The best MTB trails around Cannock Chase

Ride the purpose-built trails at Cannock Chase

If you’re bringing small children along for a little mountain biking at Cannock Chase, the green trail is ideal. Gentle and wide, the trail was specifically designed to help kids build confidence and skills on their bikes. The blue trail is ideal for everyone who’s already happy on a MTB with rolling berms, easy rock gardens and mostly gentle slopes. With optional tougher skills sections, you can ride it however you like. 

Follow the Dog and the Monkey Trail are the two reds and are some of the best mountain biking trails in Cannock Chase. With twisty singletrack, boardwalks, little jumps and tons more, these epic routes are for confident mountain bikers. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, the black sections at Stile Cop will get your heart racing. All the trails are free to ride and open year round. 

Woods, plantations and country parks 

Whilst the trail centre is fantastic fun, there are plenty more mountain bike rides in Cannock Chase thanks to its large network of bridleways. Using these, you can ride throughout the entire AONB. 

In the far south east, you can ride through peaceful mixed woodland to discover Castle Ring, an Iron Age hillfort and the Chase’s highest point. In the west, cycle to Cannock Chase Country Park, an area of open heathland or pedal north along Sherbrook Valley into Brocton Coppice with its old, gnarled trees. With more bridle paths than you can shake your bike pump at, you can quite easily explore as far and wide as you like in Cannock Chase whilst never gracing the same section twice. 

Facilities and access

Cannock Chase has so many car parks that you’re guaranteed to find one that suits your route. You can also ride directly onto bridleways and trails from the surrounding settlements of Brocton, Rugeley, Stafford and Cannock amongst others. You can hire mountain bikes at the Birches Valley Forest Centre where the dedicated MTB trails begin. 

For food and drink, there are several cafes dotted throughout the forest, mainly at its two visitor centres and around the perimeter.