Glentress

I’ve heard that Ian Warby has called Glentress “the UK’s number-one mountain bike destination” and as the Cycling Tourist Club’s resident trail expert, he ought to know! Glentress is wonderful for bikers of all levels because it contains a wide variety of beginner trails, intermediate challenges, and even devilish “black runs” for those truly brave souls who like to pedal through some seriously rough stuff so there is something for everyone!

Glentress Forest, Scotland, UK by Estrnc

Fort William

Well, if this place is good enough for the annual Mountain Bike World Cup then I can certainly put my endorsement behind it! This one puts you smack bang in the picturesque Scottish Highlands. There aren’t as many beginner offerings here, but once you get your skill level up, you can’t go wrong with the breathtaking sights and challenges it offers you.

Kirroughtree

This one is in Southern Scotland and is a bit less mountainy as a result, being through forests and country primarily. Still, it contains a few of the UK’s longest biking trails and there are some extremely challenging trails here if you’re of the more advanced type. It also has some wonderful beginner and intermediate trails, although the advanced offerings are the main claim to fame.

On Kirroughtree 7stanes Black route, Scotland, UK by alx_chief

Dalbeattie

There are a couple of beginner and intermediate offerings in Dalbeattie, though I think most people who come here are the brave folks who want to try the Hardrock trail. And believe me, bravery is necessary! The surface of this trail is extremely rocky and even veteran mountain riders constantly make epic spills.

Newcastleton

Right on the border of Scotland and England, this one offers primarily shorter trails. The lack of longer trails may be a disappointment to some, but frankly, I think the absolutely stunning sights make this a worthy stop nonetheless. And really, while you can’t quite “go the distance” here as it were, you can still find plenty of ways to challenge yourself on their famous “Red Route” which is one of the narrowest biking trails in existence right on the side of a cliff!

Newcastleton, Scotland, UK by Mike

The UK offers a ton of exciting opportunities for mountain biking enthusiasts everywhere but I have to admit, some of my favourites are in Scotland. With a nice variety of terrain types, Scotland offers some of the most diverse ranges of mountain biking experiences of any region in the world. Just remember, it pays to have some insurance such as ProtectYourBubble.com mountain bike insurance in case you do have some sort of accident on your adventures!

Laura Ginn is a professional writer and blogger who has recently rediscovered her love of hitting the trails. She has attempted trails in wide variety of locations but constantly comes back to her love for the unique trail offerings in the UK.

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