Hopton Woods

A little gem hidden in the Midlands that offers something for everyone

Parking

Sitting near the border of the Midlands and Wales, many riders choose to drive past Hopton Woods onto the better-known trail centres and riding areas in North or South Wales. That's a mistake because while it might not boast big mountains, the hills in the Welsh Marches still offer plenty of height and technical challenge to those that want it and this little gem has a bit of something for riders of all disciplines.

There are a number of old-school downhill tracks, so pure gravity fiends are well catered for, but there are also excellent blue and red graded cross-country routes, plus more enduro trails hidden in the woods. While none of the descents goes on for more than a few minutes, they're fast and fun and still offer a good technical challenge.

Facilities here are basic, with only a picnic area (without toilets) and parking on offer, so make sure you've got everything you need before parking up.

Amenity details:

There's a small picnic area and plenty of parking, but nothing else. Make sure you've got what you need from the surrounding area before heading here.

Perhaps you're looking for a ride off the beaten trail, or you want to mix your riding up with some nature walks. Be sure to check Komoot to uncover further adventures in this area.

>> MTB routes near Hopton Castle
>> Hiking near Hopton Castle

Nearby facilities:

Bike servicing, sales and repairs

Local stalwarts Pearce Cycles are based near to Bromfield, a 28-minute drive away. They're heavily involved in created and maintaining local trails and run a well-respected uplift service and a number of race series, from downhill to cross-country. They stock and offer demos on Specialized, Nukeproof, Orange, Merida bikes, plus have all the usual clothing and spare parts plus workshop.

Blazing Bikes is in Little Stretton (26-minute drive) and stock Trek, Evil, Pivot, Yeti, Scott and Ibis bikes, plus a wide range of clothing and components.

Food, drink and shops

There's nothing particularly close so stock up before you arrive. Knighton is a 20-minute drive away and has a Co-Op supermarket and some other small shops. Aston on Clun has a small community shop too and it's a 15-minute drive away.

Pub wise, there are a few to choose from, with the Hundred House Inn (10-mins) being the nearest and the Crown Inn and Kangaroo Inn being a little further away. All do food and drinks, though it's worth checking opening hours.