We all know the benefits of going for a walk in the countryside: the fresh air, the views, the exercise. But sometimes the wild landscape can be too much for us: the hills too steep, the vegetation too thick or, worst of all, too much mud. But there are some people who’ll tell you that the best bits of countryside trails are the muddy bits, and those people are quad bikers. When the going gets tough for walking, it gets fun for quad biking. These all-terrain vehicles are designed to tackle everything the outdoors can throw at them, and if you take a ride on one of them, you’ll never look at a muddy puddle in the same way again. Hills, forests and mud - there’s plenty of them in Cheshire, which is why we’re recommending this county in the Northwest, a stone’s throw away from the cities of Manchester and Liverpool, for an off-road adventure.

The best thing is that riding a quad bike is hardly more difficult than walking. They’re comfortable, stable and have an intuitive riding style, so after a couple of minutes mastering the basics, you can get out into the Cheshire countryside to find out what they’re capable of. And there’s so much variety on any off-road course that your ride can be as challenging as you want to make it: if there’s an obstacle that looks too hard you can always find a way around it, or if it looks too easy just try completing it as fast as possible! We’re sure that there's something to tempt you to try it, and it’s probably well within your price range too.

Where are the best places to go quad biking in Cheshire?

• Chester: known for its Roman walls and Cathedral, Chester is a civilised city. But you don’t have to go far to find a wild ride. In 250 acres of countryside you can indulge your off-road passion on paths, trails, and a purpose built quad bike track. This is a place where you can experience the speed of top of the range quads as well as their all terrain capabilities on a variety of challenging routes through woodland, along riverbanks and, of course, into the mud.

• Frodsham: an outdoor activity centre on the banks of the River Weaver, Catton Hall is a mecca for quad bike enthusiasts. It boasts a nine mile off-road circuit which throws challenge after challenge your way. Starting with classic woodland trails, you’re rewarded with a downhill straight to open the machine up, before hitting more obstacles and, finally, a huge man-made sand dune! You’ll have to use the skills that you pick up on the way round to climb to the top without getting stuck in the sand, but don’t worry - if you run into difficulties your quad guide will be on hand to help you pull through.

• Crewe: many of us have had the experience of waiting for a train connection at Crewe station, dreaming of a more exciting way of getting around. Well the wait is over, because there’s a fantastic quad bike experience just outside the town. There are numerous routes for all abilities here which include cross country trekking and man made obstacles like log climbs and water features. No matter how tough the terrain, you’ll have the quad to match, and if you’re a rider with some experience you can tackle advanced routes.

• Malpas: the luxury country hotel at Carden Park might not look like the best place for mud-slinging adventure at first glance, but the 1,000 acres of parkland hide a dirty secret. It’s a quad bike trail designed to get your heart racing and your face splattered by mud. Explore the hotel grounds, race your friends and make memories for the rest of your life with the help of a powerful ATV here.

Requirements to do this activity

You don’t need any previous experience of riding a quad bike to have a great time on one. It’s not even necessary that you know how to drive a car or ride a bike, because they are simple, stable and intuitive. Adults of all abilities can take their pick of this adventure, but there are some places that don’t cater to younger petrol heads. This is due to the vehicles on offer. Some machines are pretty big so the riders have to have the strength and stature to match and this might mean that under 15 year olds can’t take part. But to make sure that all the family can get involved, all you have to do is find an operator with smaller quads. While these are a little less powerful, they don’t compromise on thrills and they can be driven by anyone aged over 10 years old.

This activity is best enjoyed in a group. You know what they say, if everyone’s muddy, no one’s muddy, right? So bring your friends or family, or organise a stag party, hen party, corporate get away with a difference! Groups of up to 10 can ride together on most of Cheshire’s quad bike tracks, but larger events are possible too with as many as 18 riders. And don’t worry if you’re a mixed group of adults and children - although you’ll be on different machines, you can ride on the same track.

How long does a ride last?

You can expect at least an hour’s riding here in Cheshire, not counting welcomes, safety briefings, etc. The timer starts when you’re in the saddle and you’ll have a bit of time to get used to the quad’s controls and power in a controlled environment, before setting off on tracks and trails across the landscape. And depending on how much you want to do, you can choose activities of up to 3 hours - you’ll be the God of ATV's by the time you finish!

What should you bring to a n experience?

Don’t turn up to ride a quad bike in Cheshire dressed in your best outfit, unless you want it to get covered in mud. Although your guide will give you overalls to protect you from the biggest splashes, if you come away with clean clothes, you’re not doing it right. So wear something comfortable and appropriate to the time of year. You need to wear the right kind of shoes too: walking boots or trainers are great, and we also recommend a spare pair in case they get wet. As well as the overalls, you’ll be given a helmet for safety purposes and gloves if necessary but no more specialist equipment is necessary.

The all-terrain vehicle is all you need to have a fantastic time here, don’t hesitate to make a booking with us!