Start/Finish Birches Valley Forest Centre, OS grid ref SK 020171u000aTotal distance 10.4km (6.5 miles)u000aTotal ascent 190m (620ft)u000aTotal Time 1-2 hoursu000aMaps OS Explorer (1:25000) u000a244: Cannock Chase & Chasewater. Or Garmin GB Discoverer 1:50K Northern England & Midlands (GPS).u000aSummary Straightforward riding on forest tracks, with reasonable climbs and a singletrack finish once you’re warmed up.u000au000a Start at Birches Valley Forest Centre. Head south on Fairoak Trail (starts near Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre) on well-surfaced trail through forest. After 650m reach junction and turn right, following Fairoak Trail marker posts. Carry on along wide track with Fairoak Pools to your right. After 1.2km turn left at junction. Go straight over first crossroads and turn right at the next (or straight u000aon to Marquis Drive if you u000aneed cake from the visitor u000acentre café).u000a At Birches Valley Road, turn left then cross just before crossroads to pick up Sherbrook Trail (blue marker posts) through forest. Turn right then left at trail junction. Go straight over Penkridge Bank Road onto heathland. Turn left at next trail junction.u000au000a Look out for orientation post S2 at edge of woods. Go straight over at crossroads with trail at edge of forest and turn right at second crossroads to join trail running parallel to edge of woods. Descend across heathland, ignoring crossroads and turnings for 1.3km. At crossroads turn right then straight over and back into the forest. Climb Pepper Slade, carrying straight on for 1.2km.u000au000a At trail crossroads turn right and climb to join road on the outside of a bend. Cross road and take trail bearing left to continue to follow Sherbrook Trail marker posts. Turn right at T-junction and go left at next fork.u000au000a At orientation post D4 join Follow The Dog trail. Singletrack descends through forest, occasionally crossing fire roads. After 2km, arrive back at Birches Valley Forest Centre.u000aTotal distance 15.4km (9.6 miles)u000aTotal ascent 280m (920ft)u000aTotal Time 1.5-2.5 hoursu000aMaps OS Explorer (1:25000) 244: Cannock Chase & Chasewater. Or Garmin GB Discoverer 1:50K Northern England & Midlands (GPS).u000aSummary A mix of bridleways and purpose-built singletrack in a short but easily-extended loop.u000au000a Start at Birches Valley Forest Centre and set off along Follow u000aThe Dog – entrance to trails is directly opposite Swinnerton Cycles Forest Centre. Descend gently on well-surfaced singletrack for 1.8km, occasionally crossing fire roads – check the marker u000aposts for direction. Make the most of it, the next 1km is uphill.u000au000a After a short switchback descent and similarly-becornered climb, spin gently along fire road parallel to Marquis Drive Forest Centre. If you u000aneed refreshment, turn left at first crossroads to reach road and cross u000ato the centre. Otherwise carry u000aon parallel to Marquis Drive to u000areach road at orientation u000apost S1.u000au000a Turn left then immediately right onto bridleway, using Sherbrook Trail marker posts for reference. 700m after second u000aroad crossing, go straight on over double crossroads, ignoring Sherbrook Trail posts going right. Climb on bridleway across heathland to Camp Road, with Springslade Lodge opposite. u000au000a Turn right and right again to head north along ridge on bridleway, initially through trees but then in the open with impressive views to the right. Keep right at fork. At road and car park bear right to carry on along bridleway, then left at crossroads. After 500m turn right to descend across valley to u000afire road. u000a Go straight across crossroads to edge of forest, joining waymarked Sherbrook Trail. Then straight on again to climb Pepper Slade, once again following Sherbrook Trail marker posts. At trail junction turn right, climbing gently to road. Cross over road and carry on towards caravan park.u000au000a At orientation post D4 rejoin Follow The Dog and enjoy the 2km descent back to Birches Valley.by Matt_Skinner
© Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath BA1 2BW. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.