Mountain biking and leisure cycling
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Cycling is an ideal way to get out and about and explore your local area. You can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the countryside and it’s good for your health, quiet, environmentally-friendly and you can go at your own pace.
Cycling Opportunities
There are lots of opportunities for cycling in Bracknell Forest. From off road and mountain bike trails at managed sites such as Swinley Forest, which lies to the south of the borough, to signed routes on quiet roads and public rights of way to the north, there is something to meet all tastes and experience levels.
Many of our parks and green spaces have traffic-free cycle routes passing through them. Lily Hill Park, Mill Park, Savernake Park and South Hill Park are all connected to our cyclepath network. For more details, see the free Cycling in Bracknell Forest Map to the right of this page.
Please note that cycling is not permitted on public footpaths or pavements. Further information about the types of rights of way where cycling is permitted can be found at Directgov.
Northern Parishes Leisure Cycle Route
This 12 mile/19km route, approximately half off-road, explores the lanes, bridleways and byways of northern Bracknell Forest and is detailed on the free leaflet Leisure Cycling and Mountain Biking in Bracknell Forest to the right of this page.
The paths are suitable for all riders, although a well-maintained bicycle is needed and cyclists should be aware that the off-road paths may become wet or muddy in winter months. There are plenty of opportunities to modify the route to suit your own needs, with the country lanes allowing cyclists to shorten or extend the route as they wish.
Swinley Forest Permits
Swinley Forest is an area of the Windsor Estate between Bracknell and Bagshot to the west of the A322. Owned and managed by The Crown Estate, it comprises 2600 acres of mainly Scots Pine woodland.
Cycling in Swinley Forest is permitted on hard tracks and within a specific expert mountain bike area. For those over 16 years of age, cycling in Swinley Forest is by permit only. For further information about obtaining a day permit or forest map contact the Look Out Discovery Centre. Annual permits are available from Gorrick Mountain Bike Club. Bike hire is available from Wellington Trek at the Look Out.
Clubs
Berks on Bikes MBC is the local mountain bike club for the Bracknell Forest area with many members and rides based in Swinley Forest and the local area as well as further afield. The club offers four local rides a week and regular away rides.It welcomes riders with reasonable fitness and off-road ability and also arranges introductory and occasional family rides. It also works with Gorrick MBC to define and maintain bike trails in Swinley Forest.
Events
Gorrick MBC maintains trails in Swinley Forest and organises local mountain bike races and navigation events. All ages and abilities are catered for, from fun races through to expert categories.
The Three Counties Cycle Ride is a popular event in the local fundraising calendar and involves a charity ride around Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. The event which is organised by the Rotary Club usually takes place in June.
For further information about these events and more visit the links to the right of this page.
Useful Information Sources
- For tips to safer cycling visit Directgov
- To find out about the work of a national cycling charity visit Sustrans
- To plan your route use National Cycle Journey Planner
- To find your nearest cycling club visit British Cycling, the internationally recognised governing body for all forms of cycling
- To purchase day permits and maps for Swinley Forest visit The Look Out
- To purchase bike equipment visit Bracknell Cycles, Berkshire Bikes, ibike and Mountain Trax
- To purchase and/or hire bikes visit Wellington Trek
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