In recent years, UK cycling has become popular. Whether it’s due to the desire for a healthier way to travel, an activity the whole family can enjoy, or British cyclists’ success in the Olympic Velodrome and Tour de France—6 Brits have worn the yellow jersey in the past 7 years—it seems to be here to stay.
Sport England reported last month that around 10 million individuals pedal at least twice a month, with 2/3 cycling for pleasure or sport rather than travel.
Biking is eco-friendly, entertaining, and good exercise for all ages and abilities. For more adventurous cyclists, mountain biking may be best. Mountain biking is becoming a national favorite for adrenaline seekers due to its beautiful surroundings, demanding routes, and sense of accomplishment. Choose an easy trail (maybe one with a public house at the end?) if you’re with family or just feeling relaxed, and you could have a great day.
Based on Forestry Commission route grading, here are our top 15 mountain bike routes in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Sport newbies’ guide:
- Green trails are easy for inexperienced bikers or trailer-towing families.
- Blue trails are moderate for off-road riders with basic competence and good fitness. Hybrids work well here.
- Red trails require good mountain bikes and fit, experienced riders because you’ll need to hike a bike.
- Black trails are severe! Specialist mountain bikes are required for these terrifying, if not slightly insane (my opinion) trails. Only expert mountain bikers should apply.
Top 5 England mountain bike trails
1. THE DARK PEAK, THE PEAK DISTRICT
The 70km Dark Peak circuit in the northern Peak District is known for its gritstone, rocky riding routes, which are thrilling but tricky. This peak district region spans Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Greater Manchester, offering ample landscapes and all grades of routes. This area has almost two dozen routes, including a great 17.5-mile route from Hayfield to Jacob’s Ladder that crosses Mam Tor. On a clear day, the views from here are stunning, and there are several wonderful pubs at the bottom, which you may need to skip since you’re only halfway around.
2. NAN BIELD PASS, THE LAKE DISTRICT
The Lake District is a popular UK mountain biking destination, and it’s easy to understand why. In July 2017, this stunning British landscape became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, joining the Grand Canyon and Stonehenge. Due to its amazing descent across Kentmere Common, the Nan Bield Pass is one of the top mountain biking tracks.
From Staveley in Cumbria, riders climb 35km through unspoiled countryside and waterfalls to the notorious pass. The track starts innocently, but the second half requires technical skill and stamina even for veteran cyclists. Thankfully, other Lake District areas are easier to cycle and have the same lovely views.
3. CANNOCK CHASE, MIDLANDS
Cannock Chase, home to the renowned red routes, 7-mile Follow the Dog, and 14-mile Monkey trails, was chosen for the Midlands’ first purpose-built rides. Chase Trails, a weekly volunteer crew that maintains the trails, is unique. If you’re visiting without a bike, Cannock Chase Cycle Centre rents great gear for all rides except Stile Cop downhill.
Cannock Chase, a 1958 Outstanding Natural Beauty, is ideal for biking. Rare fauna and wild deer live in the English heathland and wood pasture. Bike trails wind through the pine forest on beautiful, flowing tracks that are kept open whenever feasible, even during forestry operations. The Chase also features easier routes for families, novice cyclists, and hybrid riders.
4. DALBY FOREST, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Dalby Forest in South Yorkshire has great cycling tracks for all levels. There are paths for everyone, from 2–6 mile green routes for younger children to adventurous red routes with abrupt descents and difficult terrain. Dalby Forest’s black-rated World Cup Course begins at Adderstone Field, making it unique. For those who want to be young Bradley Wiggins, the 6.5km circuit has hard hills and difficult descents. MBR has valuable Dalby Forest mountain bike trail information.
5. ULLSWATER, THE LAKE DISTRICT
Ullswater is the second-largest lake in the Lake District and one of the UK’s most magnificent natural beauties. The terrain is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, with historic woodland and undulating hills. Try the 9-mile Patterdale cycling trail if you want a challenge without technicality.
This round path passes Birk, Sleet, and Place Fells and follows the lake’s picturesque edge. Book a long weekend in summer and, if you’re daring, swim in the lake after a morning on the mountain bike for the greatest experience! A 60-meter hike-a-bike gets you to the summit but beware. Discover Eden has fantastic resources for learning about the area.
Top 5 Welsh Mountain Bike Trails
1. LLANBERIS TRAIL, SNOWDONIA
Llanberis, a small settlement on Lake Llyn Padarn in northwest Wales, is the start of the Llanberis Trail, which takes cyclists up Mount Snowdon, Wales’s highest peak. This 15-km one-way path begins in the town and passes stunning mountain scenery. You must return down a different road, according to this description. This trail is for experienced riders who want to improve.
A high slope and rough, difficult terrain await riders. Don’t let that deter you—the view from the summit is stunning (weather permitting, this is Wales!)—and the hugely popular Penceunant Isaf cafe (or Pen-y-Ceunant Isaf Tea House) is rated number one on TravellerGoals out of dozens of local eating options, which maybe isn’t surprising given the rave reviews received about the owner Stefan!
