If you’re looking for a family-friendly way to explore the Forest of Dean, the Colliers Trail is an absolute must. This scenic, waymarked cycle route winds through ancient woodland, over old railway bridges, past lakes, and even connects with the Forest’s famous Sculpture Trail. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or riding as a family for fun, this trail is full of peaceful spots, great views, and just the right amount of challenge.
Getting Started: Bike Hire from Pedalabikeaway
We hired our bikes from Pedalabikeaway, a brilliant cycle centre based near Cannop. We actually visited as part of an Instagram collaboration, but even without that, I’d highly recommend them. Booking was quick and easy online, and the staff on site were friendly, efficient, and full of advice. It’s worth booking ahead, especially if you’re planning a weekend or visiting during a school holiday — it gets busy quickly on clear days. Hiring a bike means you don’t have to worry about fitting everything in the car and they also provide helmets too.
The centre has everything you need: toilets, a handy café for pre-ride fuel or post-ride cake, water refills, and a space to relax while you wait for your bikes.
• Location: Pedalabikeaway, New Fancy Rd, Cannop, Coleford GL16 7EH
• Parking: Ample parking available (small charge applies)
• Bike hire: From around £20 for adults, with kids’ bikes, trailers, and helmets available
Riding the Colliers Trail: What to Expect
The Colliers Trail is a well-marked, mostly flat circular route through the heart of the forest. It’s suitable for families, beginners, and casual riders, although it does cover a fair distance depending on which route you follow. The terrain is mostly gravel or compacted dirt paths, with the occasional short hill or bump to keep things interesting. There are some gentle uphill sections to test you out and a few downhills which are ideal for kids to start stretching their wings. As well as two points where the route stops to cross main roads. All of these aspects are ideal for young cyclists to learn and practice in a safe and controlled environment.
We stopped many times along the way — not because the route was hard, but because it was just too lovely not to. We packed our own snacks and each carried a little backpack with drinks and treats, which made it easy to take breaks when needed. The trail passes a number of peaceful woodland spots where you can pull over and sit on a log or patch of grass, enjoy the quiet, and re-energise.
The kids (aged seven and eight) found the distance quite challenging by the end, but they managed it really well. The trail itself isn’t too technical, so it’s ideal for confident young riders. If you’re riding with smaller children, you could opt for a shorter out-and-back version of the route or take breaks often.
Mallards Pike Lake: A Scenic Pitstop
One of our favourite detours along the trail was to Mallards Pike Lake. This lovely spot is about two-thirds of the way around if you’re doing the full circular ride. There’s a café here serving hot food, drinks, and ice cream, as well as clean toilet facilities and picnic benches. It does add a little time and distance to your ride (about 2-3km) but it’s worth it for the peaceful views across the water and a chance to relax in the sun.
We also spotted a second lake closer to the end of the trail, where an ice cream van was waiting — a well-earned reward after a long ride.
Nature, Sculptures and Woodland Surprises
The Colliers Trail is full of surprises and beautiful scenery. We loved cycling through dense woodland, spotting birds, and following the twists and turns of the trail. One highlight was where the path crossed with the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail, where we discovered a carved wooden twig deer nestled amongst the trees. It added a little extra magic to the journey.
There are also several mini side trails that run parallel to the main route. These bumpy woodland tracks have fun names and offer a chance for kids to try out different terrains. They reminded us of the mountain bike areas at Cannock Chase. Arlo made it his mission to ride every one we found and tick them off his list.
Ending on a High (and with Cake)
Back at Pedalabikeaway, we returned our bikes and treated ourselves to some well-deserved cake and drinks at the café. The kids were tired but buzzing from the adventure, and we loved how much of the forest we got to see in just one day. There’s something really special about travelling through the woods on two wheels, especially when you can stop whenever you like and make the most of the scenery.
Practical Information for Cycling the Colliers Trail
• Start Point & Bike Hire: Pedalabikeaway, GL16 7EH
• Route Type: Circular (or customisable)
• Terrain: Mainly gravel and forest trails
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Distance: Approx. 9 miles (14km), depending on detours
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic areas, café at both Pedalabikeaway and Mallards Pike
• Good for: Families, beginners, confident children aged 7+, nature lovers, sculpture seekers
Cycling the Colliers Trail is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the Forest of Dean. With beautiful views, interesting sculpture stops, peaceful picnic spots, and just enough of a challenge for young riders, it ticks all the boxes for a memorable family day out. It’s something a bit different from your usual walk or playground trip, and definitely one we’ll be doing again.