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Marked Cycle Routes in
the Thetford Forest

Location: Thetford Forest Park is located on the border of Norfolk and Suffolk in the heart of Breckland in East Anglia. Major roads leading to Thetford Forest Park are the M11 from London, the A11 from Norwich or Newmarket and the A14 from Cambridge or Ipswich.

Red Mountain Bike Route

This moderate one-way route is the most recent way-marked route in the forest and offers a taste of some of the finest swoopy singletrack with which Thetford has become synonymous. The trails are fast and narrow with variable surfaces running between stands of trees and stretches of double-track. The trail had a particularly nice stretch of challenging single-track cutting through close-set trees. The trail follows a figure 8 pattern with the option to leave the course early, shortening the route to 4 miles. Unfortunately, since becoming waymarked by the Forestry Commission the increase in traffic, particularly in the winter months, has led to serious erosion on many parts of the route. Much of the once excellent, but unsurfaced and thus fragile singletrack, is being churned up in a similar fashion to the Black route. lt is for this reason that a group of concerned local mountain bikers decided to try and stop it from deteriorating further by forming TIMBER and working with the FC to prevent this happening in the future. This is the trail TIMBER are concentrating on at present, starting with the worst affected areas but trying to introduce a more technical element to the trail as we work. We plan to make it a true Red Route according to IMBA specifications and it will be great fun for the more experienced mountain biker. However it's early days and much of our work at present is behind the scenes in negotiation with the FC and fundraising to try and get the trail built in a timely fashion. So if it looks like things are going slow, don't worry we're just as frustrated as you! Even if you can't join the build days or helping raise funds you can help by adding your support and joining here.

	Location: High Lodge
	Length: 11 miles or shortened loop of 4 miles
	Approximate ride time: 40 minutes - 1 ½ hours depending on the rider's speed and level of fitness
	Safe and Responsible Cycling: Riders are strongly advised to wear cycling helmets while cycling
	Open or closed: Open, although diversions may shorted the route before harvesting ends in March
	A route map will be available soon

Black Mountain Bike Route

The Black Mountain Bike Route is essentially a misnomer and often leads to disappointment for first time visitors to Thetford forest's MTB trails. In reality it is no more difficult than the red route. If fact both routes would struggle to reach a red grading in other trail centres around the UK. This is something we are trying to get the forestry Commission at Thetford to rectify as we work on our new sections. The black route was the original way-marked singletrack loop for the more serious cyclist and offers a couple of bombholes and the moderately technical section known as the 'Beast of the East' descent. The trails are narrow, although erosion as led to a significant widening, with varied surfaces. Unfortunately, due to its' age, the amount of use it receives with very little maintenance over the years, it is a shadow of its' former self. As a result it requires serious work to restore it. Much of the route will have to be freshly cut as to the erosion has become too bad to repair economically. Unfortunately this is beyond TIMBERs meagre resources at present and is a project that will have to remain on the 'To-Do' list for the foreseeable future.

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	Location: High Lodge
	Length: 10 miles
	Approximate ride time: 1 - 2 hours depending on the rider's speed and level of fitness
	Safe and Responsible Cycling: Riders are strongly advised to wear cycling helmets while cycling
	Open or closed: open
	View Route Map

Singletrack

What Thetford lacks in gradient it makes up for in the quality of the trails. Thanks to the motorcycle enduros that have been held in the forest for years, Thetford is blessed with miles and miles of superb singletrack that snakes its way throughout the forest. TIMBER's plan is to open up more of these hidden gems, link them together and make a range of trails that utilise the vast area available.

Some of these sections can be found on our map. Others require a bit more exploration. One of the best ways to discover what's on offer is to come along to one of the organised group rides posted in the forum, or to come along to the scheduled trail building days where your hard efforts will not only contribute to a very worthy cause but also show you what's on offer.

Green Cycle Route

This well-established route is free of charge and open year round for your enjoyment. The green route provides a relaxed introduction to mountain biking in the Thetford Forest. The route is comprised of wide open trails and well-graded surfaces. It follows well-maintained forest roads and gives the option of a 3-mile or a 6.5-mile loop. Rises and descents are gradual. The route is bordered by tall pines and several small man-made ponds. In the spring, children and nature lovers will enjoy seeing frogs spawning in the ponds, which are full of frogs' eggs and tadpoles.

Basic cycling skills and a reasonable level of fitness are required.

	Location: High Lodge
	Length: 3 miles or 6.5 miles
	Approximate ride time: 1 to 1 ½ hours for a gentle 6.5-mile ride, or longer with children
	Safe and Responsible Cycling: Adults and children are strongly advised to wear cycling helmets while cycling
	Open or closed: Open year round, although diversions may shorted the route before harvesting ends in March
	View Route Map

Blue Cycle Route

This route is easy to moderate. The trails are open with variable surfaces, including some sandy bases.The route begins and ends at High Lodge but leads you over to the Brandon Country Park side of the forest where you can explore some of the more hidden trails or stick to the marked paths. The route passes close to Lakenheath Air Base, and planes can frequently be seen passing closely overhead.

Basic cycling skills and a reasonable level of fitness are required

	Location: Brandon Country Park
	Length: 8.1 miles
	Approximate ride time: 1 to 1 ½ hours for a gentle ride
	Safe and Responsible Cycling: Adults and children are strongly advised to wear cycling helmets while cycling
	Open or closed: Open
	View Route Map