Bristol Trails Group

The Forest of Avon Timberland Trail runs through Ashton Court Estate and 50 Acre Wood. The Ashton Court section is managed by Bristol City Council and the 50 Acre Wood section is managed by the Forestry Commission. The trail opened in 2003 and is currently being repaired. There are regular repair sessions in Ashton Court on the first Saturday of every month. We are also redeveloping the trail in 50 Acre Wood, which has recently been rerouted and a new easy section added by the Forestry Commission. A map showing the changed route can be found here. Check the forum for details of trailbuilding sessions in 50 Acre Wood.

LEIGH WOODS

Leigh Woods is jointly owned and managed by the Forestry Commission and the National Trust. Mountain biking is permitted on official and unofficial trails in most of the wood, providing that this does not damage protected areas or create conflicts between mountain bikers and other user groups. Apart from the areas signposted as "No Cycling", the protected areas include Paradise Bottom and the adjacent valley. Riders are also asked not to build any trails involving surfacing or structures due to liability issues.

ASHTON HILL PLANTATION

Ashton Hill Plantation is owned and managed by the Forestry Commission. Mountain biking is permitted there. During the winter months riders are asked to stick to surfaced paths.

ABBOTS POOL/FISH PONDS WOOD

Abbots Pool (the wooded area with a fishing lake, situated between Leigh Woods and 50 Acre Wood) is managed by the Abbots Leigh Civic Society, a local conservation group. The group has expressed concern over use of the wood by mountain bikers, and riders are asked to use the main bridleway through the bottom of the wood, or Yew Tree Plantation (also known as the Orchard or the Fern Trail), which is owned by the Forestry Commission.

STILL aka PROVIDENCE PLANTATION

The land on which this short downhill course is built is owned by Bristol University . Access to the land is free to anyone who wants to ride, but there is a code of conduct, which was introduced following complaints by local residents and concerns over liability, access and conservation issues. Improvements and additions to the trails are currently taking place and a mailing list has been set up to organise digs and keep riders informed of the issues. To join the mailing list send mail to majordomoATbris.ac.uk with "subscribe mtb-still" in the message body. The code of conduct will be included in your initial confirmation email. Send messages for the list to mtb-stillATbris.ac.uk. Feel free to use the forum on this site for discussion or organising digs as well.