Afforded ‘global super-star status’ in 2006 for quality trails, by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA), and aided by over £5million of investment from Forestry Commission Scotland, a network of more than 20 centres and hundreds of miles of purpose-built bike trails have sprung up in woodland and on rocky mountainsides across Scotland. From the Learnie Trails north of Inverness, to the vast 7stanes network in southern Scotland, white-knuckle descents, fast and furious single-track and gentle forest ‘fire-roads’ form part of the myriad of beginner to expert trails contoured into the landscape to give bikers the ride of their lives.
If enlightened access laws have helped these tartan trails develop, it’s a two-and-half kilometre-long downhill track and lung-busting cross-country sections 8km north of the west highland town of Fort William, that have firmly placed Scottish mountain-biking in the international spotlight. Having staged an annual round of the World Cup since 2002 on the lower slopes of Aonach Mor and in Leanachan Forest, Nevis Range is now preparing for 20,000 spectators and 750 elite riders – between 3-9 September the country hosts the World Mountain Bike Championships for the first time.
Even if you can’t make the journey to watch the action unfold in the shadow of Britain’s highest peak (Ben Nevis), Dougie Pryce of Off Beat Bikes in Fort William has no doubt that hardcore and novice riders alike will relish the trail riding: ‘The entire area has excellent biking for every level of ability. Steeper natural terrain creates technically challenging single-track including terrific descents and tricky features. In Leanachan Forest and as far as Spean Bridge there are also easier trails for families and the less experienced rider.’
With over 40km of trail to explore around Nevis Range, the less confident rider can enjoy over 12km and two hours of gentle ‘green route’ terrain that follows the fire-road in Leanachan Forest with occasional climbs, and fun, non-technical descents. Really young children will enjoy the Trailquest course, solving the riddles as they pedal from marker to marker, while for all there are handy picnic stops from where to feast on the view of the surrounding mountains.
What’s more, beginners or even experts can benefit from a guided tour with No Fuss Events, based in Fort William. Fraser Copeland, from No Fuss, says: ‘we tailor the day to what people want, from mastering the basic skills to tackling the tougher routes of the Witch’s Trail and doing 115km-off road tours.’
Intermediate and advanced bikers will quickly discover why the Witch’s Trail, in Leanachan Forest, is renowned for pushing the world’s very best riders to the limit. Accessed near the base station at Nevis Range, there is more than 11km of very challenging single-track terrain, including several new sections created for the World Championships. If you crave two-hour-long, energy-sapping riding, incorporating bomb-holes, big jumps, gnarly switch-backs, exhausting climbs and super-fast technical descents, you won’t leave Fort William disappointed.
For true adrenaline junkies, your fun isn’t over yet. Ten minutes after hitching a ride on the gondola (with your bike) to 655m above sea-level, you’ll be ready for a downhill challenge with a fearsome reputation. Having crashed half-a-dozen times, your writer has the bruises to vouch for the fun and pain that await those who choose to negotiate almost two miles of bone-jarring single-track, packed with treacherous rock slabs, tight turns and jumps. Incredibly, the world’s best descend all 550 metres in just 4.5 minutes!
Getting there
From London, Easyjet and BA are among the flights into Glasgow airport. It’s then a 103 mile (three-hour, daily) bus jaunt north with Citylink (www.citylink.co.uk) to Fort William or take the train www.firstscotrail.co.uk
Staying there
The Crolinnhe guest house, (www.crolinnhe.co.uk) will appeal to those who seek style and comfort and the Smiddy Bunkhouse in Corpach (www.highland-mountain-guides.co.uk) is a terrific backpacker’s bunkhouse.
Activities
Bike hire form Off Beat Bikes, Fort William, from around £15 per day. No Fuss Events (www.nofussevents.co.uk) provide guiding, and run bespoke courses including full-day beginner sessions and 115km long off-road tours for up to six people.
More info
OS Map 41 (Fort William) provides a useful overview of the terrain while you can pick up trail maps at Nevis Range and Off Beat Bikes. The following websites also contain a mountain of useful tips including trail routes:
www.ridefortwilliam.co.uk
www.fortwilliamworldchamps.co.uk
www.nevisrange.co.uk
Images: Steve Lindridge/idealimages.co.uk
