[Closed] Scartree Trail - Wakerley Woods Northants

that's just down the road from my folks! always fancied taking a spin there when i lived at home but never got around to it.

if you enjoy it there, that's the main thing! 🙂

Sure most guys will think its abit lame but if you got a spare hour its alrigt I think. You should have given it a go - you not local now then?

scotland now! 🙄 might give it a spin if i ever find myself down that way with a bike...

Not a bad little trail for this area (about 15 minutes drive from my front door). My review of it from another site -

[i]"The Scartree Trail is not (as of May 2011) quite finished yet, with some sections still to be surfaced. It is all open though and is a great little red-graded XC trail - about 1/3 fireroad bash, 1/3 flowy singletrack and the final 1/3 more techy/rooted wooded singletrack. Nothing really tough to ride, but a few little technical features to keep you on your toes.

Only 6km long, but 2 or 3 laps is a good, fun little ride on a par with pretty much anything the nearest major trail centres (Thetford and Sherwood) can offer. The only thing it doesn't have is any REALLY fast, flowing downhill sections - all the downs tend to be straight and easy. If you look around there are some nice little off-piste trails to explore to make up for this though.

Best fun here is to ride it hard - just pootling round is fine, but to get the most out of the trail you need to hammer the singletrack sections as fast as you can."[/i]

If you head over the road to Fineshades, theres's a Green family trail there that has 3 fun little Blue skills sections on it (with another 3 or 4 either just opened or about to open - haven't been over there for a few weeks).

slainte 😀 rob

Never been there but I'm in the area. Is it anything like Harlestone Firs?

Oh and do you know if there are any jumps lurking off the trail?

Not sure about jumps as only followed the red routes for a single lap just to see whats there - im still trying to find my feet as im a road cyclist and not a great bike handler.

did have a laugh at myself as near the end there was a small drop and i pretty much fell in it and ended up picking half a tree out of my rear mech.

Well worth the visit for training though IMO

logic1980 - Member
did have a laugh at myself as near the end there was a small drop and i pretty much fell in it and ended up picking half a tree out of my rear mech.

If so, you're by no means the first rider to be caught out by that bit!

Haven't seen any jumps off-piste at Wakerley - it's not really that kind of place (yet) as I guess most of the jumpy types round here head over to Corby?

slainte ➡ rob

You've also got Woburn Trails a short drive away or Cannock's not too far either.

I guess most of the jumpy types round here head over to Corby?

I don't know of any jumps over there as I don't know anyone else in the area who rides other than a couple of roadies! Been wanting to find some though, are they the secret "invite only" kind of jumps?

to Colournoise - yep thats the one - how are you meant to ride that? before my brian had caught up i was at the bottom - lol

as for corby - west glebe pack has some hidden pumpy bits but not sure how great they would be - always kids on BMX in there - I go there just to mess about some times

logic1980 - Member
to Colournoise - yep thats the one - how are you meant to ride that? before my brian had caught up i was at the bottom - lol

If it's the bigger one at the end of the section (and not the wheel-sized one earlier on) then what I do is approach slowish and drop a couple of gears, roll into the dip real gently with weight back and then as the front wheel hits the bottom apply some gas and throw weight back/pull bars up. It's then just a case of powering/lurching up the other side.

It's the uphill 90 degree right-hander round a tree a little further on that stalls me nearly every time.

slainte 💡 rob

this is 10 mins form me and i didnt even know it was there 😯

might have to take a looksee

thats the one I was on about the right side of the tree drop in - its lower than the other side so you cant jump it and i fell in before looking how i was going to get out - lol

i just picked myself up and went back and looked at it again and then just went to the left of the tree instead - although i think that actually may be the route?

didnt see any dead bodies in the ditch mind 😕

do you go there much?

think its well worth a look - i moved to corby so its best local bit for me as only about 15mins - I road cycle to the south of it quite abit but today was first time i ever went in - i looks bigger when you in but I think the trails got me a bit disorientated -

When I first heard about it in May I was going a couple times a week.

Haven't been for a while due to a foot injury and manic time at work (last few weeks of term always are).

