One of the best blue-graded routes in the country, the 6km long Caddrouns Blue route is ideal for first-timers, families and novices.
Please note: the map for the trail is being updated - we'll have the revised version available as soon as possible.
Liddel Valley
From the trail head, the road climbs up through open fields. This can be quite hard going, especially if it’s windy, so pacing yourself is recommended. Over a cattle grid, and the road flattens – a good spot to stop and take in the stunning views across the Liddel Valley and beyond.
Bearing left, the next section is a steady pedal along a forest road, which gradually climbs to the furthest point of the route, where a couple of picnic benches are handily situated for a breather before tackling the first section of singletrack.
The Caddrouns
Recently upgraded, the Caddrouns singletrack is a really fun descent, which twists and turns down through the forest round bermed corners and over bridges, bringing you out on Green Gill Road. Some of the turns are quite tight and the trail surface is loose in places, so care is required.
Poulter Lampert
A short section of forest road brings you to the start of the route's pièce de resistance, Poulter Lampert - a whopping 2km long section of singletrack through one of the most scenic parts of the forest.
The trail starts with a gentle climb that snakes its way up through the trees and which is shared with one of the forest's walking routes. The climbing is soon over though and the real fun begins as the trail heads downhill. You'll soon be zooming along swoopy singletrack, dipping and weaving through the forest across gullies, around banked turns, along boardwalks and over (optional) rock steps.
If this sounds a little scary, don't worry, the trail gradients are kept nice and low and the surfaces wide and smooth. A couple of short climbs along the way break things up before the final switchback corners bring you out at the Priesthill car park (start point for the walking trails). As this section is new for 2008, parts of the surface are still bedding in and a little loose - please take care.
The final 1km of the route follows the forest road gradually uphill back to the trailhead, with the majority on tarmac making things a little easier going for tired legs!
Distance: 6 km
50% singletrack
Estimated time to ride the route: 1 - 1.5 hours