Where to Ride: Scotland

A world renowned MTB destination with trails for every kind of rider, plus road and leisure routes galore, Scotland is a true haven for anyone who loves their cycling.

Scotland has a profusion of traffic free trails and great routes on quiet country lanes. Whether you're looking for a short cycle on traffic free trails or an epic route for a touring holiday, Sustrans has an excellent resource of routes here. The Scottish tourist board's cycling website is also an excellent source of route information.

If mountain biking is your thing, then Scotland really is the place to go, with more trail centres than any other part of the UK. The Scottish Borders is blessed with no less than seven world class trail centres, known collectively as the 7Stanes project, all of which boast graded all-weather trails from family to extreme, while most centres offer bike hire, bike wash and refreshments, plus the kind of views that you only get in Scotland. For more information go here. 

Further north, Fort William is a world class centre for all kinds of outdoor activities and boasts trails for all abilities in the shadow of the mighty Ben Nevis. For more general information on mountain biking in Scotland go here.

Ride Ideas

Touring Routes in the Highlands - A choice of five touring itineraries from Highland cycling holiday specialists Ticket To Ride. Ranging from four to six days, the tours are the best way to see the dramatic scenery of Orkney, Skye, the Highlands, Loch Ness and the Western Isles.
MTB: Dalbeattie - With its coastal setting and the lack of any big hills, Dalbeattie has a relaxed feel. However the riding is far from dull - the outcrops of rock and fine views make sure of that.
MTB: Glentress - Glentress is perhaps the most pre-eminent of all the 7stanes, the daddy of the Scottish trail centres in age as well as sheer scope. We ride and rate the Red Route.
MTB: Innerleithen - Situated just a few miles from the gravitational centre of Scottish mountain biking, Glentress, the smaller and unassuming Innerleithen has bags of surprises around every corner.
MTB: Glasgow Mountain Bike Circuit - A choice of short but fun green, blue and red MTB routes in the heart of Glasgow.
MTB: Highland Wildcat - A choice of blue, red and black trails centred on Golspie in Sutherland.
MTB: Laggan Wolftrax - Blue, Red and Black trail options near Newtonmore.
Leisure: Clatteringshaw Lochs - A 41 mile on and off road ride in the beautiful Dumfries and Galloway area
MTB: Loch Ard Forest - A challenging 24 mile route with stiff climbs and steep descents. On the way there are excellent views towards Stirling and the Lake of Menteith (Scotland's only lake) and Ben Venue to the north.
LEISURE: Glenmore - The wild and mountainous area is home to the popular TV series Monarch of the Glen. Spectacular scenery provides the backdrop to a wide array of outdoor adventure activities.
MTB: Mabie - Green, blue, red and black trail options at this top notch 7Stanes trail centre in Dumfries and Galloway - Read out full trail report.
MTB: Newcastleton - Scottish Borders trail centre with Green, Blue and Red trail options
Leisure - Round-Edinburgh Off Road Route - An excellent traffic free leisure route from  Visit Scotland's superb routes database.
MTB: Ae Forest - Red, green and blue graded trails plus downhill course near Dumfries. One of the most accessible of the Scottish trails centres for English visitors, being just 10 miles north of Dumfries, close to the border. Read our full trail report.
Leisure: Speyside Way - A beautiful, flat and very quiet ride with striking views of the River Spey which is ideal for young children. The route follows a smooth and fairly flat railway path closely following the contours of the River Spey itself. A family favourite.
Leisure: The Trossachs - Enjoy the natural beauty and historic sites of the Trossachs and the Loch. Mostly on cycle path around Loch Katrine, so it's very flat.
Leisure: Edinburgh to Falkirk Wheel - Explore the historic Grand Union canal by bike. A safe and easy trail along a towpath, culmiinating in the extraordinary Falkirk Wheel canal boat lift.
Leisure: Fife - East Neuk - Enjoy and pretty tour of Fife's eastern peninsula with its beatiful scenery and quiet fishing villages.
MTB: Kirroughtree - Caters for families through to experts. Includes waymarked routes for families; the four 7-Stanes trails Blue & Green routes on forest roads, farm tracks and quiet public roads, Red & Black for more experienced riders including technical singletrack with water splashes, drops, steep descents and rock slabs
LEISURE: Fife Millenium Cycle Routes - A range of woodland routes from 4 to 14 km in length, in the idyllic setting of Blairadam Forest.
LEISURE: Glasgow - Art and the Park - Not just a bike ride - experience three parks, two art galleries, a swimming pool and a ski centre!
LEISURE: Glasgow to Falkirk Wheel - Explore the natural and historical sights of the 250 year old Forth-Clyde canal.
MTB: Glentrool - An epic 58km forest and mountain route in Robert the Bruce country. Or if the Big Country route isn't your bag, there are shorter Blue and Green graded options.
LEISURE: Glasgow to Loch Lomond - a combination of cycle paths, parks and roads which take you from the heart of the city to the gateway to the Glens.
LEISURE: Dunbar to Abbey St Barthans - A 34 mile hilly, challenging ride starting at the coast and looping inland to Abbey St Bathans in Lothian.