Trails

Families

Ballater is surrounded by circular routes typically lasting between 1 and 4 hours. The Old Deeside Railway Cycle Route is especially suitable for families with tearooms and river-side views. The Bike Safari Route is great for spotting wildlife including Buzzards, Red Squirrel, Osprey and Highland Cattle. The Glen Muick to Glen Girnock Route is a great adventure for the more energetic.

XC Mountain Bikers

Starting from our shop the Lochnagar and Morven “Killer Loops” are great for panoramic views and huge descents. The Cairn Leuchan ridge feeds four brake-burning descents and one crazy singletrack to the base of Mount Keen. Glen Tanar contains the well-known Fungle route. Cambus O’May, Loch Kinord, the infamous “Rollercoaster” and the classic Green Mile are popular singletrack areas.

Ballater is a gateway to the Central Highlands and if you are planning a trip through the Cairngorms or around Braemar, we can assist with route information and vehicle support.

Please note the above trails and routes are subject to extreme weather conditions and challenging terrain. Respect must also be given to other trail users and activities such as deer stalking. Please give way to walkers and be very aware of horses, especially in Glen Tanar and Balmoral Estates. Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice and the following websites are useful.

Mountain Weather Information Service
BBC Weather
Hillphones System
Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Trailmaps
Cairngorms Outdoor Access Trust

Mountain Bike Trail Centres

Downhill Mountain Bikers

The Pitfichie cycle trails are between Alford and Monymusk only 30 minutes East of Ballater. Although best for XC/ All-mountain bikes, Pitfichie does contain a downhill race track used by the Scottish Downhill Association.

Kirkhill Forest is outside Aberdeen and only 45 minutes East of Ballater. It contains a fun-park as well as some great singletrack.

Chairlift accessed downhill trails are available only 30 minutes from Ballater at The Lecht Ski Centre.

Glenshee Ski centre is planning chairlift access for mountain bikers this year. Glenshee is 45 minutes West of Ballater.

Laggan Wolf-trax is fantastic for all mountain bikers, but for those with big-travel bikes there is an uplift service. Wolf-trax is one hour thirty minutes from Ballater via Aviemore and is regularly visited by the Ballater Mountain Bike Club.

Kona bikes and full face helmets/ armour are available for rental at Cyclehighlands.

The following websites are useful:-

The Lecht Ski and Activity Centre
Glenshee Ski Centre
Scottish Downhill Association
Moray Monster Trails/Forestry Commission
Laggan Wolftrax

Contact us for more info