Bike
MTB
5 places near London to get your MTB ride on
Get away from the manic city to the serenity of MTB trails.
Friday 14th September is National 4pm Finish Day! Find out how to nail your to-do list and get out the door by four, here.
Being a mountain biker living in our nation’s capital can be tough, what with a distinct lack of mountains and wide-open spaces to get your shred on. But it’s not all doom and gloom, as there’s a vibrant and enthusiastic riding scene, which makes use of the trails we have both in and outside of the M25.
Our top 5 picks include...
- Redbridge Cycle Centre
- Leith Hill, Surrey
- Lee Valley Velo Park
- Aston Hill Bike Park
- Swinley Bike Hub
Read on for more info on the five places that are well worth checking out after a hard day at work.
1. Redbridge Cycle Centre
Cost: £4.40
Bike hire: £13.50 per adult includes bike, helmet and track access for two hours
Getting there: The nearest tube is Fairlop and for drivers using GPS the postcode is IG6 3HP
What to expect: Located just north of Romford, Redbridge Cycle Centre – sometimes known as Hog Hill – is a purpose built road and mountain bike cycle centre and a brilliant post-work riding location. Their 3.25km mountain bike track definitely errs towards cross country (XC) riding, but has reasonable elevation and usually closes around dusk.
If you fancy trying your hand at some racing, there’s the legendary Beastway Series, which runs every week during the summer months. You race for an hour full gas and although you can take it seriously, the atmosphere is chilled and inclusive, making it a great place to dip your toe into pain, lycra and weird lightweight bikes.
2. Leith Hill, Surrey
Cost: Free
Bike hire: Hire from Nirvana Cycles at £40 per day, per person
Getting there: Postcode for GPS is RH4 3NR which will take you to Nirvana Cycles, and the nearest train stations are Holmewood and Dorking
What to expect:Leith Hill is a real classic after work ride location and whilst the only official trail is the Summer Lightening Trail, there are plenty of off-piste sections for more experienced riders who like to explore.
The aforementioned hill is also the highest point in South West England, which means in order to go down, first you’ll need to go up – so don’t forget your climbing legs. However the descents are well worth the effort.
It’s about an hour by car from the very centre of the city and easily accessible by train, with Holmewood and Dorking being the closest options. From there it's a short cycle to the trails.
3. Lee Valley VeloPark
Cost: £4 on weekdays and £5 on the weekends
Bike hire: Yes available onsite at £12 per adult, helmet not included
Getting there: The postcode is E20 3AB for GPS users and the closest station is Stratford
What to expect:Lee Valley VeloPark is another purpose built cycling facility located at the Olympic Park in East London. There are plenty of MTB based courses available if you want to brush up on your skills, or if you fancy going it alone, you pay just £4 for access to the trails.
You might think man-made trails are going to be pretty tame, but the team at Lee Valley have done a great job of working with what they’ve got, with fast flowing blue and red trail, that even include some elevation; a rarity so close to the city centre. For more experienced riders, there are also some black features, which include drops, jumps and short rocky descents. Just like Hog Hill it’s open until dusk.
4. Aston Hill Bike Park
Cost: £7 per day, per person
Bike hire: No, but check out the local bike shops here
Getting there: The postcode is HP22 5NQ and the nearest stations are Tring or Wendover
What to expect: If you’re after a downhill fix then Aston Hill in Buckinghamshire has to be one of your best options close to the city. It’s about an hour’s drive from the very centre of London, or you can take the train to either Tring or Wendover station. From there it's just a few miles ride on cycle paths or canal towpaths.
The trails are absolutely worth the small cost, with gnarly downhill runs, an XC loop, a pumptrack and 4X. Aston Hill is open all year round expect for Christmas day, but closes around half an hour before dusk, meaning it’s definitely a post-work ride spot if you can escape the office early.
5. Swinley Forest
Cost: Free
Bike hire: From £15 to £50 per day depending on bike
Getting there:
What to expect: Another great riding location that sits just outside of the M25 is Swinley Forest. There’s 24km of official marked trails consisting of greens, blues and reds. There’s also some off-piste to be found if you like exploring.
The terrain suits a trail or XC bike and is well known for being an all weather location, so can be a great spot to try come rain or shine. It’s about 1hr 15mins drive from the city centre, or get off at Bracknell station if you take the train. From there it’s just a short ride to the trails.
