Thetford Forest

[Zippee]

Hi all,
I’m heading to Thetford for the first time in about 20 years later this month with a mate to try and relive what I remember as superb bomb holes, berms, undulating single track and fire roads. However, apart from the fact I used to race there pretty much every month for a few years with the car park IIRC being a field close to that of the entrance to Centre Parks near Brandon. So basically, as it’s been ages for me where do I need to head for the best trails? I love singletrack, the more technical the better. A little too old now for big jumps though I’d still love a play in the bomb holes if they’re still there. Where to park, café etc as well would be good as would any maps. Thanks in advance.

[Craikeybaby]

If you don't get any better details, maybe worth looking at the Strava Heatmap to see if you can identify the trails.

[offspring86]

There are trails at High Lodge. Green, blue and red. Good fun, but not particularly taxing, I'd say the red routes are more like the blue route at Swinley. Parking on site is a bit pricey so to avoid forking out in the past I've parked at Brandon Country Park and cycled the blue route round to High Lodge.

[tjdixon911]

As said above, Brandon Country Park is the cheaper carpark (£2.50 for over 2hrs IIRC) and also has a Cafe, Highlodge has a bit more (bike shop) and is more expensive (probably nearer £2.50/hr, I'm guessing) - Failing that there are plenty of Free spaces along the side of the road (Center Parks - Brandon road) in the Fire Road Entrances.

As for routes, there are 2 Reds, Greens and Blues, combine the 2 reds and it results in 20miles of riding, there have been a lot of improvements lately including the introduction of Rock gardens etc. All the bombholes are still there (some with rocks).

Alot of people slag it off for being a bit flat which it is but its on my doorstep and the guys maintaining and building the trails are doing a great job with what they've got, it can be as fun or as boring as you make it really, I quite enjoy it at the moment, its the best place I have to ride without spending most the time travelling!

There are plenty of unmarked trails also both on the Santon Downham side and Brandon Country Park (BCP) side (both used alot in XC races) so worth exploring if you want to do a bit more, I don't know them all, the BCP side is easier to explore as I think both the Blue and green routes go that side so you just need to find them if you get lost!

[Zippee]

Thanks all.
Where I used to race was mid way along the road form the obelisk through to Brandon that passes the C/Parks entrance, a fire road entrance into a large field where the start finish was. Couple of large bomb holes to the right and to the left with some awesome singletrack (who needs hills to have fun). It was one of my favourite race series barr the Eastern series and Beastway for anyone old enough.
Sounds like it may be best to just head to BCP and see where it takes us.

[RicharDC5]

Stick to the red and the black routes which are signed from high lodge.



The blue and green are mostly wide - family type trails. As posted above, Thetford is only difficult/exciting if you are a strong rider and can carry your own speed. Be careful, hitting trees hurts

[Sherpa]

For parking there's firebreaks around the park which have small clearings, I usually park near a bird watching hut that's on the Lime Burner route.



Around where the 100 is on the B1106.

[tjdixon911]

Zippee said:

Thanks all.
Where I used to race was mid way along the road form the obelisk through to Brandon that passes the C/Parks entrance, a fire road entrance into a large field where the start finish was. Couple of large bomb holes to the right and to the left with some awesome singletrack (who needs hills to have fun). It was one of my favourite race series barr the Eastern series and Beastway for anyone old enough.
Sounds like it may be best to just head to BCP and see where it takes us.

That sounds like mayday meadow along FR10 - the bombhole to the right nr5 on the maps is off the main trails, the one to the left is at the top of the beast nr 8 on the maps - these are the normal 2 used in the races I've done.

There are 3 runs down the beast hill, all 3 are worth a go.

[dirty boy]

We go once a month, park up at Fire Road 10 on the B1106 (turn off A11 towards Center Parcs)

Head up the road (past the barrier) a hundred yards and you'll be on the Limeburner trail, turn left onto it so you're going clockwise!

The team there have been doing lots of work to improve things and it'll take time, but it's fun enough, just not particularly challenging, just fast. (Although i've come off a fair few times - mostly when it's really dark)

There are some unmarked trails, but if I'm honest, I couldn't tell you how to get on them unless I was there.

Good fun though.

[Zippee]

Just a quick thank you to everyone here for their advice - went up on Saturday with a mate and had a great time.
We parked up in BCP (£3 all day) and took the blue route over to the lodge before doing the 2 red routes (long one on the beater trail). Some fun single track and really flowing so good for getting a reasonable speed, didn't venture off trail to find some of the tracks/bombholes I mentioned earlier but we had fun all the same, not the most challenging routes but I love singletrack. Main difference now is last time I rode there was on a 26" with narrow bars - now a 29er with wide bars, meaning a lot more care has to be taken on some of the narrower parts of the trails

A snapped chain and bent chainring on the beast put a dampener on some of it but the guys at the lodge shop (Bike art) were very helpful in fitting replacements in a short space of time, though it was a couple of mile run/walk back for me. Certainly won't be my last visit as it's less than an hour from home and lots more to explore. Surprisingly quiet as well on the trails despite the number of cars/bikes on site.