Now I'm on summer holiday for a few weeks will getting back over there fairly regular I think (mostly when I can't be arsed driving the hour-and-a-half to Thetford.

slainte ➡ rob

Sometimes you just can't be bothered travelling to far - i dont normally have time to go driving places so i can see il be up wakerley a fair bit this winter.

may give woburn a go as my Dad lives in milton keynes so thats two birds with one stone

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slainte 😀 rob

are they of woburn?

nope...wakerley

In the area it's the best there is! It will take some work but it is getting there. Someone said to me that it was boring-well ride faster! it's 20 mins down the road from me so worth the trip.

Just down the road from me too. Have tagged it on to our Sunday morning rides a few times. Our area is not blessed with great places and this is a bit of fun, seems to be quite a bit to explore too.

Being in Stamford I've ridden it a few times when out on my bike and knowing how bad those woods get in the winter I hate to think how bad they are going to be with the increased traffic. I hope they budgeted in for a lot of trail maintenance.
I also wonder why the trail builders didn't take better advantage of the woods as they seem to have skirted around any bombholes or other land features that could have added to the trails

[i]I don't know of any jumps over there as I don't know anyone else in the area who rides other than a couple of roadies! Been wanting to find some though, are they the secret "invite only" kind of jumps? [/i]

there are some massive "secret" jumps west of Kettering, much to big and scarey for me.

I would suggest a meet over there one weekend as seems there are a number of people local but I dont wanna come across as a trail stalker - lol

Was over there for the first time in a while this morning. They have now finished all the 'surfaced' sections and this has improved the trail (no more lumpy bumpy bits on the 'back' section anymore and the trail now just about has the one thing it was lacking - a swoopy downwards gradient section).

Also there are some new 'skills loop' sections open over on the Fineshades side to liven up the Green route (makes a nice little warm-up for Scartree).

Also noticed more 'serious' bikes today (including a quite cool looking white Orange5 and a nice LaPierre) than I've seen riding Scartree before - local word must be getting out.

slainte 😀 rob

rode it sunday morning, it's quite fun, it's the kind of trail that the more effort you put in the more fun it is. Some issues though, would rather have 2 climbs and come down the section with the switchbacks and Very conscious of the barbed wire fence running along side part of the trail when out of the saddle giving it the beans I don't think thats very clever. Some more single track to by pass the middle fireroad section would be nice to.

Klunk - Member
Some more single track to by pass the middle fireroad section would be nice to.

Agree with you about the lack of 'big' downhill sections and the fact you need to hammer it to get the most out.

slainte 😉 rob

There is a downhill section to miss out the fireroad bit. IIRC you turn rights before the start of the fireroad bit prior to marker 9(?)

I THINK I know where you mean - does it go down a widish grassy track at first?

slainte ❓ rob

Klunk - Member
I don't know of any jumps over there as I don't know anyone else in the area who rides other than a couple of roadies! Been wanting to find some though, are they the secret "invite only" kind of jumps?

there are some massive "secret" jumps west of Kettering, much to big and scarey for me.

Is there a 1/4 pipe in them woods? If so I know which you mean and they're a bit too big for me also!!

those pesky council house kids can ride a bit 🙂

Was over at Scartree this morning. Seems to be continued trail building going in some areas to bypass some of the less interesting sections. Was (crudely) signed up but not sure how official it it all is.

slainte ➡ rob

found some trails that bypass some of the fireroad section. Post 8 go straight on as opposed to turning right... follow the airfield dispersal ramp concrete all the way to the end. nice flowing single track on the right.

Yeah - knew about that bit already if I read your directions right.

Doesn't bypass anything but if you straight on at the bottom of the hill after 9 rather than swing right, then take the second obvious trail on the left you can add in a nice little extra loop of singletrack (which returns on the last part of the section you mentioned).

slainte 😀 rob

You can also turn left when you meet the fire-road instead of right (marker 7 IIRC) and then look out for a bridleway route to the right - slightly uphill, that takes you through to the nice singletrack you mention (turn right at the t-junction).

