Downhill MTB at Cannock Chase

Stile Cop is the only dedicated site for downhill riding on Cannock Chase. The site has been a breeding ground for local level downhill riding for over 10 years with Chase Trails working with the Forestry Commission to develop and maintain the trails.

The hill isn't huge, the peak is a modest 215m above sea level and only loses around 65m to the bottom but it's fun spot for local riders or those visiting the area. The soil is free draining so it's a perfect winter alternative to other courses that suffer with the mud.

The trails are free to ride and open all year round, the only closures will be for maintenance or emergency reasons. These will normally be posted on our news page but there will always be somewhere to ride if we have work on.

Since 2008 we've been working with the Racer's Guild of Cannock Chase to bring the local riding community together through trail building and small scale, informal, timed practice sessions givign every level of rider the chance to test themselves against the tracks. Go to www.racersguild.co.uk for more details and to join.

Red Course

A smooth, wide, fast and flowing course. The original official course on the hill is aimed at intermediate riders with a series of drops and jumps all the way to the bottom. The Red Course leads onto a number of other lines;

CDL. First left option off the red course cleared by one of the hill's most prolific riders and original downhill builder this is an intermediate trail intended to give a fast and drifty feel. No major jumps instead off-camber loose bends to test your tyres and line choice.

Walleater. A serious option for skilled riders only. Take the second left off the red course and prepare for some of the biggest features in the area. Take the steady run down the hill to a an 18 foot long gap jump into a big kicker followed by a ballsy 15 foot gap / step down. The trail is currently pretty overgrown but we’re hoping to clear it off and finish some other ideas during 2010.

Snakes ‘n Ladders. Right hand option after the big sweeping left hand berm. A small ladder drop takes you into a steep chute, Traverse the hill side into a sweeping ladder drop which lands into a funky tight right hander berm, cover the brakes!!

Black Course

A narrow singletrack line on one of the flattest parts of the hill. A series of small jumps, drops and rock gardens take you down the hill. Some sticky of camber bits lead down to the biggest feature on the course, a step down drop into a fast right hand berm with an 18 foot table top to finish.

The Mega Trail

A pumpstastic, jumptastic play ground. Set away from CDL the Mega Trail is smile filled jumpy oasis amongst the DH tracks on the hill. Using the gradient of this part of the hill a series of small table tops and doubles build and built to a series of 3 jumps which are not to be taken lightly. A smaller option is also available to let riders build up to the big one.

Dark Side

For years the unofficial playground for local riders is across the main fire road climb beside the red course. We are working on pulling together the network of trails to develop the full potential in these great trails.

Ridge Run. Open, fast and fun. Full speed all the way into sweeping corners, nice jumps with a series of tight and twisty corners to finish.

Little Bringe. Start on the ridge run and break left, off-camber corners and roots, things start to get trickier on this line.

Wonderland. Follow Alice through the looking glass for a wheels on the ground introduction into a more technical trail.

Balboa. Named after Rocky himself this trail is our experiment in using bigger rocks on the hill, with a ladder drop and decent sized kicker to lead you into a singletrack finish.

New Line. This is a culmination of various ideas from elsewhere form the hill and the minds of some of our more experienced local talent. Wide and fast to start, a rock garden take you into the trees for some serious roots and the 2 fastest drops on the hill, a squirmy surface and pinball feel into the tight trees is a must for any serious rider visiting the hill. Tested and given props by Steve Peat himself in the Racer’s Guild Charity event in the Autumn of 2008 you’ve got to be on it to get the most out of this trail.

All of the courses end at around the same point at the bottom of the hill, from here expect a walk of only around 10 minutes to get you back to the top of the hill.

Check the courses on foot before hitting them at speed. Full face helmets and body armour are strongly advised.

Downhill News: