Exploring Leigh Woods

If you like going off the beaten track you might sympathise with today's guest blogger Ben Hillsdon:

"I don't know about you but I always seem to get lost in Leigh Woods - and I'm not saying it like that's a bad thing!

"I generally start my rides at the Leigh Woods entrance off North Road. I head through the cycle gate and north along the marked trail. From there I try to take a different trail from the last time and I always seem to stumble across somewhere new.

"Sometimes I end up on the main access road to the northern car park (Coronation Avenue), from which point I can head to either Paradise Bottom or down onto the River Avon trail towards Pill.

"Other times I'll take a riskier option and mountain bike through the trees until I come to the picnic bench. From here it's a steep nerve-wracking drop down to the river.

"And if I'm feeling like a gentle ride I'll just tour around the wide paths, taking in the fresh air and the majestic old forest.

"Soon enough I'll have another option too as a new 5.5 mile course opens in November, which will take riders on a rollercoaster loop between the Parish Wall, Coronation Avenue and the Paddock. The course has been designed by Architrail, the same team behind the new Ashton Court course, so it promises to be great fun, challenging enough for keen mountain bikers and suitable for a range of abilities too. Roll on November!"

For now, to help those wanting to explore Leigh Woods, Better By Bike has been in touch with the Forestry Comission to ask for a copy of the display boards up around the estate.

You can download your own copy of this map (see below) to print out and carry around with you for the next time you're exploring Leigh Woods.

The full information panel can also be downloaded, showing the interesting features and wildlife that can be found in Leigh Woods.