Gisburn forest - the best unkept secret

NEW trails in Gisburn forest have to be one of the worst kept secrets around.

Hundreds of people from around the North West appear to have heard on the grapevine about the new multi-ability routes around the forest near Slaidburn.

And while the forestry commission seem to be pondering how best to move the project forward, riders are simply hopping on their bikes and getting down and dirty.

We were there - along with at least 200 other bikers - this weekend and it was awesome.

Mike, of Mountain Bike Skills, said: "The route is really great - there is clearly a lot of time and effort gone into building these trails. I'd rank it harder than Whinlatter in the Lakes and the Marin but easier than the trail centres in Scotland.

"There's plenty to get your teeth into and it seems the black route burms at the end are getting a huge talking about in the forums and in the biking community.

They really are some of the biggest I have ever been on, including Europe."

The trails start out from Gisburn forest which is near Stock's reservoir at Tosside, north east of Slaidburn. Coming from the North you head down the A65, turn right at Long Preston sign posted Slaidburn on the B6478and then the right turn for 'Gisburn Forest'.

It's about 40 minutes from the Kirkby Lonsdale turn off. Heading from the south, it's about 20 minutes from the M6 and you can take your pick of routes via Blackburn or Clitheroe.

We did the red route and it took around two hours. It included plenty of 'intense' sections and not as much fire trail as some of the other trail centres meaning it is really quite full on.

The technical sections include lots of stone drop offs, steep cornered ascents and a huge slab descent. In the forest, some of the trail is slippy and greasy so be warned.

The boardwalk sections are nice chopped logs so super rough. Facilities are as yet basic with Fuzzy Duck's Mark providing refreshments from his van at the weekends but there are no toilets.

Hopefully - by the appeal of families who were also there enjoying blue and purple waymarked routes - there will be scope for a proper visitor centre. Car parking is currently free but in the morning at weekends on a busy day you might end up on the road!

Comments

[Wayno]

Rode Gisburn Forest a couple of weeks ago - first time in 4 or 5 years! What a remarkable difference - AWESOME! Back next weekend when it will hopefully be drier!

[Clare Cook]

Did you go down the black bit? I have to say I bottled it after going head first into a puddle. It's tight, though, all the way round - really tests your single track skills if you ask me. We're heading up to Newcaston (just north of Carlisle) soon: will report back

[john]

Was last there a year ago, and went back today - am impressed with the improvements they have made on the last year. They've done a cracking job building the trails - loads of technical stuff, varied terrain, some really tricky sections, some nice quick berms - the red run is not for amateurs.

The black runs were too tough for me, but the red run was a great way to spend a wet, muddy day. If anyone who built the trail checks this - thanks, you've done an excellent job!