There has never been a more exciting time than now, to enjoy mountain biking in Scotland. Bikes, components and trails have developed over the last 30 years to make the mountain biking revolution one of the most exciting in recent adventure sports history. And Scotland is emerging as a world leader.
Why? Maybe it's the terrain, which is ideal for mountain biking. Perhaps the breathtaking scenery, which is the perfect, though an admittedly distracting, backdrop to some of the best mountain biking in the world! Could be the rapidly growing number of expertly-designed trails appearing all over Scotland or Forestry Commission Scotland projects such as the 7stanes, Laggan Wolftrax and the Witch's Trails network. What is undeniable is the undoubted and infectious enthusiasm for the sport in Scotland.
So get yourself out there and ride what is fast becoming a key world mountain biking destination. You'll find further information by clicking the links below.
Abriachan is a 530-hectare area of forest and open hill ground, suitable for newcomers to mountain biking yet it can still offer something to those more advanced.
The 7stanes centre at Ae, is in a large forest beside a tiny village north of Dumfries. Here the emphasis is on fun - where the trails can safely be described as gorgeous.
The Isle of Arran is known as 'Scotland in miniature' as it has pretty much everything that features in Scotland at large - majestic mountains, deep glens, stunning beaches and great mountain biking.
Balblair offers both a fun blue route for competent bikers and challenging black route for experienced riders along with stunning views over the Kyle of Sutherland and out to the West.
With networks of twisting, bermy trails as well as limbo bars, low-level skinnies, forest logs the Gap Jump and the Fun Box Balnain is ofter considered the
cycling equivalent of a skateboard park.
If you like your mountain biking raw and adventurous, spend a day exploring the Cairngorms - the options are vast and varied - and once you've been seduced by this area … you’ll be back!
The Carbisdale trails offer challenging cycling for competent mountain bike riders with excellent views over the inner Dornoch Firth and Bonar Bridge.
Visit these entertaining trails located in Central Scotland. Glasgow and Stirling are only 20 minutes drive away, Edinburgh and Perth are only 40 minutes away. Get yourself to the most central mountain biking trails in Scotland.
Dalbeattie offers excellent technical singletrack on a hard granite foundation with a few interesting features thrown in for good measure.
Drumlanrig offers a unique mountain biking proposition in Scotland: dedicated trails on a private estate. And right on the doorstep of three of the 7stanes centres, at Ae, Mabie and Dalbeattie.
The Fire Tower Trail at Lochgilphead includes big climbs and thrilling descents along with spectacular views of the islands of Jura, Scarba and the Gulf of Corryvreckan.
Mention Fort William in mountain biking circles and get wide smiles of friendly acknowledgement – and that's throughout the world, not just in Scotland. So, Fort 'Bill' and mountain biking go together like bread and jam.
The skills circuit at Glenmore Lodge opened in June 2005 and is designed for training for the Scottish Mountain Bike Leader awards, the Scottish MTB squads, and other groups by special arrangement.
Glentress is Scotland’s biggest and most popular mountain bike centre, and the unofficial hub of the sport of mountain biking in Scotland. It is, in short, a phenomenon and the flagship 7stanes centre.
Glentrool is one of the 7stanes centres, but for those reared on a diet of man-made single-track trails, it might come as a bit of a shock to discover that such trails, in the main, don't feature here.
Billed as the longest freeride descent in the UK, the new trail currently being built high up on Ben Bhraggie, Golspie is sure to attract downhill aficionados from all over the UK.
Innerleithen is known primarily as a centre for downhill riding, though it also has a quality cross country route – the 7stanes Traquair XC, a serious, challenging trail that provides yet another option in the Tweed Valley.
On the outskirts of Aberdeen, Kirkhill forest is a big draw for mountain bikers, since it is the only local forest with a dedicated, purpose built stretch of single-track. And what a blast it is!
The 7stanes team has created something special. It’s a couple of hours drive from the Scottish central belt but it’s worth the effort if you’re looking for a mountain biking experience that is at the tougher, more epic end of the scale.
Called ‘Laggan Wolftrax’ after the legendary ‘Wolf of Badenoch’, the new mountain bike routes are managed by Forestry Commission Scotland and are billed as ‘mountain bike trails with bite.’
One of the best-kept secrets of Scottish biking is north of Inverness, at Learnie. Trails criss-cross intricately and at one point are are so tight, that sections have been cut out of two trees to allow handlebars through!
Mabie has a different mood about it. No matter how hard you ride you always get a chilled out feeling at Mabie, probably due to the serene woodland surroundings and natural feel to parts of the trail.
The Moray Monster Trails at Ben Aigan are part of an exciting development, which includes – and should eventually connect – three different forests, Whiteash, Ordiequish and Ben Aigan itself.
It’s another one of the 7stanes centres, arguably the most modest at present, and generally presented by Forestry Commission Scotland as more of a family-friendly centre.
Comrie Croft Bike Trails are a new, compact and expanding set of dedicated trails with a little something for everyone.
Pitfichie is perfect for more adventurous mountain bikers and has in the past successfully hosted events in the Scottish Downhill Association (SDA) race series.
Pollok Country Park is an ideal place to visit for all levels of mountain biking, and contains three mountain bike circuits set in the heart of Glasgow, located close to National Cycle routes 7 and 75.
Contin Forest has a 10-mile cross-country route, much of it single-track and virtually all of it lovingly crafted by local mountain bikers.