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Delamere
Forest, Cheshire
Ridden & Reviewed by the Cycle1st Team Update : 12th September 2006 |
Review Sponsored by Evans Cycles
Delamere Forest is a well known venue for Mountain Bikers in the North West of England and especially those living within the Merseyside, Manchester and Greater Manchester areas. Also for those around Chester and east Wales or as far south as Crewe it is an available trail to reach. Delamere station is situated on the outskirts of the forest and is a 5 minute walk from the Visitor centre...called Linmere Visitors Centre. It houses an enjoyable Café with an old world interior and an outside seating provision. There is also a reasonable car park there. The specially marked footpaths and cycle trails are carefully planned to guide visitors around this diverse forest. The Linmere
Visitors Centre, at Delamere, houses a relaxing cafe, shop, and
the fantastic Shell Forest Classroom. Again there is provision to
eat in or outside under an elaborate wooden canopy or at the ubiquitous
tables and benches.
It
has to be emphasised that the official trails are principally fire
road but many Off-road riders have, for a number of years, created
endless miles of unofficial trails. |
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Forestry Commission have actually allocated a dedicated “ Bike Skills
Area “ in part of the forest and this is again certainly worth going
to, especialy if you're into extreme riding. As you ride along the numerous fire roads you are constantly distracted by seemingly endless paths leading off the main drag and inviting you to explore hidden trails. A guide map for the forest, which is available from the Visitor Centre, can also be used to follow the waymarked cycle trails or to create your own routes through the forest. There are 2 waymarked trails... |
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1. Hunger Hill Trail - start at Delamere Visitor Centre - blue waymarkers - 4 miles - 0.5 hour - easy 2. Whitemoor Trail - start at Delamere Visitor Centre - white waymarkers - 7 miles - 1 hour - easy |
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The forest tends to give more of a fragmented ride, with plenty of areas to practice skills, rather than a continuous trail. However for those who ride there regularly, I’m confident that many continuous miles of riding are possible the more familiar the rider becomes. Created recently are a few "North Shore" areas of raised wooden rideways, some of which are there to give access from one section to another and certainly one of which is there for you to practice your bike skills. And this later one is a good skills tester in the wet and at speed. We have certainly found that no matter how many times you visit Delamere you'll always come across something new, be it an unexplored track leading into the forest to a drop off or decent that you fancy having a crack at. Remember when
riding away from the designated trails to respect the forest and
walkers alike. |
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The Bike Skills areas have to be seen to be believed and are not for the faint hearted. The man made jumps are extreme to say the least and Ive yet to see anyone actually use them on the many trips to the place. INFORMATION
Situated approximately
10 miles from the outskirts of Chester and close to the M56. The
forest park is well sign posted from the A54, A556 and B5152. |
"Extreme" Bike Skills Area   |
ACCOMODATION
Nearby Frodsham villiage
offers numerous places to stay including bed and breakfasts.
Alternatively nearby Chester has everything you'll need in the way of
accomodation from Hotels to Travel Lodges
to B & Bs.
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TIME NEEDED You could spend
all day here and probably will if you loose your bearings which
is easy to do as many of the fire roads and trails look very similar. |