Sitting near the border of the Midlands and Wales, many riders choose to drive past Hopton Woods onto the better-known trail centres and riding areas in North or South Wales. That’s a mistake because while it might not boast big mountains, the hills in the Welsh Marches still offer plenty of height and technical challenge to those that want it and this little gem has a bit of something for riders of all disciplines.
There are a number of old-school downhill tracks, so pure gravity fiends are well catered for, but there are also excellent blue and red graded cross-country routes, plus more enduro trails hidden in the woods. While none of the descents goes on for more than a few minutes, they’re fast and fun and still offer a good technical challenge.
Facilities here are basic, with only a picnic area (without toilets) and parking on offer, so make sure you’ve got everything you need before parking up.
