The best MTB trail centres in Scotland | All you need to know about the 7stanes trail centres – and more

What the riding’s like, who it’s suitable for and how to get there

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Published: Saturday, 11 May 2024 at 15:00 PM

Scotland offers some of the best mountain biking in the British Isles.

A lot of this riding comes courtesy of purpose-built trail centres located around the country, with many placed under the umbrella of the ‘7stanes’ which spans the south of Scotland.

Trail centres are great resources, especially in the winter months, offering whatever-the-weather riding thanks to their hardpack construction.

Through this guide, we bring you all the info you need on what we consider to be Scotland’s best trail centres. So whether you’re a seasoned pro or are just starting in the wonderful world of mountain biking, you can discover some of the best places to go and ride your bike.

The best MTB trail centres in Scotland

Dalbeattie trail guide

Dalbeattie offers great views of the surrounding area. – Andrew McCandlish / Our Media

Dalbeattie is situated less than half an hour from Dumfries in the southwest of Scotland and is home to a wide range of trails for varying abilities.

It is one of the original 7stanes trail centres, so you can expect the trails to weather extreme conditions.

What facilities are there at Dalbeattie?

In the town of Dalbeattie, you’ll find convenience stores and cafes to fuel your day out, alongside hotels should you wish to stay.

Brambles Cafe serves food from 10:00 to 16:00 at the trailhead alongside a picnic area.

Parking at the 7stanes car park is paid by coin or the RingGo app, with a day pass priced at £3 for cars and £12 for minibuses.

You can also stay the night in the car park for £7, and there are no height barriers for larger vehicles.

There are no bike cleaning facilities, so expect to be taking a dirty bike back home with you.

How to get to Dalbeattie

Located 30 minutes from Dumfries, Dalbeattie’s trailhead sits just south of the town on the A710.

What are the trails like at Dalbeattie?

Dalbeattie is well known for its granite shoots, with The Slab being one of the most iconic trail features standing at 14m high.

The trails themselves are all hardpack making them great for all-weather riding, and with green, blue and red trails there is something for everyone.

Ironhash Trail

The Ironhash Trail is just over 11km and is a fairly flat ride that’s good for inexperienced riders and families. The green trail mostly follows forest roads, though there are two short singletrack sections for riders looking to dip more than just their toe.

Moyle Hill Trail

This trail is slightly longer than the Ironhash Trail and goes higher up the hillside to take in views of the Urr estuary. On the way back down to the trailhead there’s some rooty and rocky singletrack to enjoy.

Hardrock Trail

This is the most technically demanding trail at Dalbeatie with optional black sections of singletrack featuring throughout. Ambitious riders can take on The Slab, a sheer granite roll that stays grippy all year round.

Fort William trail guide

Riders coming down trail at Fort William
The rock slaps at the top offer plenty of line choices. – Russell Burton / Our Media

Many would argue that Fort William is the jewel in the crown of Scotland’s mountain bike scene.

Home to the UK round of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup, the centre has received international fame and offers the only gondola-accessed downhill trails in the country.

The centre also caters to less gravity-focused disciplines, with cross-country, beginner-level and intermediate trails traversing the lower forest accessed via a forest road.

What facilities are there at Fort William?

Riders getting on gondola at Fort William
The gondola brings an alpine feeling. – Russell Burton / Our Media

There are very few facilities not catered to by Fort William, with the centre featuring a cafe, bike wash and bike shop that provides bike hire.

Uplifts are serviced by a gondola, at the top of which is the Snowgoose Restaurant serving food and drinks with a view of the neighbouring high mountains.

Day parking costs £5 and overnight parking for motorhomes is priced at £15.

Should you wish to stay, the Nevis Range Basecamp Hotel is located on-site or you can venture to Fort William where you’ll find a plethora of inns and hotels.

At the bottom of the hill, there is a skills area and a pump track to practice your technique before hitting the trails.

The Nevis Range Mountain Resort also offers a wide range of hiking routes, as well as providing snowsports in the winter months.

How to get to Fort William

Fort Willam is located in the north-west of Scotland and is well signposted along the A82.

What are the trails like at Fort William?

The trails at Fort William are feature-rich, with large jumps and river gaps featuring on the downhill tracks and fun sweeping singletrack on the lower forest.

Most trails feature a hardpack construction, with large rocks littered throughout to test your forearms and suspension setup.

Long boardwalk sections feature and there’s a specific 4X track to chase your friends down.

Blue Adder

This trail is in the lower forest and features built-up berms that allow you to lay off the brakes and carry lots of speed through the trees.

Blue Doon

Blue Doon is the only blue trail accessed by the gondola. The trail takes advantage of the elevation by flowing down the mountain into the lower forest.

