CANNOCK CHASE 5 BEST TRAILS | STAFFORDSHIRE GOLD | 4k | EMTB | BEST V BEST | GNARLY | LOAM

✅ Official MTB & XC Trails at Cannock Chase These are the main designated mountain-bike trails. They’re maintained, signposted, and free to ride — safest bet if you want a good ride while respecting the area.  • Follow the Dog Trail — ~6.7 miles (10.8 km), red-graded XC trail. Mixed singletrack, technical sections, boardwalks, rock/wood features, rollers, jumps and drop-offs — also some optional harder (black) lines. Good for riders with moderate to advanced MTB skills.  • The Monkey Trail — ~14.2 miles (22.8 km) if you start from Follow the Dog. More demanding than Follow the Dog: steeper climbs, more technical descents, rock gardens, jumps, drop-offs — including “black-option” lines that are only for experienced riders.  • Perry’s Trail — a blue-grade trail (~2.7 miles / 4.3 km), ideal if you’re transitioning from beginner/intermediate. Flowing singletrack, gentle berms and rollers — a good warm-up or easier ride day.  • Leisure / green or family-friendly trails — like the circular gravel/forest-road loops: good for easy rides, beginners, families, or mixed users (walkers / horse riders).  In addition there’s a bike park / downhill area at Stile Cop Bike Park — with downhill-oriented trails for riders with the right skills and equipment.  ⸻ 🌲 “Off-Piste” / Unofficial Trails — What That Means at Cannock Chase By “off-piste” people often refer to riding outside of the official, maintained trails: exploring lesser-used forest tracks, bridleways, maybe paths less used or not designed specifically for MTB. At Cannock Chase: • There is a much larger network of bridleways — reportedly ~82 miles of bridleway across The Chase.  • Some riders — especially more experienced — do ride more “natural” or “off-trail” tracks or combine official trails with bridleways or lesser-known forest paths to make longer or more adventurous loops. For instance, there are community-shared “off-piste” or user-posted routes.  • One publicly shared “off-piste” loop recorded online is ~17.9 miles and ~2,021 ft elevation gain, described as “moderate” difficulty.  From a rider on a forum: “I went exploring some of Cannock Chase’s off-Piste delights!”  So, “off-piste” at Cannock Chase usually means using the wider forest / bridleway network — but often at your own discretion: more unpredictable surfaces, potential for natural obstacles, mixed terrain, less track maintenance. ⸻ ⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind: Safety, Environment & Etiquette Because Cannock Chase is a protected landscape / sensitive natural area, there are important reasons why many routes are officially designated — and why “off-piste” riding is more tricky: • Biking is only permitted on official trails or permitted bridleways. Riding outside official trails in ecologically sensitive zones can harm local wildlife and habitat and is discouraged — or forbidden.  • You need to respect other trail users: walkers, horses, wildlife. Yield appropriately.  • Bike / kit hygiene: some species and habitats are vulnerable to diseases — you should clean your bike/kit properly before riding.  • Trails can get muddy, rough, loose or technical — especially red or “off-piste” ones. Good tyres, helmet and decent MTB skills are strongly recommended. ⸻ 🎯 What Kind of Rider Should Do What — and What to Try Rider / Intention Recommended Trail / Approach Beginner / new to MTB Green-grade leisure trails or maybe Perry’s Trail (blue) Intermediate, fun cross-country ride Follow the Dog Trail, possibly with a second lap Experienced, technically confident rider The Monkey Trail (with optional black lines) — or attempt “off-piste + bridleway + XC” loops with extra caution Want downhill / jump / more extreme Stile Cop Bike Park (but only if you have proper bike & protective gear) Family / casual / mixed users Leisure gravel loops, bridleways, mixed-use trails — but avoid “off-piste” deep forest runs If you ride for flow and fun, Monkey + Follow the Dog is a solid XC red-level challenge — many riders combine them into a longer loop. If you want a more mellow but still scenic ride, Perry’s Trail or the forest gravel loops are ideal. ⸻ 🗺️ If You’re Considering Off-Piste: Tips & Advice • Check trail maps & status before heading out. Official maps are available from the forest/visitor-centre websites.  • Stick to permitted bridleways or official MTB trails — avoid cycling in ecologically sensitive areas. • Use appropriate gear (bike, tyres, helmet) — off-piste/technical terrain can be unpredictable. • Respect wildlife & other users — yield to walkers/horse riders, avoid skidding or damaging terrain. • Prepare for variable surfaces: forest floor, roots, loose rock, mud, wet forest tracks — conditions change quickly.