FunkyBikes riding guide
Where to Ride Your Electric Mountain Bike in the UK
From flowing forest trails and technical descents to dedicated bike parks, discover some of the UK's best mountain biking destinations and plan your next eMTB adventure.
An electric mountain bike can make longer rides and steep climbs more manageable, giving you more time to enjoy the trails. The UK has riding destinations for every ability, whether you are planning your first off road adventure or looking for your next technical challenge. Use the map to explore locations across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Find mountain bike trails on the UK map
Choose a country or search for a venue. Select a map marker to see a short description and visit the venue's official website.
Trail centre or forest Bike park
Map markers show approximate venue locations, not the individual trail routes. Map data and tiles are provided by OpenStreetMap contributors. Check the venue's own website for current trail status, access rules, parking and facilities.
The best places to ride in Wales
Wales has an outstanding mountain biking scene, with everything from woodland routes to world class downhill parks.
Merthyr Tydfil · Bike park
1. BikePark Wales
One of the UK's best known mountain bike destinations, with an extensive network of trails for beginners through to experienced riders. Facilities include uplift, bike hire, coaching and a café.
DownhillTrail ridingProgression
eMTB: BikePark Wales offers a dedicated eBike Pedal Pass. Check its current bike eligibility and booking conditions before travelling.
Visit BikePark Wales ↗
Dolgellau · Trail centre
2. Coed y Brenin
Set in woodland in Eryri, Coed y Brenin was the UK's first purpose built mountain bike trail centre. Routes range from easier family rides to demanding technical trails.
Forest trailsCross country
Visit Natural Resources Wales ↗
Port Talbot · Trail centre
3. Afan Forest Park
A legendary Welsh mountain biking destination with forest trails, flowing singletrack and challenging descents. The area includes Afan Visitor Centre and Glyncorrwg.
Forest ridingCross country
Explore Afan with Natural Resources Wales ↗
Machynlleth · Bike park
4. Dyfi Bike Park
A gravity focused bike park in Dyfi Forest, with challenging downhill trails and an uplift service. It is best suited to riders who are confident on technical terrain.
DownhillTechnical
Visit Dyfi Bike Park ↗
Blaenau Ffestiniog · Bike park
5. Antur Stiniog
A gravity focused centre in the dramatic landscape of North Wales. Its downhill trails combine flowing corners, rocky terrain and technical challenges, with uplift facilities.
DownhillTechnical
Find Antur Stiniog at Mountain Bike Wales ↗
Carmarthenshire · Trail centre
6. Brechfa Forest
A woodland riding destination with routes from easier trails to challenging technical singletrack. The Gorlech and Raven trails are popular with more experienced riders.
WoodlandSingletrack
Explore Brechfa with Natural Resources Wales ↗
Aberystwyth · Trail centre
7. Bwlch Nant yr Arian
In the Cambrian Mountains, this centre offers purpose built mountain bike trails and spectacular views. The Syfydrin route is a rewarding longer ride.
Scenic routesCross country
Visit Natural Resources Wales ↗
Newport · Trail centre
8. Cwmcarn Forest
A South Wales riding destination with challenging forest trails and technical sections. Its location makes it a useful option for riders travelling from Cardiff, Newport and Bristol.
Forest ridingTechnical
Check Cwmcarn trail information ↗
Wrexham · Trail centre
9. Coed Llandegla
A privately managed trail centre with woodland routes, a skills area and facilities for riders of different abilities.
All abilitiesSkills area
Visit Coed Llandegla ↗
Eryri · Trail centre
10. Penmachno Trails
A community managed trail network with challenging climbs, forest singletrack and rewarding descents through the North Wales countryside.
SingletrackCross country
Find Penmachno at Mountain Bike Wales ↗
The best places to ride in England
England has an extensive network of forest trails and mountain bike centres, from the Lake District to the forests of the South West.
