| Route | Contributor | Last Updated | Where | Distance | Tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMB145.Queen Elizabeth Country Park_Classic | wmbsu | Feb 4th, 02:54 | 43.2km |
|
|
| Start/Finish Queen Elizabeth Country Park, SU719185 Total distance 43km (26.7 miles) Total ascent 1160m (3800 ft) Total time 3.5-5 hours Summary Plenty of hills, both up and down, in this big downland loop that mixes purpose-built trails and bridleways 1. From the Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre head south, leaving the centre to your left, and follow the road as it swings left and begins to climb. At first switchback left, carry straight on past picnic area on forest track. Fork right when track splits, following South Downs Way signs. Descend to a car park and continue straight on, initially on Tarmac and then on track. 2. At Coulters Dean Farm (SU749195) turn left onto bridleway (leaving South Downs Way) and climb through woodland. After 1km turn left, following bridleway, to descend to track. Turn right, then next left to descend steeply on loose, flinty trail. At the bottom, continue straight on along valley bottom (may be muddy). After 500m turn left onto bridleway, climbing to edge of woods. Turn sharp left on track (straight on leads to private house). 3. After 800m turn left on track through hamlet of Eckensfield. Follow bridleway to track at SU771171. Turn left onto track between fields, through Hucksholt Farm to join road. Go straight on along road, and take the first fork right onto a smaller road. Keep left at the next fork, then turn left onto bridleway across grassland. Follow the trail parallel to a road, initially on open hillside then in woodland. 4. After descending briefly, turn left onto bridleway in narrow strip of trees between fields, descending eventually to road at SU768133. Turn right on road, then next left. After 500m turn right onto bridleway descending through trees. At trail junction, bear slightly left to descend more steeply to road. Cross road to join minor road opposite, climbing for 1km. Turn right onto track, then after 300m right again onto bridleway, descending steeply to road. 5. Cross road to join bridleway opposite, climbing across field to woods. Follow bridleway to descend to Stoughton (and pub). At Stoughton turn right then immediately left onto wide bridleway climbing very steeply southeast. As climb levels out, take bridleway to left across to Kingley Vale and Bow Hill. 6. Continue across hilltop, leaving ancient grave mounds to your right to re-enter woods. At trail junction after 1km either continue straight on along bridleway or turn left on bridleway then quickly right along trail to downhill course – both routes emerge at the same place. Turn right on track along the valley bottom, climbing along edge of woodland to join road at Chilgrove. 7. Turn left on road and continue for 800m before turning right onto bridleway, eventually emerging opposite Royal Oak pub. Turn left on road for 200m then turn right onto bridleway, climbing north to lane at SU812169. Follow lane for 1km past Telegraph House then fork left on bridleway, climbing then descending to join South Downs Way at Harting Down. 8. Turn left to follow trail to car park and road. Cross road to join a bridleway opposite, descending through woods to next road. Cross road again to bridleway opposite, following South Downs Way signs back to car park at eastern edge of Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Climb track from car park and either retrace earlier path back to the visitor centre or bear left to pick up final descent on the Red trail. | |||||
| WMB145.Queen Elizabeth Country Park_Easy | wmbsu | Feb 4th, 02:59 | 18.2km |
|
|
| Start/Finish Queen Elizabeth Country Park, SU719185 Total distance 18km (11.2 miles) Total ascent 405m (1328 feet) Total time 1-3 hours Summary Truncated version of our Classic loop that gives a flavour of the area while missing out the trickier bits 1. From the QECP visitor centre head south, leaving the centre to your left, and follow the road as it swings left and begins to climb. At first switchback left, carry straight on past picnic area on forest track. 2. Fork right when the track splits, following South Downs Way signs. Descend to a car park and continue straight on, initially on Tarmac and then on track. At Coulters Dean Farm (SU749195) continue straight on along road. 3. At Sunwood Farm turn right onto bridleway (following SDW signs) and after 250m turn right again to climb through woods on wide, easy track. The track starts to descend – ignore turnings to right and continue to four-way trail junction at SU770174. Turn right, continue for 350m then turn right again onto bridleway. 