New to the Forest? Start Here
Never ridden Cannop before? Here's an order that actually works:
1. Get oriented — park at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, hire a bike at Pedalabikeaway if you need one, and grab a trail map.
2. Warm up on the Family/Colliers Trail (Green) — flat, wide, gravel. This is where you get a feel for the terrain and the bike before anything technical.
3. Step up to Verderers (Blue) — flowing berms, a proper descent, still forgiving if you're new to this.
4. Only then try Freeminers (Red) — switchbacks, roots, real climbs. Red isn't "a bit harder than blue" — it's a different category of riding. If you're not confident yet, that's completely normal.
Something for everyone (non-riders)
Riding solo, or got non-riders along for the trip? The Forest of Dean earns its keep beyond the trails:
Puzzlewood — atmospheric ancient woodland walk, easy and otherworldly.
Clearwell Caves — underground iron-mining caverns and museum, ties straight into the mining history you'll ride past on the Colliers Trail.
Symonds Yat Rock — viewpoint famous for peregrine falcons and goshawks.
Beechenhurst Sculpture Trail — gentle walk, easy with kids, right by where the bus drops you.
Dean Forest Railway — heritage steam line from Parkend.
Go Ape — treetop adventure course, if someone wants their own kind of adrenaline.