There's some jumps there too if you know where to look, although that section is quite boggy so you may need to carry over one bit for a few feet.

Then you follow the orange marked walk, over a hill and back down to the end of the fire-road section (re-join at marker 12).

I'm starting to like Wakerley although I wish the trail didn't go quite so close to the barbed wire fence!

[url= http://maps.google.com/?q=http://share.abvio.com/c756/2240/4c4f/8e50/Cyclemeter-Cycle-20110830-1612.kml ]Google Maps using gps tracking[/url]

Cool info EL - thanks for the GPS too. Will check that out next time I'm over there.

slainte 😀 rob

[i]I'm starting to like Wakerley although I wish the trail didn't go quite so close to the barbed wire fence![/i]

it's very unnerving especially in the wet 😆

rode it yesterday for the first time. nice to have some trails close to Stamford.

Not sure what it will be like after rain though, imagine it will hold water and be quite boggy in places.

It needs to take more advantage of the downhill(ish) sections. They could take advantage of the slight gradient alongside the barbed wire fence and cut some berms and jumps into that section.

I'd be keen to get involved with helping develop this trail - pushing wheelbarrows, digging etc. anyone know how I can do this? Imagine there'd be quite a few volunteers willing to make this trail as good as it can be.

Best bet for helping out is to contact the Forestry Commission office for Northamptonshire - northants@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

The FC build the trails and maintain the woods. Although the guys at Fineshade Cycling are quite 'in the know' and told me last time I was down there that there was now funding available for putting in singletrack to avoid the big forest road section.

I've just started my own mtb blog and twitter and as this is my local ride I'll probably be updating it with trail conditions and what not.

http://muddygoose.wordpress.com/ - blog
http://twitter.com/muddygoose/ - twitter

Thanks for the details. Just sent them an email.

Be good to get some more technical and (where possible) gravity assisted sections in the new course. The blue skills berm section in Fineshades shows that you don't need too much gradient to create a great section of switchbacks.

I headed over to the Scartree trail last Friday for the 1st time in a few weeks and some big changes to the official route.

For those who have been before, no more fireroad!!!

Not sure when it opened as wasn't open 2 weeks ago but today there are 2 new sections which also include some slight downhill berms.

One very long section (is actually about 4 new sections) which bypasses the fireroad, currently a bit rough until it gets ridden in, a few small berms on it as well.

The second section is towards the end of the loop on the straight downhill bit just before the tight section right at the end, this includes some berms. (RHS of map below)

New layout below, yellow bits are new (section at the top opened in August this year)

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Klunk & Rossi - "there are some massive "secret" jumps west of Kettering, much to big and scarey for me"

Any clues where? always on the look out for new bits to ride in Kettering

Cranford St Andrew pocket park.

Cheers, Never looked in Cranford before, any tips on finding it? What is to the west of Kettering?

[url= http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=491772&Y=277426&A=Y&Z=115 ]here[/url]

ignore the west thing i was just being stupid.

Rode the new sections last week and again today,

Going to be really some nice little sections once they get ridden in - still a bit bumpy for my super stiff hardtail liking at the moment.

Getting much busier now too it seems, although a lot of riders seem to be sticking to the old route.

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slainte 😀 rob

That looks alright!

Do you think it's a good place for beginners to ride? I have a couple of mates interested in getting into riding and I was thinking of taking them there one weekend soon. Oh and where's the best place to park?

I'd be keen for helping out trying to build some trails, anyone have much luck getting in touch with the forestry commission? Really fancy a jump area 🙂

Should be decent for beginners (my wife rides a bit but lacks confidence on tech stuff and she rides the whole trail with just walking a couple of short sections). Just the little descent & climb section at the start, the ditch section (from about 5m25s on the vid), and the final little techy climb might cause some issues.

Parking - if you don't mind paying then park at the Fineshades side and do the Green/Blue there (brilliant for newbies) before riding over to the Wakerley side to do Scartree.

If you just want to ride Scartree there's a free FC carpark in Wakerley Great Wood. Park there and ride back down the road (turn right out of the car park) to the trailhead.

