There are many great places to go mountain bike riding in the UK, but none more so than Scotland. If you have ever. had the privilege of going to Scotland you will note it. It has without doubt the best views scenery and landscape in the whole of the UK.
if you want the most remote experience of freely riding out in nature away from civilization Scotland is the place to go, by far. With a plethora of different trails scattered around Scotland, you can take advantage of the more easily accessible southern. Bike trails way up to the Highlands far north, Scotland Mounting biking which will give you a very unique experience.
Here we are featured what we believe are the top 10 Mounting biking trails you can visit in Scotland:
Nevis Range, Fort William
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
The Nevis Range at Fort William offers mountain biking trails for all levels of abilities, from beginner to Elite. The orange-graded tracks are suitable for beginners, while the blue, red, and black level downhill mountain biking cater to more advanced riders. There is also a network of trails known as the lower Forest trails that offer an experience for everyone. New trails are continuously being added, including the recently added blue mounting bike Trail, and the red giant and Witch’s trails are perfect for intermediate riders. This track has been home to the UCI Downhill World Cup since the early 2000s.
Laggan Wolftrax, Cairngorms National Park
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner, Intermediate, Expert
The Laggan Wolftrax mountain bike center is purpose-built and ideal for riders of all abilities and skill levels. The wolf cub Green trail is ideal for young children at a beginner level and also works well as a nice warm-up track for adults. The Howlin Wolf Red is quite fast-flowing with sweeping berms and table tops, ideal for bikers who want a bit more of a challenge. The rib rattler red is fast-flowing and more technical, with rock causeways and natural rock features. The Alpha Red is fast-flowing and technical, with a rock slab descent and a fun, fast-flowing descent from the Wolves Lair. The Wolf of Badenoch Black is for expert experienced riders and is very demanding and technical, with sizable drop-offs, tight turns, and The Devil’s chess board, a 40-meter rock slab staircase.
Glentress and Innerleithen, Scottish Borders
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Glentress posts some of the best mounting biking that you’ll find in Scotland, catering to every aspect and every level of mounting bike rider there is. The Glentress skills area is perfect for warming up, while the lower green route is ideal for beginners and even the more advanced riders who want to warm up. The upper green route offers stunning views and scenery, and the Glentress blue route is perfect for beginners and novices who want to try and move up to the more intermediate level. The Glentress red route features more technical climbs, amazing scenery, and a few jumps and burns. The Glentress black route is not for the faint-hearted, as it is a monster at 18 miles long, meaning it will be physically demanding and push your ability as a mountain bike rider.
The 7stanes, Dumfries and Galloway
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner, Intermediate
The 7Stanes is a world-class mountain bike centre in the South of Scotland with seven mountain bike centres catering for beginners, novices, intermediates, and advanced riders. The centres are located in Glentress, Peebles; Innerleithen, Scottish Borders; Ae Forest, Dumfries and Galloway; Mabie Forest, Dumfries and Galloway; Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway; Kirroughtree, Galloway Forest Park; Glentrool, Galloway Forest Park; and Carron Valley, Stirlingshire. Carron Valley is an all-purpose built mountain biking trail suitable for all skill levels. The red route is fast and fun, and includes tabletops, drop-offs, berms, and jumps.
Ben A’an
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Ben A’an is located in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park area and features over 40 mountain bike trails suitable for all skill levels. One example is the 128-kilometre-long Rob Roy Way. The area offers stunning scenery, but requires in-depth research before committing to a trail.
Dunkeld
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner, Intermediate
Dunkeld offers mountain biking trails such as Loch Oiseanneach via Loch Ordie Mountain Bike Route, which is suitable for all skill levels. It is a nice relaxing ride through woodland, past locks and morland. Lady Charlotte’s Cave Circular offers a mid-range experience suitable for intermediate riders and will push your endurance and fitness levels. For a challenge, the Bank Foot and Burnham Circular is 40 kilometres long.
Balblair, Moray
Levels of Skill Required:
Beginner (Blue Trail), Advanced (Black Trail)
Balblair is a great mountain bike trail for those who like riding through forests. It features high rocky slabs and gorgeous hilly terrain views. Currently, it is worth it to double-check to see if the trails are open. You have two to choose from, easily named the Blue Trail and the Black Trail.
The Blue Trail, at around 2 miles long, mostly comes with gravel paths and gentle to moderate slopes. It may be worth noting wearing waterproof clothing because it can be quite muddy when wet.
The Black Trail is mostly loose gravel and bare rock, can be very steep in places, and once again, also very muddy.
Golspie, Sutherland
Levels of Skill Required:
Intermediate, Advanced
The Wildcat Mountain Bike Trails in Golspie Highland can give you a great Scotland cycling adventure. If you want to be out in the sticks and experience a very remote biking experience, then this one could be just for you.
Situated in northern Scotland, as high as Inverness and beyond, this will give you a unique mountain biking experience where you can just relax, get away from the rat race, and go one-to-one with nature.
One huge feature of Wildcat Mountain is the humongous descent from the top of Ben Bhraggie, 1300 feet to sea level. It also features one of the longest technical single-track climbs in the whole UK.
Do keep in mind that these mountain bike trails are predominantly aimed at intermediate to advanced-level riders. However, if it’s a unique mountain biking experience that you’re looking for, you may have just found it.
Pitfichie, Aberdeenshire
Levels of Skill Required:
Intermediate, Advanced
Last but not least, Pitfichie Forest Mountain Bike Trails, having featured in the past Scottish Enduro Series competitions and also the downhill course Championship Series in the past.
The two official cross-country trails which you can use for mountain biking will give you a very good test of your ability and endurance. However, in total, there are 12 access road-type trails. Four of these are blue, eight are red, and six are black. There is also a ProLine trail which is the downhill course.
Needless to say that Pitfichie offers some testy bike trails and it is suitable for the mid to high-end advanced rider.
