Scottish Mountain Biking Trails

Afforded ‘global super-star status’ in 2006 for quality trails, by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and aided by over £5million of investment from Forestry Commission Scotland, a network of more than 20 centres and hundreds of miles of purpose-built bike trails have sprung up in woodland and on rocky mountainsides across Scotland. From the Learnie Trails north of Inverness, to the vast 7stanes network in southern Scotland, white-knuckle descents, fast and furious single-track and gentle forest ‘fire-roads’ form part of the myriad of beginner to expert trails contoured into the landscape to give bikers the ride of their lives.

If enlightened access laws have helped these tartan trails develop, it’s a two-and-half kilometre-long downhill track and lung-busting cross-country sections 8km north of the west highland town of Fort William, that have firmly placed Scottish mountain-biking in the international spotlight. Having staged an annual round of the World Cup since 2002 on the lower slopes of Aonach Mor and in Leanachan Forest, Nevis Range is now preparing for 20,000 spectators and 750 elite riders – between 3-9 September the country hosts the World Mountain Bike Championships for the first time.

Even if you can’t make the journey to watch the action unfold in the shadow of Britain’s highest peak (Ben Nevis), Dougie Pryce of Off Beat Bikes in Fort William has no doubt that hardcore and novice riders alike will relish the trail riding: ‘The entire area has excellent biking for every level of ability.  Steeper natural terrain creates technically challenging single-track including terrific descents and tricky features. In Leanachan Forest and as far as Spean Bridge there are also easier trails for families and the less experienced rider.’

With over 40km of trail to explore around Nevis Range, the less confident rider can enjoy over 12km and two hours of gentle ‘green route’ terrain that follows the fire-road in Leanachan Forest with occasional climbs, and fun, non-technical descents. Really young children will enjoy the Trailquest course, solving the riddles as they pedal from marker to marker, while for all there are handy picnic stops from where to feast on the view of the surrounding mountains.

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