Address: Birches Valley, Rugeley, WS15 2UQ, United Kingdom
Rating: 4.7
based on 162 reviews.
Trail Quality
Pros:
"Great trails with steep climbs and some technical and some fast descents, nicely maintained by Chase Trails."
"When I went on my first ride, I had an amazing experience and wanted to do it again."
"The trails are totally awesome especially now after the commonwealth games, so many different trails suitable for all ages and expertise."
"Really nice if you do both follow the dog and the monkey trail. Very well built trails I'd say and it always feels like the climbs are paid off with lovely descent."
"Trails are well maintained and offer some decent descents that will test most people."
"This was a wonderfully well-maintained biking trail. Clear markings helped us to see how to follow the correct trail for our level of ability."
"Absolutely brilliant track. I'd say the main loop is for experienced riders only with good mtbs. Extremely challenging climbs, but wonderful jumps, dropouts, tech features and the downhill sections are great."
Cons:
"Its had a revamp Devils stair case is not a stair case anymore the log has gone and a few big drops have vanished not as challenging as a couple of years ago."
"Decent bike trails but some of them are in a poor state and those that are really frequently used are on a constant cycle (no pun intended) of wear and repair."
"The MTB trails are not very well marked out. Very easy to take a wrong turn off the main track as we did."
"MTB trails in very poor condition. Not enjoyable to ride at all."
"Rocks, rocks and more rocks! On the top of that there are many diversions at all the time, which makes it impossible to ride the best bits of the trails."
"Bike trails are peppered with erosion greatly reducing the fun and flow."
"Sorry to say but this trail centre has got worse since the birth of ebikes, this and a lot other trail centres are getting ripped to bits by people on ebikes, they need banning from regular trails, all the fun parts have been ruined by braking bumps and ruts."
Parking and Cost
Pros:
"Car Park £6 all day, which is a little steep."
"Well priced cafe for food and icecream and plentiful parking."
"Good family day out. Fantastic trails with something for all abilities. Reasonable priced parking."
"Parking is relatively cheap, if cost is a concern it's best to keep your eye on the time."
"Great facilities and great clean toilets."
"Parking is just £4.00 for the entire day which goes to help maintain the two trails - Follow the Dog (12km) and The Monkey Trail (24km)."
"Parking seems expensive at now £8 for the day but given you don't pay to use the bike trails, this is good value."
Cons:
"Not as good as it once was. Maybe put some of the silly parking charges into maintaining the trails."
"One star knocked off because the car park at Birches Valley is expensive and the car park ticket machines can be very flakey."
"The only downside is the high cost of parking - think it cost us £10 for an afternoon."
"However , £10 to park for the day is daylight robbery , I wonder how much of this is going towards the CEO of forestry England’s bonus?"
"Parking currently towards the pricey side at £4 for 2 hrs or £6 for day."
"Great tracks and a centre that has developed hugely over the years but, having used this place all my life and yet also visited Coed y Brenin in Wales, as a comparison I find the parking cost here just ridiculous."
"Parking is expensive."
Facilities and Services
Pros:
"Great location for walking, cycling or just a picnic! Suitable for all levels."
"Loved it! Beautiful walks, gorgeous trees. We went on the hunt for the gruffalo characters, which the kids loved."
"What a well thought out activity centre. Much more than just mountain bike trails. From hiking to line swings. Outdoor activities for the WHOLE family and all levels of skill and experience."
"Cafe-cycle shop is amazing too if you need something to eat or need to purchase an item for the bike.! On-site facilities are good and well maintained too."
"There's plenty of shops for a snack and a drink, there's a proper bike shop and mtb rental centre and a huge car park."
"This place is amazing. Lots to do and see especially if you like outdoor pursuits."
"The toilets were nice and clean and it was well sign posted."
Cons:
"If you love mountain biking then go somewhere else, this place is as dull as dishwater and with the recent spate of thefts, you can't relax."
"The cafe was a bit overpriced but the food was definitely nice."
"Only small down side is toilets are right at the bottom of the centre and most of the smaller children's activities are at the top so going for regular toilet stops with children is quite a chore."
"Lovely trails, unfortunately due to no fault of the forestry commission are currently littered with rubbish due to selfish persons feeling the countryside is a perfect place to dump empty bottles and wrappers while on their rides."
"I remember Cannock chase as a place we could go and roam with the children but on this visit the parking was very expensive and children's area was plaqued by adult cyclists with many near misses."
"After visiting on Saturday 3rd February 18 I’ve got to say it’s an awesome place with fantastic trails but it’s really let down but the facts (1) the parking is very expensive & (2) there’s no changing facilities and after 4 hours riding the amazing trails in the rain we were caked in mud and soaked through."
"There's always closed sections and some have been closed for almost 2 years now."