The Forest of Dean might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of iconic cycling destinations… but after this ride, it absolutely should be. In this vlog I set out for a full day of riding in one of England’s oldest surviving woodlands, starting from New Fancy car park and joining the Colliers Family Trail towards the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre. The moment you enter the forest, you’re surrounded by rolling hills, ancient oak woodland and a landscape shaped by centuries of history. Once a royal hunting forest and later a hub for coal mining and ironworking, today the Forest of Dean has become a paradise for outdoor adventure. On the way to the trail centre, the ride passes the beautiful Cannop Ponds. Originally built in 1825 to supply water to a nearby ironworks, these lakes are now a peaceful wildlife haven. Ducks, swans and dragonflies skim across the water, walkers stroll the shoreline, and the calm atmosphere makes it the perfect warm-up before the main ride begins. Arriving at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre — the main hub for cycling in the forest — it’s easy to see why this place is so popular. With bike hire, a café, parking, a skills area and trails for every level of rider, it’s the perfect base whether you’re here for a relaxed family day out or a full-on mountain bike session. Today’s goal: the Verderers Trail. This 11 km blue-graded mountain bike route is widely considered one of the best flow trails in the UK, designed to be fun, progressive and confidence-building without being overly technical. The trail begins with a gentle climb that winds through tall pines and dappled sunlight, giving your legs time to warm up before the real fun starts. As the trail unfolds, it transforms into a rollercoaster of sweeping berms, flowing corners, undulating rollers and fast woodland descents. The track snakes through mossy banks and under arching trees, linking corner after corner in a way that keeps your speed high and the smiles constant. Short punchy climbs break up the flow just enough to keep things interesting, before tipping you into another thrilling descent. Midway through, the trail becomes playful, with small jumps and whoops that let you lift the wheels if you’re feeling confident. You weave between open sunlit sections and shaded corridors of spruce and oak, before carving through the final set of sculpted berms that bring you flying back to the cycle centre with that unmistakable “let’s do it again” feeling. After a well-earned café stop, the ride continues — and this is where the Forest of Dean really shows its wild side. I was lucky enough to spot deer crossing the trail, a reminder that this forest is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Fallow deer, roe deer and muntjac roam the woodland, while wild boar have returned after centuries away. Buzzards soar overhead, woodpeckers echo through the trees, and kingfishers dart along the forest streams. To finish the day, I rejoined the Family Trail to loop back towards New Fancy car park. This relaxed route follows old railway lines that once served the region’s coal and iron industries, creating gentle gradients and wide, easy riding. Along the way, you pass remnants of the forest’s industrial past — old sidings, loading bays and former colliery sites — now reclaimed by nature and surrounded by peaceful woodland. By the end of the ride, the Forest of Dean had delivered the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Flow trails, wildlife, history and beautiful scenery all wrapped into one unforgettable day on the bike. If you enjoyed this ride, don’t forget to like, subscribe and check out the other cycling adventures on the channel 🌍🚴♀️
