Trail Bloom’s Beginner’s Guide to Trails in the UK 🌲

New to the mountain biking scene? We’ve rounded up some of the best beginner-friendly trails to help you get started. These routes are perfect for practising skills, building confidence, and enjoying the ride.

1. What to Look for in a Beginner Trail

When choosing your first trail, look for:

• Green Routes: These are usually labelled as beginner-friendly.
• Wide Trails: Wide tracks (often called fire roads) are ideal for getting used to handling your bike.
• Gentle Gradients: Avoid steep climbs or descents until you’re more confident.

2. Top Beginner Trails in the UK

Here are a few fantastic spots to try:

• Cannock Chase (Staffordshire): The "Perry’s Trail" is a gentle 10km loop with smooth trails and gorgeous forest scenery.
• Dalby Forest (North Yorkshire): Start with the Green Route, a steady, fun loop with a mix of terrain.
• Haldon Forest (Devon): The Discovery Trail is short, easy, and family-friendly, perfect for building skills.
• Glentress (Scotland): Their Green Route is a 5km loop with amazing views and just enough challenge to keep things fun.

3. Tips for Enjoying the Trails

• Start Early: Trails are often quieter in the morning, giving you more space to practise.
• Bring the Right Gear: A comfy jersey, gloves, and padded shorts (like Trail Bloom’s range) will make your ride more enjoyable.
• Take Breaks: Stop to catch your breath and enjoy the scenery—there’s no rush.
• Go with friends: the trails are so much more fun with friends, bring them along, learn from each other.
• Don't forget the snacks: nothing worse than having to cut an adventure short because you're out of energy.

4. Finding Local Trails

Don’t live near these? No problem! Use apps like Trailforks or Komoot to find beginner-friendly routes near you. Many local MTB groups also share great trail recommendations.

Ready to get started? Whether you’re tackling a local loop or heading to one of these incredible spots, Trail Bloom has everything you need to feel confident and comfortable on your bike. Check out our beginner-friendly MTB gear here.