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Activities2026-03-2512 min

Mountain Biking in Glen Coe: Trails for Every Level

Glen Coe is famous for its walking and climbing, but the mountain biking here is quietly world-class. Between the Glencoe Mountain bike park, the network of forest tracks, and some of the most dramatic trail riding in Scotland, there's enough to keep riders of every ability grinning for days.

Here's the complete guide.

Glencoe Mountain Bike Park

Glencoe Mountain Resort — better known for skiing in winter — runs a purpose-built bike park from April to October. A chairlift carries you and your bike to the top, and gravity does the rest.

### The Trails

**Witch Trail (Red, 2.8 km)** The headline act. A hand-built natural trail that drops 350 metres through ancient birchwood, over rock slabs, through tight switchbacks, and across exposed moorland. Fast, flowing, and technically demanding without being terrifying. Rated red, but strong intermediate riders will love it. The top section has proper exposure — look up, not down.

**Dragon Lair (Black, 2.5 km)** The serious one. Step-downs, rock gardens, gap jumps, and sections that'll test your nerve as much as your skill. Built by the same trail crew as Fort William's World Cup course and it shows. Only for experienced riders who are comfortable committing to features at speed.

**Fly Paper (Orange/Blue, 1.2 km)** A newer flow trail that's more accessible than the natural trails. Bermed corners, table-top jumps, and smooth singletrack. Ideal for intermediate riders building confidence or experts warming up. The name comes from the black ski run above, but the bike trail is much friendlier.

### Practical Info

  • • **Season**: Generally April–October, weather dependent
  • • **Uplift**: Chairlift operates specific days — check the Glencoe Mountain website for the latest schedule
  • • **Bike hire**: Available at the resort. Full-suspension trail bikes and DH rigs
  • • **Day pass**: Around £30 for unlimited uplifts
  • • **Facilities**: Café at the base, bike wash, basic workshop tools

Forest and Trail Rides

If bike parks aren't your thing — or you want something you can pedal yourself — the area has superb cross-country riding.

### Glencoe Lochan Forest Trails (Green/Blue, 5–10 km loops)

The forest paths around Glencoe Lochan make a perfect introduction to off-road riding in the area. Mostly flat, well-surfaced fire roads and singletrack through beautiful mixed woodland. The lochan itself is stunning, and the trails link up into loops of various lengths. Families with children will love this.

### Loch Leven Circuit (Blue, 18 km)

A superb half-day ride following tracks and minor roads around the shore of Loch Leven from Glencoe village to Kinlochleven and back via the north shore. Mostly flat with a few short climbs. The views across the loch to the Mamores are spectacular, and you can stop in Kinlochleven for lunch at the Ice Factor or one of the village cafés. The section between North Ballachulish and Kinlochleven uses the old military road.

### West Highland Way Sections (Blue–Red, variable)

The West Highland Way passes through Glen Coe, and several sections make excellent mountain bike rides. The stretch from Kingshouse Hotel over the Devil's Staircase to Kinlochleven is a classic — rough, remote, and rewarding. Note: be courteous to walkers. The WHW is primarily a walking trail and cyclists should yield to pedestrians.

### Glen Etive Road (Green, 24 km return)

The single-track road down Glen Etive (yes, the Skyfall road) makes a wonderful easy ride on a road bike or hybrid. Almost no traffic, barely any climbing, and the scenery is extraordinary. The road dead-ends at Loch Etive, so you'll ride back the same way. Wild swimming stops along the River Etive make this a perfect summer day out.

Kinlochleven and the Surrounding Area

### The Ciaran Path (Red, 12 km)

A cracking old stalker's path that runs from Kinlochleven up to Loch Eilde Mòr and back. Steep in places, technically interesting, and the views from the top over the Blackwater Reservoir are immense. A proper mountain bike ride that earns its views.

### Inchree Trails (Blue–Red, various)

Just north of Glencoe village, the forest around Inchree has an informal network of trails that local riders have been using for years. Nothing waymarked, but follow the obvious lines through the trees for some fun, rooty singletrack. The waterfall walk nearby is worth combining into a longer ride.

Fort William: The Big Leagues

Twenty minutes up the road, Fort William is home to the Nevis Range Mountain Bike Trails — including the UCI Downhill World Cup course. If you've seen the Red Bull Hardline videos, this is where it happens.

### Nevis Range Trails

  • • **Witch's Trails (Blue–Red)**: A network of cross-country trails in the forest, excellent for all-day riding
  • • **World Cup DH (Black/Pro)**: The legendary Fort William downhill course. Open to the public on uplift days. Genuinely challenging — this is elite-level terrain
  • • **Gondola uplift**: Takes you to 650 metres for long descents through the forest

### Leanachan Forest (Blue, 25+ km)

A vast network of forest trails perfect for long cross-country rides. Well-maintained, well-signposted, and rideable year-round. The 25 km Grand Loop is a superb day ride with views of Ben Nevis, Aonach Mòr, and the Grey Corries.

Essential Kit and Tips

  • • **Helmet**: Non-negotiable. Full-face for bike park, trail lid for XC
  • • **Waterproof**: This is the West Highlands. A packable jacket lives in your pack always
  • • **Midges**: May–September, especially in still forest conditions. Midge nets and Smidge repellent are essential
  • • **Tyres**: Conditions are often wet and rooty. Run proper mud tyres — semi-slicks will have you on the ground in minutes
  • • **Spares**: Carry a spare tube, pump, multi-tool, and chain link. Mobile signal is patchy to non-existent on many trails
  • • **Bike wash**: Mud here is the sticky, peaty Highland kind that gets everywhere. Clean your drivetrain after every ride

Where to Hire Bikes

  • • **Glencoe Mountain Resort**: Full-suspension trail and DH bikes for the bike park
  • • **Off Beat Bikes, Fort William**: Road, gravel, and mountain bikes. Excellent service and local knowledge
  • • **Nevis Cycles, Fort William**: Long-established shop with hire fleet. Repairs and servicing too

When to Ride

The season runs roughly April to October, though the forest trails are rideable year-round if you don't mind mud. May–June offers the best combination of long days, reasonable weather, and (relative) absence of midges. September is glorious — autumn colours, quiet trails, and crisp air. Avoid July–August if you hate midges and crowds.

The Witch Trail at sunset, with the light catching the birch trees and the glen laid out below you, is one of those rides you'll remember forever. Glen Coe does that to you.

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