Visit Dalby Forest, which is magical for all ages. Enjoy 8,500 acres of walking, running, cycle trails, and Gruffalo adventures.
If it is an adventure you're after, Dalby Activity Centre and the Go Ape courses will get your adrenaline pumping. One of the many woodland trails will suit you if you enjoy nature and wildlife. Have you got kids with you? The Gruffalo orienteering course is magical for the entire family. Even at night, Dalby Forest is a place of wonder and magic; it is a Dark Sky Discovery Site where you can sometimes see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
One thing is for sure: there is an abundance of activities and things to do in Dalby Forest; in this article, we go into more detail to inspire you to take a trip!
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Cycling in Dalby Forest
Dalby Forest features a diverse range of cycling trails for leisurely cyclists and families, such as the Ellerburn Trail, and challenging routes for serious mountain biking enthusiasts with steep descents requiring advanced riding skills.
The most difficult of these is the internationally acclaimed UCI World Cup trail, which was part of the 2010/11 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup and the first Tour de Yorkshire stage in 2015.
Each cycling trail is rated by difficulty, ranging from green (easy) to black (extreme), allowing you to gauge what to expect before you head out!
Whether you are a complete newbie to cycling or ready to take on the most advanced routes, Dalby Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling.
Cycle Hub
Here, you can buy a bike or hire one for the day; the staff is knowledgeable, friendly and on hand with expert advice. They offer everything if you're looking for clothing, accessories, upgrades, and maintenance. You can even power-wash your bike here before going home. The hub also has adapted bikes and many areas accessible for disabled riders.
Bike hire
They offer 90 Trek models for all ages and abilities, including pedal-powered or e-bikes, hardtails, or full suspensions. You can choose from Trek Rail, Remedy, Powerfly, Roscoe, and Marlin, all expertly maintained by their Cytech-qualified workshop team.
They also offer training courses for riders of all ages and abilities. Their British Cycling-qualified instructors will guide you on everything from MTB basics to e-bikes and getting serious air over the jumps. Find further information here.
Walking in Dalby Forest
Dalby Forest offers 8,000 acres of woodland to explore. With 14 well-marked trails, you can explore routes ranging from under 1km to a challenging 7km. The paths, tracks, and forest roads are meticulously maintained, making them easy and enjoyable to navigate. Here is a selection of our favourite walking routes in Dalby Forest.
Walking trails
Ellerburn Trail: For families, the Ellerburn trail is ideal. It takes you along the river and is accessible and suitable for people with mobility issues, as there is a multi-user pathway and families with young children or pushchairs, as the terrain is flat and level. It's an enjoyable walk to incorporate into your day at Dalby Forest. The route begins at the Dalby Courtyard near the Visitor Centre. The trail runs alongside Ellerburn Beck, with the route's return cutting through the Low Dalby Valley.
Dalby Beck: We adore the circular walk at Dalby Beck. It's a moderate walk with inclines across 4.5 km and takes 1 hour 30 minutes to complete. This trail is excellent for hiking, running, and walking—the perfect afternoon to explore the forest.
The Crosscliff View Trail: This short, sweet walk features a stunning view. It is a firm favourite and is accessible to all as it runs along flat, even terrain. The trail feels like a total escape into nature. From the viewing point on a clear day, you can see Blakey Topping and spot Fylingdale's early warning system glinting in the distance.
Running trails
Are you a runner? Whether new to running or experienced, there is also a range of running trails from 1km to 10km and beyond. The marked trails make running through the forest easier than ever.
A map reading challenge with the Gruffalo
Visitors can take part in a fun navigational challenge at Dalby Forest. Using a simple map, they can locate twelve Gruffalo markers hidden within the deep, dark wood.
Those feeling competitive can choose to run, walk, or even skip along the course against the clock!
Trail certificates and maps are available for purchase from the Visitor Centre during opening hours. Participants must drive to the trail start at the Adderstone Field car park, approximately 5 miles (or a 10-minute drive) from the Visitor Centre.
This trail is unsuitable for pushchairs, prams, or mobility vehicles.
Stargazing at Dalby Forest
One of the most magical things to do in Dalby Forest is stargaze. Dalby Forest is a designated Dark Sky Reserve, making it one of the darkest parts of the country. Therefore, you can see some of the clearest starry night skies in North England and spot the stars, planets, nebulae, and galaxies!
Dalby also boasts the first-ever stargazing camp in the UK at Adderstone Field. There are so many events to join in with, and guests can even enjoy a guided night sky tour where you can learn about stars, asterisms, constellations, and star-hopping.
Events are listed on the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre website, so check here to stay updated.
Go Ape, Dalby Forest
For thrill-seekers, Go Ape in Dalby Forest is an action-packed day out. The area features Treetop Challenge, an exhilarating high ropes course with epic zip lines, suitable for ages 10 and up and at least 1.4m tall (4'7″), and Treetop Adventure, an entry-level high ropes activity with zip lines for adventurers over 1m tall.
Dalby Activity Centre
Dalby Activity Centre hosts outdoor activities such as paintballing and Laser combat-based Dalby Forest. Their paintball centre offers a vast selection of game zones. In addition, you'll explore sentry towers, huts, a forest fort, dense woodland areas and large clearings, all set in the Dalby Forest location.
They cater to school visits, stag and hen parties, birthday parties, and corporate bonding events. All the packages they offer are available here.
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre is the go-to place for information on your perfect day in the forest. Here, you can pick up maps and booklets about the forest’s various walks and cycle trails. Facilities at the centre include an information point, a gift shop, a hireable meeting space (perfect for team away days), external and internal toilets, and an outside sun terrace.
Food and drink at Dalby Forest
Explore the two cafes in the Low Dalby Valley: the Dalby Forest Cafe and the Courtyard Cafe. These charming spots are ideal for a quick bite or a restful break, whether you’ve been cycling the trails with friends or enjoying a stroll through the forest.
Both cafes feature an extensive menu that includes sandwiches and cakes, soft drinks, and coffee. Why not take a moment to enjoy your lunch surrounded by the tranquil forest views?
Parking at Dalby Forest
Access to Dalby Forest costs £3 per hour for a vehicle. Click here for all parking information at Dalby Forest.
We hope this article has helped you plan your trip to Dalby Forest and enjoy the wide range of activities there. Please share your experiences in the comments. We love to hear from you.
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