Cycling & bike hire at Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Make life easy by pre-booking your cycle hire when book your cabin. Drop into the Forest Retreat when you arrive and pick up our Walking and Cycling Trails leaflet. With easy starter trails, this gives you the opportunity to head out and explore the forest around your cabin. The longest ride, which will involve some single-track trails and uneven ground, is a circular 8.5km route that meets the River Wye at Symonds Yat Rock, where you can enjoy the views as you take a rest.

The Peregrine Path

Family cycling through the meadow at the Forest of Dean

A riverside cycle

A pleasant riverside cycle is included in this beautiful sustrans route from Monmouth to Goodrich. Straddling the border between England and Wales, the Peregrine Path takes in castles, ancient towns, the River Wye, King Arthur’s Cave and the nesting Peregrine Falcons. Part road and part traffic-free it is 13km that meanders through some of Britain’s most spectacular scenery. The Peregrine Path is part of the 45km sustrans route 423.

Family cycle trails

Explore the Forest of Dean

The Family Cycle Trail in the Forest of Dean is exactly what it says it is! Specially surfaced for easy cycling, it’s a 14km waymarked circular route suitable for all ages and abilities. Another route that overlaps slightly is Coleford to Parkend and Cannop Ponds. It’s 17.7km one way, ending at the wildlife haven of Cannop Ponds. You can head back the same way or come back along the Speech House Road. Either way, be prepared for some uphill cycling.

Mountain Bike Trails

mountain biker cycling through the woods

High adrenaline thrills

The famous Verderers’ Trail in the Forest of Dean, is 10.5km of breath-taking mountain biking with lots of technical challenges. Take on the ‘Iron Chicken and ‘Blue String Pudding’ before the final thrilling descent. The Freeminer Trail offers a more serious challenge, ideal for experienced cyclists, with hairpin bends, switchback climbs and varied single-track. The volunteers who maintain it are constantly upgrading this 7km stretch, so be prepared for a few surprises.

Longer cycle trails

On-road and off-road

The Three Rivers circular route is another cycle route that incorporates the Peregrine Path. The route, mostly along Herefordshire lanes, connects Hereford, Ross on Wye, Monmouth and Hay on Wye and the three rivers are the Wye, the Monnow and the Dore. Pick up this 137km route at Symonds Yat. The National Cycle Network route 42 is another good stretch, which takes in lovely countryside between Hay on Wye and Chepstow. There are some challenging climbs but the rewards are views that will remain in your heart forever.