25th October 2008 - Gisburn Forest Trail Run - about 10 miles and getting on for 850 ft of climb
OS Explore Route
I'd never visited Gisburn Forest before but knew that there were some mountain bike trails there with the longest being about 10 miles. In fact with a forest, the 'biggest in Lancashire', not that far from my doorstep I almost felt guilty that I hadn't given it a go until now. My starting point was Cocklet Hill picnic area (nearest civilisation Tosside) and three cycle routes start from there - pink (5 miles-ish), green (say 7.5) and red, the one I was following. All the routes were clearly marked and easy to follow.
This route as I ran it sort of meanders up the easterly side of the forest to the highest point near Whelpstone Crag before dropping down into a valley beyond and then meandering back more to the west, eventually reaching Stocks Resevoir with Cocklet Hill and the finish a short hop from there.
For much of the first half of the run I was on broad forest trails that, were I actually mountain biking, I might have found a bit dull. Not 'gnarly, radical or extreme' in the slightest in fact and more suited to the Von Stolly family doing synchronised cycling routines whilst singing 'doe a deer, a female deer' and other Sound of Music favourites. All the same as a run it was really nice and enjoyable with a very gradual but consistant climb involved for most of the way to the half way point. The scenery was nice too
You can tell that who ever manages this forest that they are keen on mountain bikers though - although the main track was tame thus far, as it reached a disused quarry area there were loads of off road mtb-ing circuits and tracks off to the side including one scull and crossbones marked route through an especially dark part of the forest with all sorts of humps, jumps and obstacles to get over. The scull and crossbones warning was enough to make me want to go back with my bike and give it a go for sure.
After passing by Whelpstone Crag and its trig point (which I stupidly didn't visit not seeing a clear cut path to get up there) the trail becomes more interesting with some steep rocky descents and climbs and more going through of proper and, in places, quite spooky pine forest:
Then it was more of the same, nice easy running through the woods along trails and tracks all the way back - all told a really enjoyable run through some beautiful hilly pine woods. In fact I can't wait to chuff round again, preferably on the first proper snowy morning of the winter. Incidentally this run could easily be started from and finished at the Dog and Partridge in Tosside as the track from there quickly meets up with the cycle route.
Exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes start to finish.
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