Cycling and wheels
Mountain bike trail centres
Waymarked forest trails graded by difficulty.
- Hardintensity
- ~560kcal per hour
- Mid costbudget
- Mediumimpact
Is mountain bike trail centres right for you?
Waymarked forest trails graded by difficulty. It is a hard-intensity, medium impact activity that you can do outdoors, on your own or in a group. Expect to burn around 560 calories an hour, based on a 70 kg person.
Easy to pick up. Expect to spend up to about £50 a month.
Why try mountain bike trail centres
- Improves fitness. It raises your heart rate and builds stamina.
- Teaches a skill. There is always something new to learn, which keeps it interesting.
How to start mountain bike trail centres
Ride a green or blue trail at your nearest trail centre.
Get the basics: mountain bike, helmet. Borrow or hire before you buy.
Keep the first few sessions short and easy, and aim for two or three a week.
Warm up for five minutes first, build up gradually and stop if anything hurts.
A 4-week starter plan
| Week | Sessions | Minutes each | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 45 | Learn the basics and keep every session easy. |
| 2 | 1 | 60 | Repeat last week and add a little time. |
| 3 | 2 | 75 | Add a session or make one a bit harder. |
| 4 | 2 | 90 | Your longest week. Book or plan what comes next. |
This is general guidance, not medical advice. If you have a health condition or injury, check with your GP before you start.
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Not sure mountain bike trail centres is for you?
Take the two-minute quiz and we will match you with activities that fit your goals, mood, budget and fitness.