Hamsterley forest?

tdougan

Hey Gurus.

I'm thinking of heading down to Hamsterley on sunday with a friend for something new.
I've never been, so i'm looking for some thoughts on the place?

I have a map showing the red & black trails and the orange park.

I've done a search for Hamsterley here on our forums and people don't speak too highly of it., but those posts were 6 months ago.

I've been up to kielder and chopwell, and they are great.
how does it compare?

I've looked on http://www.hamsterley-trailblazers.co.uk and the pictures of the orange bike part and it looks pretty good.


Cheers,
Tony.

bluehelmet

Hiya,

Defo worth a trip.

The red is mainly fireroad, stick to the black for the best 'official' route but most of the best stuff isn't on an official route.

My advice would be to register on the trailblazers site or mtbnortheast.ning.com and ask for somebody to show you round.

The new bits they've built on the black are pretty good (section 13 in particular, vids on youtube)

bluehelmet

PS: If you wanna go on the downhill / 4X courses you have to register at the cabin and pay to use them.

http://www.descend-hamsterley.co.uk/index2.html

butcher of bakersfield

Hamsterley's way better than Chopwell in my opinion. I still get lost everytime I go though, so can't guide you, but there always seems to be development there and there's some great fun sections.

adun1408

all the new stuff is sign posted but there is loads of stuff hidden away, just ask anyone up there. will probably be busy as all the snow has melted now.

adun1408

been up to hamsterley this morning all the trails are clear apart from the top half of section 13, still covered with ice and snow.