Trail building? I guess speak to the guys at the Rutland Cycling bike shop over the Fineshades side. Not sure whether they are directly involved but they would know who is.

slainte 😀 rob

there is a "jump" area, in a non FC section of the wood, if you follow the airfield dispersal ramp at the end of "niggly climb" all the way to end you'll hit the trail on your left.

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Oh right thanks, I'll hopefully have a look at those when I go 🙂

[i]If you just want to ride Scartree there's a free FC carpark in Wakerley Great Wood. Park there and ride back down the road (turn right out of the car park) to the trailhead.[/i]

or just ride across the clearing from the carpark past the outoforder toilets and join the trail there.

or just ride across the clearing from the carpark past the outoforder toilets and join the trail there.

slainte 🙂 rob

how big and new are these here jumps, looking at your arrow its just where the singletrack cuts across a couple of ditches ? am i correct ?
i never spotted them before 😥

ooops double post

[i]
True. I just like the way the trail starts & finishes if you ride it from the 'official' trailhead better than if you join it at the car park.[/i]

i prefer doing the start&end section as one complete trail adds a nice flow, you go up and then you swing down. As for the jumps last time I was there, there were some log "table jump" and some lads were building/testing them, not that big though.

I rode this trail the other day and thought it was quite good. Apart from a few people on full suss bikes struggling to ride through a ditch and blocking the trail. WTF's that all about?

Anyone fancy meeting up one evening at wakerly? Would love to help trailbuilding there too. I noticed some new bits have sprung up also.

ssjeff - Member
I rode this trail the other day and thought it was quite good. Apart from a few people on full suss bikes struggling to ride through a ditch and blocking the trail. WTF's that all about?

Besides, on the new sections where it's still VERY bumpy I reckon a full sus bike is currently quicker (and more comfy) round this trail than a HT despite its lack of real gnarr. Had an Orange 5 fly past me in the middle of the new bits on Sunday looking smooth as you like while the girder-like back end on the Mr Hyde was rattling my fillings out and crunching a large number of vertebrae into bony dust.

slainte ❗ rob

looks like the trail police have been removing the new trail features over near the air field 🙁

Rode this morning, not been for a few weeks. New sections are pretty good. Love the berm bits. A lot of the new stuff isn't sign posted so thanks to the two fellas who showed me where to go.

Just needs a few sections to be weatherproof and the place will be excellent even through winter.

Was down there this morning too. The new sections are starting to ride in a bit and are getting slightly less bumpy. Some sections were pretty muddy and slippy though - can't really tell from the video, but the first section here was horrible to ride -

sofaking - not sure which area you were looking in? Some stuff might have been removed, but the trail fairies have still been busy recently -

Had an explore of some of the off-piste areas too. If you look around there are still some cracking (better than the built stuff) sections of trail that aren't (yet?) part of the official route - the second shot in the first little vid is from a REALLY sweet singletrack section out near the airfield end of things.

Took a drive out to Thetford on Thursday and apart from the bombholes to play in I reckon that Scartree (if you count in the off-piste stuff) now has more to offer us trail starved East Anglians than the bigger centre does.

slainte 8) rob

+1 colournoise. As for the ditch, i was busy gassing to my mate and watched two riders blow it completely today!

Scartree is really coming on. Went to clipstone the other week and that still has a little more to offer but is obviously quite a trek in comparison. Feels like the trail fairies are starting to use the gradient to the best it can. Can't help wondering what fc land round Stamford/ Rutland with more gradient that could have some trails built in.

Bit of a thread revival. Popping over to Scar Tree tomorrow as its only a little way from me, as far as i can see parking is at Fineshades Top Lodge. Is there any alternative area or should i not be a tight arse 🙄

You can park at the Wakerley side for free. Just drive past the trail head and turn left.

Was getting a bit sloppy in places when I rode it last week.

Does anyone know the state of the trail building situation, is it now complete or are they still adding sections?

My thoughts are despite the new additions the trail still lacks excitement. I would like to see the bermed section near the trail start/end extended much further up the slope. Once I have finished the section in the pine trees I'd like to cut straight across and get some good flow and make the most of the gradient.

