If you’re after proper off-road riding rather than quiet country lanes, Gisburn Forest is the place to head – and it’s one of the reasons we keep e-mountain bikes in our hire fleet alongside our road-going models.
Where It Is
Gisburn Forest sits around the northern and eastern shores of Stocks Reservoir, roughly 10 miles from our Dunsop Bridge base via Slaidburn. It’s widely regarded as one of the best mountain biking destinations in Lancashire, with a network of way-marked trails suitable for everyone from complete beginners to experienced off-road riders.
The Trails
The forest has graded routes ranging from gentle, wide forest roads perfect for families, through to more technical single-track sections for riders looking for a proper workout. An e-mountain bike genuinely changes what’s achievable here – the extra power means you can tackle longer loops or repeat climbs without running out of legs, so you get more descending in for the same amount of effort.
Because the trails wind through mixed conifer and broadleaf woodland, there’s welcome shade even on hot summer days, and the ground stays rideable for longer after rain than the open moorland further into Bowland.
Stocks Reservoir and Wildlife
The reservoir itself is one of United Utilities’ most important sites for wildfowl, and it’s common to spot herons, oystercatchers and a wide variety of ducks along the shoreline as you ride past. Quieter sections of the forest are also good territory for spotting roe deer, particularly early in the morning.
Getting There and Back
The ride out from Dunsop Bridge via Slaidburn is a scenic warm-up in its own right, with a couple of decent climbs that are made entirely manageable by the e-bike’s motor. Many riders treat the forest trails as the main event and the ride there and back as a bonus extra 20 miles of Bowland scenery.
What to Bring
As with any off-road riding, a little more preparation pays off – decent footwear, a spare inner tube (we can supply one with hire), and a bit more water than you’d take on a road ride, since forest trails take more out of you than tarmac.
Browse our e-mountain bikes or contact us to check availability for Gisburn Forest.