Guided Mountain Bike Rides in the Cairngorms
Nestled in the mountains of the eastern Highlands lies the Cairngorms (known in Scottish Gaelic as Am Monadh Ruadh), a boulder-strewn landscape with summits reaching 1,300m. It’s a popular area for winter sports, rock climbing and, of course, mountain biking. With a tangled network of trails blanketing the mountain range, there’s something for all skill levels and riding abilities, which is what makes this area of Scotland a TrailCoach favourite. Here are a handful of unmissable riding spots in the beautiful Cairngorms.
For more information about riding in the Cairngorms, head over to https://visitcairngorms.com/mountainbiking.html
Aviemore
A popular spot for mountain bikers in the summer and skiers in the winter, Aviemore is home to 17 natural mountain bike trails. Situated on the outskirts of the Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore is engulfed in natural beauty, scattered with towering mountains, of which, is Cairngorm itself.
Ben Macdui
Soaring high above the valleys is the Ben Macdui trail. Weaving up 967m of ascent, this trail is a thorough-bred Scottish route which samples the stunning wilderness of the Highlands. Covering approximately 31km in distance, this all-day adventure is not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced as the climb will involve hike-a-bike sections and scrambling up rocks to achieve its summit where rewarding views of the Highlands will have you stoked for the fantastic technical descent that’s to follow.
Lairig Ghru
If you’re looking for a challenge, a route to test your skills and endurance levels, then Lairig Ghu is for you. With a third of the way demanding hike-a-bike efforts, this isn’t a trail to be ridden on a whim. Much of the trail consists of double-track climbing and technical single-track descents covering roughly 35km in distance. It’s not advisable to undertake this trail in adverse weather conditions.
Beinn a’Bhuird
It’s the 11th highest mountain in the UK and officially listed as one of Scotland’s Munros. Offering a massive plateau, which forms the eastern area of the Cairngorm mountain range, Beinn a’Bhuird reaches a height of 1,197m.
There are two distinct riding trails on this Munro, the Neep route which covers 39.5km with 1,004m of climbing, and the River Gairn & Culardoch trail which covers a distance of 35km and 712m of ascent. Both trails are moderately difficult, but both offer authentic wild Scottish adventure.
Glenlivet
Situated on the Glenlivet Estate, the bike trails in this area are ideal for beginner and intermediate riders looking to experience a little variety in their day. The site is home to a pump track, where you can train and warm-up before heading off onto one of two trails. There’s a blue-graded route which covers a distance of 9km, and a red-graded route which covers 22km in total.
High Burnside
Last, but not least, the Cairngorms is home to the High Burnside trail network. Littered with short and punchy descents to suit all abilities, a day here offers unparalleled variety – after all, it is the spice of life!