Reviews for Harlestone Firs

Summary:
Fun trails are hard to find

Review:
These trails are fun but hard to find all of them it's good for all riders as there are jumps single track and just little trails through the woods

Summary:
Decent ride

Review:
Some good trails but some are dying into earth. Good for local trails and a few nice jumps.

Summary:
Good for a quick blast

Review:
Recently found this place. Not a great deal of variety, mostly xc with a few hidden jumps. Main routes are wide, flatish, gravel paths. When you spot a trail that veers off then explore it, you may find some quite fast technical bits and even some jumps and berms. Be careful though as the hidden tracks are normally overgrown with stinging nettles and brambles but you won't feel it until you get home. There are also some decent strava sections if you're into that.

Summary:
Handy if you're local

Review:
These are my local trails so ride them regularly. First thing to remember is it's not a dedicated trail centre; it's an open access working forest complete with saw mill in the middle of it. As such, you'll find yourself in amongst the dog walkers, equestrians, ramblers, parents letting their kids off the leash... it's quite a popular place with everyone, so remember this and ride courteously so we can carry on riding here!

Right then, that said it is a good place to hone your off-road skills. Plenty of trails for varying technical abilities criss-crossing the forest... as it's a working forest, the layout is almost constantly evolving, with new trails being created and old ones lost to forestry operations occassionally. This isn't a bad thing though, it adds variety to what would probably be a slightly bland experience otherwise... it's no Forest Of Dean or Cannock Chase, but if you're willing to venture off the beaten path and take one of those many little inlets you can see branching off the main access trails, then there's a number of secret gems hidden in the trees and undergrowth.

Be brave, go explore and get a bit lost. And watch out for the walkers and horses!

EDIT: As of September 2016, Harlestone Firs is undergoing heavy forestry operations (thinning out and replanting). While there are still some rideable trails and bridleways, a lot of the off-piste singletrack has been destroyed by these operations unfortunately. These works are expected to carry on in to the first part of 2017, so bear this in mind if you wish to ride here. I certainly wouldn't recommend making a special trip to ride here as things stand.

Summary:
Good local fun

Review:
I'm really thankful for a local place to ride with what I think is a really neat piece of single-track ( the tight and twisty bit down the side of the woods) The small jump trail is rollable for the likes of me but excellent fun and just a few pedals get you back up for another go. Umpteen trail options make for an enjoyable few hours out exploring (makes me feel like a kid again) and it's just half an hour away from my house.