4. At trail junction turn left and follow to Eckensfield. Turn right on track around field edge and descend towards a house. Turn right into woods before the house then left onto track along valley bottom (be warned, this may be muddy). Descend to Woodcroft Farm, turn left on lane then right over railway bridge. 5. Fork right after bridge to follow the road north parallel to the railway for 1km. Turn sharp left onto byway and climb to rejoin the road. Turn right and follow a road, bearing right in Chalton village. 1km outside Chalton turn right onto bridleway – if you reach Chalton Ancient Farm you’ve gone too far. 6. Climb between fields then descend to a corner of woodland. Keep left and follow the bridleway all the way back to Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. | |||||
| WMB145.Queen Elizabeth Country Park_Moderate | wmbsu | Feb 4th, 02:57 | 7km |
|
|
| Start/Finish Queen Elizabeth Country Park, SU719185 Total distance 7km (4.4 miles) Total ascent 232m (761 feet) Total time 0.5-1 hour Summary Fun, fast loop that mixes fresh purpose-built singletrack with some older sections for a more varied feel than some trails 1. The Red trail is fully waymarked, but here are the directions for completeness. Start at Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. From the car park, facing the front of the visitor centre, go left through the gap in the fence and turn right along the level trail skirting the edge of the woods. 2. After 300m turn left onto singletrack, following a switchback climb before joining forest road. Continue to climb on forest road for a few hundred metres before picking up next section of singletrack dropping down and doubling back to the left. 3. A singletrack loop descends then climbs to rejoin forest road briefly. Next singletrack section goes right, climbing steadily (with a couple of short steep sections) to crossing with forest road. Cross over to join next section of singletrack that descends for 1.3km on feature-laden trail with some steep sections. 4. Cross over road and attack the short, very steep climb before swinging right onto mellower gradient. After 350m bear right onto final descent, initially swooping with large berms and some jumps further down. 5. At car park go straight over the road, through gap in fence and follow easy trail back to visitor centre. Not enough for you? Just go around again... | |||||
| WMB146.Cambrian Mountains_Classic | wmbsu | Mar 14th, 01:59 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, by Red Kite statue, LD5 4RA Total distance 53.1km (33 miles) Total ascent 2298m (7539ft) Total time 3.5-6 hours Map OS Explorer, Llandovery No 187 Summary A big, tough backcountry ride exploring mid-Wales’s wild and wonderful natural trails, with some optional manmade ones to top it off MODERATE ROUTE DIRECTIONS From the square in the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, head south on the A483 (Llandovery (A483), taking third left junction with railway crossing and climb up through a farm. Enter the forest and keep ahead on a bridleway. Turn right at junction and continue ahead until a left turn. Turn left. At next junction turn right, to a TV mast and join a singletrack, uphill and right into the forestry block on a singletrack downhill through the trees to a road. Go left. Go right into Brynffo forestry commission car park, taking the right fork as you go through then next left at marker post No 7. Go uphill, then take fast rocky downhill, turning right and keep right at fork, uphill to marker post No 31 and turn left onto the singletrack, downhill. After a short climb turn right by marker post No 29 down a steep rocky trail to marker post No 28 and turn left onto flat singletrack. Turn right at the forest road and take next right turn and climb up to Esgair Fwyog car park and turn right on the Tarmac. When the road bears right go straight on, up the byway and keep going straight and eventually downhill to the second forest road and turn left. Join the bridleway on the right, at the corner and follow downhill, back to A483. Turn right, back into town. ADDITIONAL CLASSIC ROUTE DIRECTIONS 1 Follow the directions for the Moderate route and return to the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, before starting on the northern loop. 2 Head back out of town on the Abergwesyn road, turning right (signposted Kilsby B&B), climbing up steep Tarmac. Go through a gate onto a rocky track which leads onto moorland. Go through a gate and then downhill, across a fire road and keep going, eventually through a ford and go right on singletrack. 3 Turn right at the end of the singletrack, followed by a left at a fork heading uphill for a long climb. Turn left at the next fire road. After 100m take the faint track to the left (on a right-hand bend). Continue on a fast downhill through trees then into singletrack switchback to a fire road. Turn right. At a junction go straight ahead (not the forest road climb). 4 Follow the track in the valley to the next fire road then turn right and climb another fire road, taking the next left, on a track to a house. Turn left at a fire road and look for faint track on the right going to Llofft-y-Bardd (if you miss it follow the Red trail to Coed Trawllm café). 5 After Llofft-y-Bardd turn left on Tarmac and head to Coed Trawllm café and ride the trail centre trails. When finished in the trail centre, climb up the Red Route and at the top go straight on when the trail turns right, through a gate. 6 Follow the forest road and take the first left turn onto another forest road, which you follow to the right, to the next junction and turn left. Go left on the bridleway, heading to Bwlch Mawr, turning right at the Tarmac and climb through the next farm. Follow the bridleway to the woollen mill and turn right on the A483 to Llanwrtyd Wells. | |||||
| WMB146.Cambrian Mountains_Easy 1 | wmbsu | Mar 14th, 01:55 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Coed Trallwm trail centre car park, LD5 4TS Total distance 9km (5.6 miles) Total ascent 235m (771ft) Total time 0.5-1 hour Maps OS Explorer Llandovery No 187, or the trail centre map available from the café Summary Explore the remote forests of mid-Wales, but in the security and safety of waymarked and maintained trails 1 From the Coed Trallwm car park and café, follow the blue way markers under the footbridge and through the trees. (Remember to pay your £2 car park fee. If as when we visited the café is closed a collection box is still available.) After crossing over a little bridge climb up past the holiday cottages to the top where the forest track ends and continue on a singletrack descent. 2 After a dark, narrow section and stream crossing at the bottom of Fox’s Den, in the clearing, go left for 300 metres, then right for 300 metres on farm tracks. Just before the Black trail climb take the escape singletrack that will take you back down to the café/start. | |||||
| WMB146.Cambrian Mountains_Easy 2 | wmbsu | Mar 14th, 01:58 | 0km | ||
| 1 [3] From the Coed Trallwm café follow the Red marker posts, climbing along a road towards Abergwesyn, for 2km. Take care where it crosses a descending singletrack. At the top of Bryn Mawr, where the trails from Llanwrtyd Wells join Coed Trallwm, go to the right where the track levels off, then drop right on to a fast singletrack. 2 [4] Follow this left-handed traverse, switchback bend to a right-handed traverse before weaving downhill through the trees and across your previous ascent. Continue until a left-hand turn takes you onto the technical Five Springs section. Continue down to the road and the café. | |||||
| WMB146_Cambrian Mountains_Moderate | wmbsu | Mar 14th, 12:02 | 23.2km |
|
|
| Start/Finish Centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, by Red Kite statue, LD5 4RA Total distance 53.1km (33 miles) Total ascent 2298m (7539ft) Total time 3.5-6 hours Map OS Explorer, Llandovery No 187 Summary A big, tough backcountry ride exploring mid-Wales’s wild and wonderful natural trails, with some optional manmade ones to top it off 1 From the square in the centre of Llanwrtyd Wells, head south on the A483 (Llandovery (A483), taking third left junction with railway crossing and climb up through a farm. Enter the forest and keep ahead on a bridleway. Turn right at junction and continue ahead until a left turn. Turn left. 2 At next junction turn right, to a TV mast and join a singletrack, uphill and right into the forestry block on a singletrack downhill through the trees to a road. Go left. 3 Go right into Brynffo forestry commission car park, taking the right fork as you go through then next left at marker post No 7. Go uphill, then take fast rocky downhill, turning right and keep right at fork, uphill to marker post No 31 and turn left onto the singletrack, downhill. 4 After a short climb turn right by marker post No 29 down a steep rocky trail to marker post No 28 and turn left onto flat singletrack. Turn right at the forest road and take next right turn and climb up to Esgair Fwyog car park and turn right on the Tarmac. 5 When the road bears right go straight on, up the byway and keep going straight and eventually downhill to the second forest road and turn left. Join the bridleway on the right, at the corner and follow downhill, back to A483. Turn right, back into town. | |||||
| WMB147.The Quantocks_Classic | wmbsu | Apr 3rd, 10:06 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Holford car park, ST154410 Total distance 22km (13.7 miles) Total ascent 874m (2870ft) Total time 2-4 hours Maps OS Explorer No 140 Quantock Hills and Bridgwater Summary Short but challenging double loop of the northern combes. 1 Start in the car park in Holford, which you’ll find by turning off the A39 at the Plough Inn and following the lane (and signposts) for about 500m. Ride out of the car park back the way you came but take the first road on the right (signposted Holford Combe) and follow this through the village. 2 The Tarmac gives way to track before passing through a gate and continuing on (sometimes muddy) track. Continue up the valley, occasionally crossing the stream, for 1.2km until reaching a more open area with trail junction. Bear slightly left, over stream and climb more steeply. 3 At junction, turn right and follow trail to road. Cross straight over to singletrack opposite, gently climbing as it traverses the hillside. At road turn right, and either stay on the road or join trail running parallel on opposite side. Continue to car park at Dead Woman’s Ditch (just after road joins from the right), then cross road to pick up track heading west. 4 Stay on bridleway, ignoring trails to left and right, for 1.5km. At trail crossing continue straight on – watch out, bearing right looks more obvious but is the wrong way. Descend on wide, rocky track for 800m before turning hard right onto singletrack heading roughly north across hillside – if you reach a major trail junction you’ve missed it. 5 Follow obvious trail as it swings left and descends into woodland before sharp right turn. Trail traverses valley side, sometimes climbing a little but generally descending – stay low wherever possible. At trail junction just before river crossing, turn left and climb Lady’s Edge (steep!) to Bicknoller Post. 6 Cross the main track and descend northwest on grassy bumpy slope into Weacombe singletrack. Continue through gate on wider track and drop to final gate and lane. Turn immediately left over ford, through gate and up steep climb. Traverse hillside for 1km before dropping to join wider track at Bicknoller. 7 Turn left and follow track up long and increasingly steep climb to rejoin main ridge track. Follow main track north for 1.4km, past Bicknoller Post again, straight over at trail crossing and leaving high point of Beacon Hill to your left. 8 Look out for solitary trees on right indicating start of Smiths Combe descent heading northeast in obvious valley – initially on grass, then loose and rocky in the trees, finally on singletrack through multiple stream crossings. 9 At the trail junction at the bottom, cross the stream and head up the very steep climb eastwards. Continue straight on at the top, traversing the northern slopes of the Quantocks. After 800m descend to stream crossing. Bear right at the top of the steep climb out, continuing to climb over open ground. 10 At junction with wide trail, continue straight over. Cross the next wide trail too, continuing to climb to grassy outlook above Hodders Combe. Drop down the steep descent (bearing slightly right initially), cross the stream at the bottom. Turn left to follow obvious wide track back to car park. | |||||
| WMB147.The Quantocks_Easy | wmbsu | Apr 3rd, 10:11 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Triscombe Stone car park, ST163359 Total distance 11.4km (7 miles) Total ascent 179m (590ft) Total time 1-2 hours Maps OS Explorer No 140 Quantock Hills and Bridgwater 1 Exit the car park to the south over cattle grid through fence. Turn right and follow wide, mainly rocky, track heading northwest. Follow the track for 2km, continuing to the road at Crowcombe Park Gate. 2 Cross the road to pick up continuation of track opposite. Carry on to large trail junction. Bear left for uphill traverse, leaving Black Hill (and trig point) to your left. (Or, go straight on at junction and climb more steeply to the trig point, then turn left and drop back to main route, turning right when you meet the main trail.) 3 Descend to Halsway Post trail junction at ST140385. Turn sharp right (almost doubling back) to head east on sunken trail with a series of short ups and downs and loose rocky sections. Ignore all side turnings until you reach the road opposite Dead Woman’s Ditch car park. 4 Turn left on road. At fork, take the road to the left. Follow this for 500m and look for trail crossing. Turn right onto trail, climbing then traversing gently downhill. After about 1km you’ll meet another road. If conditions are dry, cross the road and turn right on trail running parallel to road. If it’s wet, stay on the road. 5 Follow the trail (or road) back to Dead Woman’s Ditch. Pass through the car park to pick up the trail that continues parallel to road. After 1.5km you’ll reach Crowcombe Park Gate again. Turn left on to the wide trail that you emerged from earlier and follow it all the way back to Triscombe Stone – it’s generally downhill in this direction. | |||||
| WMB147.The Quantocks_Moderate | wmbsu | Apr 3rd, 10:11 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Holford car park, ST154410 Total distance 17.9km (11 miles) Total ascent 528m (1700 ft) Total time 1.5-3 hours Map OS Explorer No 140 1 Turn right on road, then right signed Holford Combe. Continue as the Tarmac turns into stony track. Go through a gate and up the combe. 2 After 2.4km take left-hand trail at a fork. Turn right at junction and follow track to road. Cross to join Great Bear singletrack to a road at 4km. 3 Turn right and up the road. Join trail running parallel to the road. Follow to car park at Dead Woman’s Ditch. Descend to road at Crowcombe Park Gate. 4 Turn left on to wide track and follow for 2km. At 8.4km, turn left over cattle grid. Look for singletrack entrance on right, opposite car park. Follow track parallel to road. Cross the crossroads and through forestry gate. 5 Look for a trail on the left after about 200m. Descend on singletrack, around right-hand bend to trail junction. Turn left into woods. At trail junction take the steep, loose trail ahead. 6 At the bottom, turn left on to the valley bottom gravel road. Climb Rams Combe, emerging from trees onto slope. Continue to the road and cross it. At trail junction turn right to climb towards trig point. Pass to east of trig point to descend. At first crossroads turn left, following trail westwards. 7 After about 800m, turn right on singletrack descent. Follow into combe. Make sharp right-hand turn below log drop. Follow stream downhill through Somerton and Hodders Combes to return to the start point. | |||||
| WMB148.Exmoor_Classic | wmbsu | May 1st, 03:28 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Exford car park, SS854383 Total distance 35km (21 miles) Total ascent 968m (3175ft) Total time 3-5 hours 1 From car park turn left on road into Exford. Continue over bridge, then left to climb past mast. At crossroads turn left onto B3223. Climb, then descend to Comer’s Cross. Fork right after 100m. Bridleway crosses moorland between farm track on right and road on left, but can be indistinct – consider just taking the farm track. If following bridleway, continue straight for 800m to junction. Turn left to emerge at farm. 2 Follow Tarmac lane downhill. After 200m take bridleway to right into field. Cross field, through gate then drop on rutted singletrack to bridge over stream. Follow bridleway, with stream to your left, to riverside. Turn right and follow trail by the river. After 2.5km cross river via stepping stones. If the river’s high the road is 500m ahead via footpath. 3 Climb hillside to road, turn right and descend to Withypool. Cross bridge and climb on road. Take third road on the left and continue to climb, forking left onto Kitridge Lane/Two Moors Way. Continue on lane as Tarmac ends. Cross Lanacre Lane to pick up track opposite. Pass farm building on left. Continue on obvious trail roughly parallel to hedgerow. 4 At SS818370 fork right onto narrow moorland trail. Follow occasionally indistinct trail across moorland, to a hedgerow. Pass through gate and continue across field to join surfaced lane at opposite corner. Turn left along lane, drop down through farm and follow bridleway out the other side, along edge of field with hedge to right. 5 Traverse valley slopes with views of River Barle and Cow Castle to your left. Drop into side valley to cross White Water stream, climb out the other side. Obvious track ends at top of hill – turn left following bridleway marker then right to ride parallel to hedgerow (hedge to your right) heading north west. 6 At the lane by the farmyard, bear left into field (follow bridleway markers) and aim for gate opposite. Do the same for the next field. Once through second gate, keep left to gate near trees. Keep hedge to your right across final field. Go through gate to join singletrack (signposted to Simonsbath). 7 Turn left and follow trail through woods. At junction turn right for village and pub or left to continue loop. Follow singletrack down valley, keeping the river on your right. After 1.4km the trail diverts away from river around a hillock then returns to river. 1.5km further on trail diverges from river to run behind Cow Castle hill fort on occasionally indistinct trail, then returns. 8 At bridleway junction with bridge (missing at time of writing) continue ahead with river to your right, soon climbing on moorland trail to rejoin outward trail at SS818370. Turn right and follow track back across Lanacre Lane and on to rejoin Tarmac back down to Withypool. Upon regaining ‘main’ road, turn left and climb steeply eastwards to crossroads. Turn left. Ignore first bridleway on right after 600m and continue to second (1.5km from crossroads). 9 Cross fields with hedgerow to your left, through gates (follow blue blobs). After 1km turn left through gate (following bridleway sign), straight across field, through another gate then descend steeply on loose, rutted trail. Continue on obvious trail to reach lane then Tarmac. At junction, turn right and descend to Exford and start point. | |||||
| WMB148.Exmoor_Easy | wmbsu | May 1st, 03:36 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Winsford SS907349 Total distance 13.3km (8.3 miles) Total ascent 350m (1150ft) Total time 1.5-2 hours 1 Leave Winsford village, heading north. Climb for 2km to reach junction with two bridleways heading left as road goes right. Take second bridleway over bridge and through farm. Climb on track, alongside field then between hedges. 2 After 1.1km track swings right and continues to climb between hedges to T-junction. Turn left and follow track for 400m to reach Tarmac. Stay on lane as it swings right and descends. Watch for bridleway/lane to left – easy to miss as you descend. Descend on for 700m to farmhouse. Swing left as lane climbs briefly, then descends again to reach farm after 500m. 3 Continue through farmyard and gates to emerge in field after short climb. Bridleway traverses field on grass – trail is grass too, but reasonably distinct on sloping field. At next field boundary, the track becomes stony and easier to follow. After passing close to river on your right, the trail narrows and climbs, still roughly following the river but traversing up the valley side before starting to descend. 4 At gate continue on main track – there’s a signposted bridleway to the right running alongside the river, but it’s indistinct. Potentially pleasant if it’s bone dry, otherwise best avoided. If you go that way, continue to the junction at the bridge then turn left to climb back to main trail. Otherwise follow the main trail along the hamlet of Nethercote and over the bridge. 5 Stick to the main track along the river. Follow this over some undulations to the end. Go over the cattle grid and bridge, turn right on the road and retrace the first 2km downhill to Winsford. | |||||
| WMB148.Exmoor_Moderate | wmbsu | May 1st, 03:30 | 0km | ||
| Start/Finish Withypool, SS845354 Total distance 19.1km (11.9 miles) Total ascent 505m (1656 ft) Total time 1.5-2.5 hours 1 From car park, turn left over bridge and climb on road. Take third road on left and climb, forking left onto Kitridge Lane/Two Moors Way. Cross Lanacre Lane to track opposite. Pass farm building on left. 2 Continue on trail parallel to hedge. At SS818370 fork right onto moorland trail. Follow until you reach a hedgerow. Pass through gate. Continue across field to lane at opposite corner. 3 Turn left along lane, drop through farm and follow bridleway. Traverse valley slopes with views of River Barle and Cow Castle earthworks to your left. Drop into valley to cross White Water stream. At top of hill turn left following bridleway then right to ride parallel to hedge heading north west. 4 At lane by a farm, bear left into field and aim for gate opposite. Do same for next field. Once through second gate, keep left to gate near trees. Cross final field, then through gate to join singletrack. Turn left to follow trail through woods. 5 At junction turn right for village or left to continue loop. Follow singletrack down the valley. After 1.4km trail diverts from river around hillock then returns. 1.5km further on trail diverges from river to run behind Cow Castle hill fort, then returns. 6 At bridleway junction with bridge (missing at time of writing) continue with river to your right, climbing on moorland trail to rejoin outward trail at SS818370. Turn right and follow track across Lanacre Lane to join Tarmac back to Withypool. | |||||
Go to page: << previous | 1 | 2 | next >>