Helter Skelter MTB trail

The Helter Skelter MTB trail near Cranbrook is a proper adrenaline rush if you're into mountain biking. It's a technical downhill run that lives up to its name - all switchbacks and berms designed to test your nerve and bike handling. You're looking at a fairly gnarly descent through woodland, the kind of trail where you need to know what you're doing on a bike.

This isn't for casual Sunday riders. Intermediate to advanced bikers will get the most from it, particularly those who enjoy technical terrain and don't mind picking themselves up if they lose concentration. Beginners will find it intimidating and probably crash a lot, which defeats the purpose.

Allow a good hour or so if you're riding multiple runs, though each descent itself is relatively quick once you've walked it. The real time commitment is shuttling back up, either by hiking or shuttle service if available.

If you're based at Glassenbury Camping just 2.4 miles away, this makes for a solid half-day activity during a Kent countryside break. Tanner Farm Park and The Original Hut Company Camping options are slightly further out but still within easy striking distance. The surrounding area offers other trails too, so committed riders could piece together a proper day on the bike.

Best visited during dry spells when the ground's firm - wet clay here gets sketchy fast.