure