The Quantocks are ideal mountain biking territory, with a dense network of superb natural trails and great scenery.
The Quantock Hills are a compact range, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The AONB covers just 99 square kilometres or about 38 square miles, with the main ridge being about 19km (12 m) in length and rising to just 350m (1150 ft). Yet it offers far more variety and a wilder feel than this small scale would suggest.
Two things make the Quantocks a stand-out mountain biking destination.
First, the natural sculpture of the range creates a wide variety of terrain. The western side is generally the steeper, dissected by deep cup-like valleys known locally as combes (pronounced ‘coom’). The high ridge line offers rolling contours and wide views, from the lowlands of Somerset and the neighbouring heights of Exmoor to the sweeping seascape of the British Channel (home, incidentally, to the second highest tidal range in the world). On the east side broader valleys spread out more gently to the plains, where there’s some lovely gentle cycle-touring to be enjoyed when you need a change of pace.
Second, the Quantocks have an unusually dense network of trails designated as bridleways and therefore legally open for biking. This is a historic legacy. Here and on Exmoor there’s a long tradition of grazing ponies on the high open heath and moor. (The Exmoor pony is a recognised breed but most of the ponies on the Quantocks have mixed bloodlines). These ponies aren’t wild but are allowed to roam freely for much of the year.
It’s because of this equine tradition that we have so many fine trails to ride in the Quantocks; obviously all responsible bikers will slow down and take care near any grazing animal but we should also give them a grateful nod. And these handsome little beasts do add an extra level of interest to many rides.
A typical Quantocks day will involve a steep climb followed by easy riding along the ridge before swinging off onto a great descent. The trails are generally well-draining - but with lots of splashy stream-crossings to watch out for - and often rocky, with many of the best bits hidden in beautiful deciduous woodland.
Many of the descents are pretty technical so you need a bit of experience to get the most out of the area. Probably the most famous of the many descents here is Smith's Combe, rated one of the best in the UK, but many afficionados rate Hodder's Combe even more highly, with over two miles of almost continuous descending. It stands to reason it’s not that steep overall, then, but it can still catch you out with some twisting singletrack and a notorious log-jump.
But the great thing about the Quantocks is that being so compact you can sample most of its best bits in a weekend; the limiting factor is how many times you’re prepared to climb back up again! And at the end of the day there are great pubs at several spots around the hills.
For guided Quantocks weekends check out Fast Tracks MTB.
See also a blog entry relating to Quantocks MTBing.
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