Best for beginners
Cwmcarn, Wales
A trip to Cwmcarn in Wales is the perfect introduction to mountain biking in the UK. The terrain is varied, you’ll meet plenty of other riders and, best of all, there's a permanent uplift to take you to the top of the hill. The trail centre is open all year round, and a day pass to use the uplift costs around £25. Check mtbwales.com for more info.
Blandford, Dorset, England
No matter what type of MTB riding you’re into there’s something for you at Blandford. It has an excellent Northshore area comprising wooden ramps, drop-offs and wallrides. There are also twisting forest trails and well-groomed dirt jumps. Uplifts can be arranged through ukbikepark.moonfruit.com.
Best for intermediates
Afan, South Wales
The ex-mining area of Afan has embraced mountain biking with two fantastic new visitor centres, loads of bike-friendly shops and a forest park rammed with exhilarating trails, all of which are free to ride and open all year round. Check out mtbwales.com for more info.
Glentress, Scotland
The Glentress Trail Centre boasts some of the best mountain biking in Scotland. Its trails are well marked, well maintained and offer plenty of variation. There's also a killer freeride area and some great Northshore terrain. Go to 7stanes.gov.uk for more info.
Best for advanced
Morzine/Les Gets, France
The world has two major mountain biking hubs. One is Whistler in Canada, the other is the twinned resort of Morzine and Les Gets, about an hour’s drive from Geneva airport. It has huge downhill courses, pulse-racing cross-country trails and incredible views. Go to morzine.com for more info.
Fort William, Scotland
Fort Bill – as most riders call it – has hosted numerous international moutain bike championships, and it's easy to see why. It has the UK's only permanent gondola uplift, an amazing cross-country course (The Witch’s Trail), some fantastic freeriding and dirt jumping, and one of the toughest downhill tracks on God’s green earth. Go to ridefortwilliam.co.uk
Mountain Biking Europe is published by Footprint Books and costs £19.99. It's available in most bookshops and on amazon.co.uk
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