World Champs

World Champs offers tight singletrack in the lower forest, with fast and loose corners.

Top Chief

Top Chief starts at the very top of the mountain and features large boardwalks before developing into a rowdy, rocky descent.

World Cup

This is the only track in the UK that will give you a taste of what it’s like at the top end of downhill. It has flowing sections that lead into punishing rock gardens and takes in large drops and jumps on the way down.

Glenlivet trail guide

Riders on trail through forest at Glenlivet
The trails have a variety of surroundings, from open moore to forests. – Russell Burton / Our Media

Glenlivet is nestled in the Cairngorms National Park and hosts two cross-country-inspired purpose-built trails for beginners to advanced riders.

There is also plenty of off-piste riding should you know where to look.

What facilities are there at Glenlivet?

Based in a country estate, there is a cycle-specific visitor centre that includes a cafe serving food and drink as well as a bike hire shop.

In the surrounding area there is a whiskey distillery, should you wish to taste the local produce, and there are hiking and zip-wire activities to keep cycle-adverse family members entertained.

Parking is priced at £5 for the full day, with overnight (24 hours) parking available for £12.

How to get to Glenlivet

Glenlivet is located in the northeast of Scotland in the Cairngorms National Park. It can be accessed off the A95 and is about 1 hour away from Inverness.

What are the trails like at Glenlivet?

Riders on treeline path at Glenlivet
Glenlivet is home to a wonderful landscape. – Russell Burton / Our Media

There’s a wide variety of trails at Glenlivet that should offer interesting riding whatever your skill level.

The pump track at the trailhead is a great place to practice your skills, and the trails are made with a hardpack construction making them rideable year-round.

Green Loop

This trail is perfect for beginners looking to cut their teeth off-road riding. It follows the red and blue trails before cutting off to make for a smaller loop.

Original Blue

Staying close to the trail head, this trail offers plenty of pedalling with fast-flowing descents.

Red Loop

The Red Loop is a classic XC route, taking in a lot of elevation that is rewarded with quick singletrack descents and optional black sections.

Orange Loop

This trail offers plenty of berms, jumps and rollers for experienced riders without venturing too far from the visitor centre.

Glentress trail guide

Rider in between the trees at Glentress
Glentress has a lot to offer, whatever your ability. – Russell Burton / Our Media

Glentress is located in the mountain biking hotspot that is the Tweed Valley, and is one of the original 7stanes trail centres.

The area is well regarded for having some of the best trails in the UK, and with plenty of other riding in the valley, it makes the perfect stop on a long weekend away.

What facilities are there at Glentress?

Glentress hosts a large visitor centre encompassing a cafe and bike shop that offers spares, repairs and bike hire for your day on the trails.

There are also showers and a bike wash available so you can leave feeling clean and with a dirt-free car boot.

A treetop adventure course and plenty of hiking trails can be accessed from the centre, allowing less bike-focused members of your family to try something new.

How to get to Glentress

Glentress sits inside the Tweed Valley and is well-signposted on the A72 between Peebles and Innerleithen.

What are the trails like at Glentress?

The trails at Glentress feature a hard-packed construction that provides good traction year-round.

There’s a wide range of trails for beginners to advanced riders, categorised into green, blue, red and black trails.

A long fire road climb takes you up to the top of the more advanced trails, with stunning views of the Tweed Valley provided at the summit.

The majority of trails down to the centre are exposed, meaning wind and rain can play a part on your final descent – but the well-built trails hold up well to the elements.

Lower Green Route

This route takes in the multi-user trail within the trees of Glentress’s forest before taking in some single track on the Apple Peel section.

Blue Route

This trail is novice-friendly and takes in swooping berms on the way back down to the centre.

Black Route

The Black Route takes in large ascents and rewards you with fast-flowing singletrack with a bike park-esque final run into the car park.

Innerleithen trail guide

Female rider coming out of shoot at Innerleithen
Be careful for slippery roots on the trails. – Andrew McCandlish / Our Media

Innerleithen is in the Tweed Valley, with the trails located over the river from the town.

The area hosts international enduro racing, with the EDR (and formerly the EWS) having used the trails for events in the past.

What facilities are there at Innerleithen?

There is a small wooden trail centre at Innerleithen which is next to a large car park which costs £4 for a day.

Toilets are available, but there is no bike wash facility.

Bikes can be hired from the trail centre and there is an uplift that takes you from the bottom car park to the top of the trails from Friday to Monday.

How to get to Innerleithen

Innerleithen sits in the middle of the Tweed Valley in the Scottish Borders on the A72.

What are the trails like at Innerleithen?

