How To Find New MTB Trails

One of the most challenging and demorailising things for many gravel and mountain bike riders - is finding new trails to ride and enjoy. For many riders, especially those who ride alone, finding the best trails and routes can be very difficult. In this post, we look at some of the things that the budding off road rider can do, to find trails which suit their riding ability and requirements. Finding the best routes is a combination of using technology, as well as using some of the traditional methods of getting the best out of every ride.

Join An MTB/Gravel Group

Absolutely the best way to find new trails, is to ride with groups and individuals who already know where the best trails are, especially in mountain bike groups - it’s likely that local groups have helped build and maintain local trails. Facebook is one of the best places to find local groups, and a google search usually returns plenty of information and groups.

Although the old days of formal mountain bike groups have somewhat declined - there are tons of informal groups riding together and meeting up via social media. If you have the budget, a local mountain bike guide will be able to take you for an excellent day out, whilst showing you the local area and which trails are available.

Look In The Wood Blocks

If you look on a map - you will find plenty of rideable bridleways and footpaths that are a good starting point in finding where you can ride. Large chunks of trees, especially those near towns, are usually full of excellent trails which you can ride and explore. There are plenty of apps available which show mountain bike routes.

Strava is also useful for finding new riding routes and trails - as they have been logged and explored by other Strava users. Segments are how these trails and routes are labelled.

Look For Media

Most mountain bikers are pretty enthusiastic about their sport - meaning that your local trails will have more than likely been covered by a number of mountain bikers wearing cameras to record themselves shredding the trails. Youtube shows you what the riding is like almost anywhere where it can be done - and you get a good feeling of local terrain, singletracks, fire roads etc.

If you visit a trail regularly, watching it being ridden on Youtube can help you master it quicker.

Race

Racing locally is a great way to get to grips with local off-road terrain - although sometimes mountain bike races are carried out across private land and property. Riding where you are not supposed to be, causes problems for all mountain bikers and is poor for the sport - so think about where you are riding and local permissions.

Just Explore

One of the best ways to find new trails is to simply get out and explore. When riding on fire roads, look around and take some time off the bike to find trails, as some may be difficult to find at first glance.