Whitefield Cycle Trail

Delamere Forest Park is a shady haven in the midst of the rolling lowlands of the Cheshire plain. It attracts over half a million visitors a year, yet even on the busiest of weekends there are still quiet places to be found. The forest is all that remains of the great Norman hunting Forests of Mara, and consists mainly of mature Scots pine, interspersed with wetlands and lakes.

The Whitefield Cycle Trail is a delightful family ride through the woods along well maintained paths. Mountain bikes can be hired from near the Discovery Centre and the trail is fully waymarked, colour coded in white. As well as taking in many of the other highlights of the forest, it passes near to the Manley Hill Cycle Skills Area, where you can test your mountain biking skills on downhill tracks and jumps.

1. From the Discovery Centre, head along the road towards the station.

2. Turn left, crossing the railway bridge, and bear left twice where the track forks.

3. Turn left at the second crossroads.

4. Take the next track on the right and follow it round to the left, recrossing the railway.

5. Take the second right after the railway bridge.

6. Turn right just after crossing the railway for the third time.

7. Turn left on to a smaller path through the woods.

8. When you reach a main track again, turn left, and soon cross a road.

9. Turn right at the second crossroads after the metalled road.

10. Turn right at the T junction.

11. Take the second track on the left, then bear right.

12. Turn left at the T junction.

13. Turn right at the next T junction.

14. Turn left at the third.

15. Take the next right.

16. Cross the road and continue to follow the track as it meanders towards the lake, bearing right at a junction about 60m from the shore.

17. Bear left and follow the track around the end of the lake.

18. Turn right at a junction just 15m from the shore.

19. Turn left at the crossroads and follow the track back to the first railway bridge and the Discovery Centre.