Train of riders at Innerleithen
Innerleithen is well known on the enduro scene. – Andrew McCandlish / Our Media

The trails at Innerleithen are purpose-built and fully signposted crossing two fire roads on the way down.

In the wet, you need to watch out for sniping roots on your front wheel making them difficult for beginners and intermediate riders.

The tracks are well maintained, but expect enduro-level trails that require good bike control.

Innerleithen XC

This trail has the most trail centre feel to it, with hard-pack stone construction adding ample grip in the wet. Rollers, berms and small rock features keep the trail interesting.

Gold Run

With a focus on tight, rooty corners and sudden drops, this trail requires good technical riding ability.

Matador

Matador is a tight, technical downhill trail which should deliver for those looking to meet scree and root in the same run.

Laggan trail guide

Female rider coming down trail at Laggan
Laggan has plenty of natural features. – Reuben Tabner / Our Media

Laggan is based just outside the Cairngorms National Park and features over 20 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails.

There is something for every level of rider, with novice greens to an advanced level black run.

What facilities are there at Laggan?

Laggan has a well-sized trail centre with a cafe for pre- and post-ride refreshments.

There is a large car park which is priced at £4 for the whole day.

As well as having toilets in the centre, there are also coin-operated showers so you can feel refreshed after a day on the trails.

How to get to Laggan

The trails are located on the A86 between Spean Bridge and Newtonmore, just outside the town of Laggan.

What are the trails like at Laggan?

Rider coming down rocky trail at Laggan
Laggan has a host of rocky sections. – Reuben Tabner / Our Media

The trails at Laggan feature built-up singletrack with plenty of berms and rock features.

Thanks to the construction, the trails remain rideable year-round – though you may encounter some boggy off piste trails if you look hard enough.

Wolf Cub Green

This trail is good for beginners, taking in a small climb followed by a relaxed section of singletrack.

Slaba-Dabba-Doo

As the name suggests, this trail features plenty of bedrock features that are all rollable mixed in with plenty of fast-flowing berms.

Wolf of Badenoch Black

This trail offers tight and technical corners mixed in with an array of rock features including rock drops, staircases and boulder fields.

Newcastleton trail guide

Riders on berms at Newcastleton
The trails remain rideable all year round. – Ian Linton / Our Media

Newcastelton is one of the original 7stanes and is located next to the Kielder Forest, Britain’s largest forest.

There are two trails, with riding to suit a variety of riders, and if you look hard you’ll find some technical off-piste trails.

What facilities are there at Newcastleton?

There is ample free parking with picnic tables for enjoying your lunch.

In the village of Newcastleton there are public toilets and showers should you wish to rise off that post-ride grime.

The village also has many places to eat, sleep, drink and stock up for your day on the trails.

How to get to Newcastleton

Newcastleton is located on the B6357, between Bonchester Bridge and Canonbie. The trailhead itself is located in the centre of the village.

What are the trails like at Newcastleton?

Riders on berms at Newcastleton
The hard-pack construction rolls fast on drains well. – Ian Linton / Our Media

The trails at Newcastelton feature a hard-packed construction that stands up well to wet winter days.

Blue Route

This route is beginner-friendly and takes in plenty of views before heading back down the mountain on a singletrack descent.

Red Route

This trail has a fast singletrack through the forest and down to the village. Berms, jumps and drops all feature to keep your adrenaline pumping.

Tarland trail guide

Riders entering Tarland Trails
Tarland has two separate trail networks. – Russell Burton / Our Media

Tarland is based in Aberdeenshire and offers a variety of riding on it’s purpose-built trails for complete beginners to seasoned veterans.

The centre was opened in 2016, making it one of the most recent additions to Scotland’s trail centre line-up.

There are two sides to Tarland. Th original trails are in Drummy Woods and the newer trails are at Pittenderich.

What facilities are there at Tarland?

Only a car park features at the trailhead, which costs £5 for the day, but the small village of Tarland has cafes, shops and hotels which should be able to cater for most of your needs.

The village is only 10 minutes away by bike.

How to get to Tarland

Tarland is located just off the B9119 on Burnside Road on the outskirts of the Cairngorms National Park.

What are the trails like at Tarland?

Rider and dog coming down trail at Tarland
Tarland features a good mix of surfaces. – Russell Burton / Our Media

The trails are made from hard-pack construction and feature fast rolling descents with plenty of berms and jumps for those daring.

Drummy Woods

These trails are purpose-built and cater from beginners up to intermediate riders. There is also a pump track to practise your skills.

Pittenderich

This side has more technical riding, with plenty of berms, turns, jumps and drops to keep you pumped on the way back down.