Gloucestershire · Trail centre
11. Forest of Dean Cycle Centre
A major mountain biking destination with downhill trails, cross country routes and gentler cycling options for different abilities.
DownhillCross countryVisit Forestry England ↗
North Yorkshire · Trail centre
12. Dalby Forest
A large network of trails, from easier woodland routes to demanding technical riding in the North York Moors.
Forest trailsAll abilitiesVisit Forestry England ↗
Staffordshire · Trail centre
13. Cannock Chase
Home to well known routes including the Monkey Trail, Cannock Chase is popular for flowing singletrack and more challenging sections.
SingletrackCross countryVisit Forestry England ↗
Lake District · Trail centre
14. Grizedale Forest
Mountain bike trails in a beautiful Lake District setting, including demanding technical sections and routes through the forest.
Scenic ridingTechnicalVisit Forestry England ↗
County Durham · Trail centre
15. Hamsterley Forest
A varied network of woodland trails with options for riders building confidence and those looking for more technical challenges.
WoodlandMixed abilityVisit Forestry England ↗
Northumberland · Trail centre
16. Kielder Forest
A vast forest landscape with cycling routes ranging from longer distance forest rides to more demanding mountain bike trails.
Big ridesForest roadsVisit Kielder ↗
Nottinghamshire · Trail centre
17. Sherwood Pines
Flowing singletrack through the forest, with several routes designed for different riding abilities.
Flow trailsWoodlandVisit Forestry England ↗
Devon · Trail centre
18. Haldon Forest Park
A popular destination with trails for beginners and experienced riders, plus views across the surrounding countryside.
Beginner friendlyForest trailsVisit Forestry England ↗
Cumbria · Trail centre
19. Whinlatter Forest
A Lake District forest destination with mountain bike routes and views across the surrounding fells.
Forest trailsScenic ridingVisit Forestry England ↗
Kent · Trail centre
20. Bedgebury Forest
A family friendly forest cycling destination with marked trails and routes through the woodland.
WoodlandLeisure ridesVisit Forestry England ↗
Norfolk · Trail centre
21. High Lodge, Thetford Forest
A forest cycling destination with a choice of routes through the Brecks. Check the available mountain bike routes and facilities before travelling.
Forest cyclingLeisure ridesVisit Forestry England ↗
The best places to ride in Scotland
Scotland is a mountain biking favourite, with forest trail centres, rugged landscapes and challenging downhill destinations.
Scottish Borders · Trail centre
22. Glentress
Part of the 7stanes network, Glentress has routes for beginners and experienced riders, with forest singletrack and technical challenges.
All abilitiesCross countryVisit Forestry and Land Scotland ↗
Scottish Borders · Trail centre
23. Innerleithen
Known for downhill trails and challenging cross country riding, Innerleithen is a destination for riders who enjoy technical terrain.
DownhillExperienced ridersVisit Forestry and Land Scotland ↗
Dumfries and Galloway · Trail centre
24. Ae Forest
A varied trail centre with green, blue and red routes, plus a more demanding downhill section and skills area.
All abilitiesDownhillExplore the 7stanes ↗
Dumfries and Galloway · Trail centre
25. Dalbeattie
Famous for granite rock features and coastal views, Dalbeattie offers a distinctive mountain biking experience.
TechnicalRock featuresExplore the 7stanes ↗
Galloway Forest Park · Trail centre
26. Kirroughtree
A varied trail network with options from gentle green routes to technically challenging singletrack.
Cross countryAll abilitiesExplore the 7stanes ↗
Strathmashie · Trail centre
27. Laggan Wolftrax
A well known Highland trail centre with fast, technical and feature filled trails in a forest setting.
Technical trailsHighlandsVisit Laggan Wolftrax ↗
Galloway Forest Park · Trail centre
28. Glentrool
A scenic destination with enjoyable routes for families and beginners, including a blue graded trail and longer gravel ride.
Beginner friendlyScenic routesExplore the 7stanes ↗
Dumfries · Trail centre
29. Mabie Forest
A popular forest centre with trails for beginners through to experienced riders, plus a skills area.
