Riding Spot: Swinley Forest

Published on June 30, 2008

Swinley Forest is an area of Windsor Forest, owned and managed by The Crown Estate, comprising of 2600 acres of mainly Scots Pine woodland. It is located between Bracknell and Bagshot to the west of the A322. Cycling is permitted on hard tracks and within a specific expert mountain bike area. The wide variety of trails is suitable for everyone from families to cross-country riders, freeriders and downhillers. A permit is required if you are over 16, at £2 for a day or £18 for an annual permit.

Swinley Forest is full of hidden singletrack and has something for all types of riders. Whether its cross-country, freeride, or downhill, there are many well maintained trails for you to ride and enjoy. The only thing Swinley Forest lacks is northshore, but this is banned by the forestry commision and all the secret shore is long gone.

The ‘gulley jumps’ or ’sandy cutting’ is a large gulley, running alongside a fire road, with a variety of different jumps in tables, cut-out tables, hips etc. They are all fully rollable for the less confident rider out there. There’s a choice of doing the larger jumps, called the extensions, or the smaller jumps. This makes for many different lines that can be taken all along the gulley to drop in ranging from small 2ft gaps to larger 10ft gaps.

There are miles upon miles of cross-country single track to follow, one of the best and longest being the ‘Full Nine Yards’ which comprises fast, smooth singletrack, flowing up and down the hills with man made berms all the way.

In the Expert area, Swinley keeps all kinds of riders amused from Downhillers to XC’ers. It has several Downhill tracks, with many splitting off or starting around 10 meters away from each other. The main Downhill track is known as the ‘Baby Maker’, which features smooth berms throughout and quite a few steep switchbacks. If you fancy a go at jumping, the ‘Baby Maker’ has lots of table tops which are fun for any level of rider. Many compare it to an mini A-Line (one of whistlers best and most famous tracks), and its easy to see why with all the tables and smooth berms. Sadly its a lot shorter, but it will have to do for us Southerners! ‘Baby Maker’ is a great track for experienced riders who like to rag it down trails or beginners wanting to get into the sport.

There are also many hucks and drops of all sizes from a couple of feet up to 35ft in length. If you are wanting to hit up the trails and get the best out of your time there it is recomended to go with somebody who knows the area so they can take you to all the best trails and you dont have to spend hours riding up and down the extensive maze of fire tracks to find some single track.

With many facilities such as a hands on Science and Nature exhibition, gift shop, cafe, picnic area, children’s play area and the Coral reef swimming pool on the edge of the forest and 2600 acres of Crown Estate woodland with walks, nature trails and orienteering adjoining the centre, Swinley provides everything you need for a good day out.