Places to ride: Swinley Forest

Located between Bracknell and Crowthorne, Swinley Forest is a crown estate that has been turned into a mountain biking hub with Blue and Red singletrack trails, a freeride area and some downhill tracks.

Swinley’s start point is the car park at the Lookout Discovery centre (opposite Coral Reef swimming pool which is a bit better signposted). This is where you will also find the Swinley Bike Hub – a small bike parts shop and hire centre with a bike wash at £1 a go for when you’ve finished. The blue trail starts round the back, with the Red trail beginning half way round the Blue and the Freeride zone and downhills on the other side of Red.

The Trails

The is a short 1km family loop, but the first full length trail is the 10km Blue trail. Swinley doesn’t have massive elevation, but makes great use of the natural singletrack in the forest, giving an undulating bermed dance through the trees, with constant changes to keep you interested.

Half way round the Blue trail is the entrance to the Red trail. This is a step up (as you’d expect), with tighter, steeper sections, both up and down. One of the standouts is the “Labyrinth” section, where you seeming follow a dried up stream, with a flow like water through tight turns in the trees. And don’t be fooled by what look like a simple fireroad climb either – your lungs and legs will grade it otherwise!

Just off the Red trail you will also find the Freeride area – a gully with multiple jump lines and large tabletops. Lots of variety to build up and then push your skills.

LinkCrown Estates Swinley MTB leaflet