Question 1

Where are the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Mountain Bike Trails?

Accepted Answer

QECP is located on the A3, 5 miles south of Petersfield, 40 miles from the M25 interchange at Wisley and 15 miles from Portsmouth. QECP is one of the closest and easiest mountain bike trail centres to access from Southwest London, Hampshire, Surrey and Sussex.

The trails start right from the car park outside our rental centre which is on the South Downs Way, 25 miles from Winchester and 75 miles from Eastbourne.

Question 2

What are the Queen Elizabeth Country Park Mountain Bike Trails like?

Accepted Answer

QECP has three marked trails (the Red, Blue and Light Blue), plus three skills areas with different features and a pump track.

Expect plenty of small to medium features, lots of berms and a few rooty and rocky sections. While there is one moderate drop on the Red, you won't find bigger features like drops, gap jumps, skinnies or wall-rides. All jump features can be rolled or ridden around.

Most of the riding surfaces are loamy or gravelly and offer better all-weather riding than the chalk and flint that is more typical of the South Downs. After wet periods, expect some muddy sections, especially on the Red trail.

The trails are generally well-maintained thanks to the great work of the volunteers of the QECP Trail Collective.

Other than the dedicated MTB trails in the park, the iconic South Downs Way passes directly through the Park (which is 25 miles from Winchester and 75 miles from Eastbourne), and there are hundreds more miles of other bridleways to explore with magnificent views and plenty of pubs and cafes to refuel.

Question 3

Can anyone ride the MTB trails at QECP?

Accepted Answer

The MTB trails at QECP are suited to beginner, intermediate and advanced riders. QECP is ideal for kids to learn and develop riding skills but the bigger trails can also challenge more advanced riders wanting to descend fast.

All the QECP trails are free to use (you just pay to park) but as the main trails are maintained by the volunteers of the QECP Trail Collective, support is always welcome in the form of donations or digging.

Mountain bikes and electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) are welcome at QECP. Electric motorbikes (e.g. Surrons) are not welcome.

Question 4

How does QECP compare to other trail centres in the Southeast?

Accepted Answer

Compared to better-known locations in the Southeast such as the Surrey Hills and Swinley Forest, we think QECP is under-rated - and a lot less crowded. While there are only two official trails, they total over 8 miles, almost all of which is enjoyable single track riding.

The descents are long and not too "pedally", so while other locations may claim more different named trails, the longer descents at QE make them flow better than other locations where descents can be over just as the fun starts.

QECP has plenty to keep most riders entertained for a day, but expert riders seeking jump lines, drops and bigger features would be better off at Rogate or heading further afield to the Forest of Dean, Bike Park Wales or Dyfi.

Question 5

When to ride the QECP trails?

Accepted Answer

The trails are open every day all year and there is no need to pre-book. It is worth checking the QECP Trail Collective Facebook page for updates on maintenance closures (which are usually limited to a short section of one trail).

The skills areas and pump track are all weather and equally good to ride in the wet. The Blue and Light Blue trails also have pretty good drainage and ride well all year. In the winter months, some sections of the Red Trail can deteriorate after heavy rain.

Saturday mornings are the busiest time of the week, but even then, the trails are far from crowded. From Monday to Friday, you may not see any other riders.

Question 6

MTB Trail Riding Etiquette

Accepted Answer

Please show respect to other riders, park visitors, the trail builders and the landowners to ensure that QECP can continue to offer great mountain biking:

Don't drop litter (and pick up any that you see).
Slow down for walkers and especially horses.
Don't ride up designated downhill sections (or down uphill sections).
Do not ride on closed sections of trail. These are usually closed for ongoing maintenance and riding them undoes the hard work of the volunteer diggers.
If you stop on the trail, pull off to the side in a safe place.
Slower riders should pull over to allow faster riders to pass.
Faster riders should not pressure slower riders by riding close behind. Let them know you are there and give them time to allow you to pass.
Don't go chasing PBs and Strava KOMs at busy times
Stick to the designated trails and ride the line that was intended instead of cutting corners.
Avoid skids that cause braking bumps.
Do your bit to contribute to the trails - with a donation or joining a dig day

QECP MTB trails

Meon Valley & Butser Hill lanes and tracks full day Gravel tour

QE Country Park & South Downs Full Day emtb Tour

Kingley Vale, the Trundle and Ashling Park Vineyard Tour

Salterns Way and West Wittering Coastal Tour

South Downs Way

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