After the uphill switchbacks there could be a down hill section on the opposite side of the grass track. It could then cut back up hill and join the grass track at the top.

Wakerley is in waling distance and I have considered modifying the trails but I'm not sure it the FC would be too happy.

I went up there this weekend. Can't see me going back when woburn is approx. 79! times better & 20mins closer (to me).

There still seems to be building going on, but not sure how much is FC sanctioned and how much is locals.

I guess the guys at the Fineshades Rutland Cycling shop would know.

slainte ❓ rob

"The sign says DON'T CYCLE IN THE COURTYARD!"

jesus, it was only a trackstand, chill the **** out car park attendant dude.

There is a new Wakerley woods forum [url] http://www.wakerleywoods.co.uk/viewforum.php?f=9 [/url]

The not so secret trail located above the limestone switchbacks is well worth a try. This section is quite narrow and needs widening, plus there are a couple of small trees that could disappear soon as they catch my handlebars. I assume it's used as an uphill trail but I use it as a downhill section as Wakerley loop lacks gradient. To do the trail uphill ride past marker 2 then down a rooty slope that bears right then left onto the start of the grass track. Immediately look out for a limestone excavation and you'll see the start of the trail to the left of this limestone bank between two trees. To start it downhill go up the grass slope after the limestone switchbacks and look out for a small track on the left just before the entrance to the field.

luckypierre - Member
The not so secret trail located above the limestone switchbacks is well worth a try. This section is quite narrow and needs widening, plus there are a couple of small trees that could disappear soon as they catch my handlebars. I assume it's used as an uphill trail but I use it as a downhill section as Wakerley loop lacks gradient. To do the trail uphill ride past marker 2 then down a rooty slope that bears right then left onto the start of the grass track. Immediately look out for a limestone excavation and you'll see the start of the trail to the left of this limestone bank between two trees. To start it downhill go up the grass slope after the limestone switchbacks and look out for a small track on the left just before the entrance to the field.

slainte ❗ rob

Not sure the new sections of trail (or even some of the older ones) will survive the winter in easily rideable condition. Sections aren't draining well and are getting cut up and muddy (Wakerley mud seems to be that odd type that is both slippy and sticky at the same time).

slainte 😳 rob

Interesting music there ^

I used to be quite into sitting in the dark, off my tits, listening to stuff like that

They have 100 ton of hardcore to go down soon.

Went here a couple of weeks ago, fun to do a couple of laps. Its pretty flat so keep your speed up to get the most out of it, there are a couple of nice berm sections. The LBS told me that they are planning more technical features including some woodwork.

Went to Fineshades earlier, not sure if its a different thing to Wakerley Woods (is it?) but its alright for a quick ride. Went with a mate on his first mtb ride (first time on a bike in 8 years!) and he loved it, so looks like its got him into biking 🙂

Was a bit weird though, its just like fire road with smaller singletrack loops/sections off to the sides. Is Scartree different and is it just one longer singletrack loop?

_tom_

Fineshades is the other side of the A43 to Wakerley. The route at Fineshades is a Green family route of mostly surfaced fireroads with a few (admittedly big fuin if you blast them) Blue graded 'skills loops'.

If you ride out of the car park at Fineshades, down the hill, straight across the crossroads on the A43 and ride on for about 1/2 mile you will come to the start of the Scartree trail in Wakerley Great Wood. This is a Red graded trail (though a pretty easy one) that is now pretty much all singletrack. Check out my little helmetcam vid above to see the type of riding you'll find there.

slainte ➡ rob

Good to see this new trail is still generating alot of interest - I love it!

Does anyone actually know what firm plans (if any) there are for Wakerley, going forward, after the current trail work has been completed?

I'm also wondering how unofficial trails will be 'tolerated'? I can imagine that modifying the existing trails is a big no-no (and would never advocate that), but I'm wondering what the reaction would be if you cut in some more sections leading off existng routes?

The only thing that does concern me going forward are potential clashes with other users of the woods. I've already had a a few deathly stares from dog walkers on Sunday mornings, even though I've been courteous and slowed down....