Skills areaAll abilitiesExplore the 7stanes ↗
The best places to ride in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has forest trails and dedicated mountain biking areas, with routes set among some beautiful landscapes.
County Tyrone · Trail centre
30. Davagh Forest
A forest setting with purpose built mountain bike trails for different abilities. Check current notices because forestry work or maintenance can affect individual trails.
Forest trailsAll abilitiesVisit Mid Ulster District Council ↗
County Down · Trail centre
31. Rostrevor
Set in the Mourne Mountains, Rostrevor is known for challenging mountain bike trails and spectacular views.
Technical ridingExperienced ridersCheck Northern Ireland cycling information ↗
County Down · Trail centre
32. Castlewellan Forest Park
A popular outdoor destination with a mountain bike trail network, including green, blue, red and black options. Bike hire is available locally.
Mixed abilitiesForest trailsCheck Northern Ireland cycling information ↗
Can you ride an electric mountain bike on UK mountain bike trails?
In general, a UK legal electric mountain bike is treated like a regular pedal cycle for access purposes. That does not mean every trail or privately managed bike park automatically allows eMTBs. Individual venues can have their own conditions, so check before travelling.
What makes an electric bike road legal in the UK?
- It must have pedals that can propel the bike.
- The motor's maximum continuous rated power must not exceed 250 watts.
- Motor assistance must cut off when the bike reaches 15.5mph (25km/h).
- The rider must be aged 14 or over.
These are the main Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycle (EAPC) requirements. Different rules apply to electric bikes that do not meet them.
Read the official GOV.UK electric bike rules ↗
Forestry England states that legal e-bikes and eMTBs are welcome on trails, public rights of way and forest roads where pedal cycles are permitted. Other trail operators may have additional conditions, including passes or restrictions on particular routes.
In Scotland, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the rules published by the local land manager. In all parts of the UK, respect closures, other trail users, livestock and the natural environment.
Forestry England: electric powered transport and where e-bikes can go ↗
Tips for planning your next electric mountain bike ride
- Choose the right trail: Green routes are generally easiest, followed by blue, red and black. Read the trail grading information before setting off.
- Check your battery: Plan around the distance, elevation and assistance level you expect to use.
- Check trail conditions: Forestry work, bad weather and maintenance can cause closures or diversions.
- Bring essentials: Carry water, a basic repair kit, a suitable helmet and a charged mobile phone.
- Respect other users: Slow down near walkers, horses and other cyclists, and follow the trail code.
Electric mountain biking FAQs
Are electric mountain bikes allowed on UK trails?
Road legal pedal assisted e-bikes can generally use places where ordinary pedal cycles are allowed. A private trail centre or bike park can set additional rules, so check its current eMTB policy before visiting.
Are all electric mountain bikes legal in the UK?
No. For an electric bike to be treated as an EAPC, it must have pedals, a motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250 watts and assistance that cuts off at 15.5mph. The rider must be at least 14. Bikes that do not meet the rules may be treated as motor vehicles.
What do the mountain bike trail colours mean?
Green is generally the easiest grade, followed by blue, red and black. Some centres also have bike park or extreme routes. Always read the grading guidance at the venue because trail features and difficulty vary.
Do I need a special pass for an eMTB?
Some venues have specific eMTB passes or booking conditions. BikePark Wales, for example, advertises a dedicated eBike Pedal Pass. Check each venue's current information before you travel.
Can I ride an electric mountain bike on public footpaths?
No. EAPCs can be used where pedal cycles are legally permitted, but ordinary public footpaths are not generally open to cycling. Check the status of the route and local access rules before riding.
Ready to find your next ride?
Whether you fancy a woodland adventure, a challenging mountain descent or a full day at a dedicated bike park, the UK has plenty of places to explore on an electric mountain bike.
Explore Electric Mountain Bikes at FunkyBikes