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You could be forgiven for thinking that Scotland was designed with mountain biking in mind. Whether your interest is in countryside exploring, scenic views, spotting wildlife in its natural habitat, getting mud spattered, coasting berms, enjoying (!) lung busting challenges, cross country biking, a town and village touring holiday, there's going to be somewhere in Scotland that fits the bill. With Forestry Commission Scotland pumping resources into mountain biking development, you now have a veritable feast of trails to choose from. The ongoing EU funded 7 Stanes project should be singled out for a hearty slap on the back. These are now regarded as some of the best sites in the UK, if not Europe and offer a combination of skull-rattling downhill trails, and heart stopping North Shore. Visit the 7stanes activity centres:
Ae
Dalbeattie Forest
Glentress Forest
Glentrool
Innerleithen
Kirroughtree
Mabie Forest
Newcastleton
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Mountain Biking at 7stanes/Dalbeattie Forest. Credit Andy McCandlish. |
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Want to get started?
Scotland now has a limitless supply of really good bike shops, whether you're looking for a full suspension down hiller or a hybrid for town and country. A few of the dedicated mountain bike centres hire out full spec bikes at the trails. (see Glentress)
Where to go:
Once you're in the Highlands there's little else but wilderness to explore, which leaves your options gloriously open. If you're feeling in need of some pure adrenaline, Nevis Range (home to the Mountain Bike World Cup) has a (very) quick fix for downhill addicts. Or if you've more time to spare, the Cairngorms combine some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery in the country with enough dizzy summits and exhilarating descents to make a trip there well worth the effort.
South West Scotland
7stanes/Dalbeattie Forest >
7stanes/Mabie Forest >
7stanes/Kirroughtree >
Downhilling at 7stanes Ae
Downhilling at 7stanes Ae >
Scottish Borders
7stanes/Glentress Forest >
7stanes/Innerleithen Mountain Bike Centre >
7stanes/Newcastleton >
The Highlands
Leanachan Forest >
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South West Scotland, 7stanes/Dalbeattie Forest
only 15 mins drive from Dumfries, the Hardrock trail is a corker. 17 miles of pure fun with massive granite boulders thrown in for good measure. On this trail you¿ll ride over the rocks as well as round them. Bike hire in Dumfries.
South West Scotland, 7stanes/Mabie Forest
only two miles from Dumfries, the Endura Phoenix Trail mixes natural woodland riding with small timber trails and big berms. Very popular with families, Mabie boasts a big playpark which is a big hit with the kids. Back to the biking though and expert riders will love `The Dark Side¿, a very scary collection of timber trails that roll on forever.
South West Scotland, 7stanes/Kirroughtree
There are four trails to choose from in the forest. Two (blue and green routes) are easier trails aimed at novices, children and families whilst the red and black trails are best tackled by experienced mountain bikers. Singletrack magazine describe this mountain biking in Kirroughtree as `more-fun-than-you¿ve-rightfully earned¿ when the trails first opened in June 2004.
Downhilling at 7stanes Ae, Downhilling at 7stanes Ae
Whilst the 7stanes XC course is still in full construction mode at Ae, the competition standard DH course is open and ready to send you plummeting earthwards ¿ sub 3 minutes for good ridersComplete with a lift to the top from `Ae-Up¿ Lift Service, the downhill course at Ae is part of the National Points series and will keep the full-bounce brigade satisfied all day long. The course starts with a steep, rocky descent leading to an off-camber contouring descent where even the most competent riders will struggle to find grip! You¿re then thrown into a ball-bearing gully that spits you out into some tight, twisty, well-rutted singletrack, followed by a big rock garden and a sublime jump over a burn (stream for those south of the border!). A right-hand, then a left-hand berm hurl you over the tabletop and into the stump garden that will ricochet you about like a pin-ball. Next come the triples, then the log drop with several lines to land you back onto the fire road. And that¿s the first section! From the fire road there are two lines to choose from: on the right you can tackle the giant rock garden or to the left you can fly down some sweet traditional singletrack. Both lines will take you to a set of doubles before the route splits again. You can take the fast left-hand line and attempt to clear the 22ft Coffin jump, or you can choose to go right following some tight, technical singletrack. The routes then converge onto a double log drop and the course finishes spectacularly with a series of tight berms, jumps and step-downs and culminates with the infamous 20ft field drop. Possibly the most thrilling three minutes of your life! To make the most of your day at Ae you can get a lift to the top on the following weekends: October ¿ 2/3 and 30/31
November ¿ 13/14 and 27/28
December ¿ 11/12. Contact Tally at `Ae-Up¿ Lift Service on 07709144299 or email him at dtallontire@aol.com. £20 gets you up to 10 runs a day and pre-booking is essential.
Scottish Borders, 7stanes/Glentress Forest
already Scotland¿s number one venue and 40 mins drive from Edinburgh. More trails than you can shake a stick at including the Helly Hansen V-Trail which was voted best in the UK. Glentress is great for beginners and experts and don¿t forget there¿s a top bike shop and hire and yummy café there too.
Scottish Borders, 7stanes/Innerleithen Mountain Bike Centre.
Only 5 mins drive from Glentress. If you like speed and thrills by the dozen then you have to try the Red Bull Project Downhill trails. You can book an uplift service to the top of the hill and hire proper downhill bikes and safety gear locally. To ride these trails you must be a member of the Innerleithen Riders Mountain Bike Club or buy a day¿s permit. Alternatively, ride the Traquair XC trail which starts and finishes at the Red Bull Project Downhill site. 12 miles of sheer fun with a killer climb at the start and a huge roller coaster of a ride at the finish.
Scottish Borders, 7stanes/Newcastleton
Newcastleton is a great biking centre for families, novices and those who enjoy a more testing time on two wheels.
The centre has a short red route, two blue routes and a skills loop to learn some of the basics. There's also a black graded ridge just for experts. Only a stone¿s throw from the border with England, Newcastleton is easily accessible from the A7 and only 1 hour¿s drive from Glentress and Innerleithen.
The Highlands, Leanachan Forest
the venue of the World Cup Mountain Bike Championships no less! Take the gondola to the top of the mountain and scream down a course which will have your eyes on stalks. If this seems a bit daring then the Witch¿s Trail offers technical cross-country riding of a lung busting nature. Leanachan also boasts family trails for those who want to enjoy the scenery at slower speeds. Bike hire is available in Fort William. Come and watch the 2004 championships in June ¿ the best biking you¿ll ever see.
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7stanes