2. AFAN FOREST PARK, SOUTH WALES
Afan Forest Park, one of Red Bull’s top 10 mountain biking places in Wales, has 6 amazing trails for cyclists of all levels and ages, from the Rookie routes to the 44 km W2 trail. For those who like drinks after a ride, the woodland is 40 minutes from Swansea on the south coast. Over 100km of mountain bike trails, exposed single-track roads carved from the historic hillside, and a 2013 bike park allow younger family members to enjoy berms and jumps in a safer environment than on a trail.
3. ELAN VALLEY LOOP, CENTRAL WALES
With 180 square km of countryside and open water, the Elan Valley (shown above) is commonly called the ‘Welsh Lake District’ and is situated west of Rhayader in central Wales. The valley’s unique mix of natural open space, scenic reservoirs, Victorian railways, and old miners’ trails makes it one of the nation’s top mountain biking destinations.
For those who wish to enjoy the scenery, the 11-mile Elan Valley loop is family-friendly and perfect for beginners. The Elan Valley book has information on all local trails, from blue to a few interesting black routes.
4. BRECON BEACONS, SOUTH WALES
UK mountain cyclists frequent the Brecon Beacons, Geraint Thomas’ former training location. This renowned and gorgeous national park contains over a dozen bicycle trails, all conserved owing to government and private financing. All cyclists, from beginners to experts, will enjoy a trip through gorgeous Welsh scenery.
The 52km Grwyne Fawr Reservoir track, the park’s only black route, leads to Castell Dinas’ medieval ruins and rises to 700m for stunning vistas. If you dare, ride it backward from the route linked!
5. PENMACHNO, SNOWDONIA
Penmachno, a community in North Wales’ Machno Valley, is known for its mountain biking. This beautiful location is a mountain biker’s dream, located near Snowdonia but still relatively unspoiled by tourism. Two red-rated trails, the Dolen Machno (19 km) and the Dolen Eryri (11 km), take 1–3 hours to complete. Riders can finish these routes separately or in a 30 km loop.
TOP 5 SCOTLAND MOUNTAIN Bike Trails
1. KINLOCHLEVEN CIARAN PATH, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Kinlochleven, 7 miles east of Glencoe, has long attracted sports and explorers. The Mamores mountains frame Loch Leven from this small Scottish village in the foothills. Visitor cyclists should expect technical challenges on challenging terrain and super-steep descents.
Try the 13.3-mile Ciaran Path, 2009 Mountain Bike Rider Trail of the Year. The trail has beautiful scenery, especially in summer, but others say it’s a horrible ride, so beware! The moderate-grade 20-mile Loch Leven route passes several restaurants and coffee shops and is easier. After your ride, visit Ice Factor, the National Ice Climbing Centre, which has the world’s largest indoor ice climbing wall!
2. THE ISLE OF SKYE ROUTE, INNER HEBRIDES
The Isle of Skye has 639 square miles of stunning open space, from hilly to magical forest glens, making it one of the greatest places to ride in the UK without crowds. With Scotland’s open access regulations, you may ride what you see! If you’re unfamiliar with this part of Scotland, you may want to acquire a guide, as mentioned in this post, as being trapped miles from anything when your energy runs out is perilous. Facilities are scarce here!
The 18km Boreraig circle, with some hike-a-bike, is a good start to mountain biking on the island. This single-track trail winds through breathtaking countryside and descends into Boreraig, a ghost town, which locals say is haunted. If you visit, I dare you not to get the Skye Boat in your head like I did!
3. NEVIS RANGE, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
In Fort William’s Nevis Range, intense winter sports include the UK’s only mountain gondola. Since 2002, the UCI Downhill World Cup has made the location famous among mountain bikers. The Witch’s routes, a network of mountain biking routes in the Grampians, are ideal for all abilities and feature some magnificent downhill tracks for adrenaline seekers.
With showers, a bike wash, and various restaurants and bars, Nevis Range can accommodate families and travelers from throughout the country. In April–October, you can rent a bike from Nevis Cycles, which has a year-round shop in Inverlochy.
4. NEWCASTLETON, SCOTTISH/ENGLISH BORDER
Newcastleton, near the English border, is one of Scotland’s 7Stanes’ 7 award-winning mountain biking centers in the south, plus some great downhill trails at Innerleithen, where you can book the Adrenalin Uplift bus service to get you and your bike back up the hill for maximum fun!
Gordon Young’s team designed the 7Stanes, named after Scottish stone, and one is in each center. Newcastleton’s riding routes are shorter than their sisters, making it ideal for beginners. Cyclists can enjoy boardwalk crossings and the Liddel Valley on the blue single-track through the forest. Family-friendly 6-mile route, followed by a 14.5-mile red route for those who want to challenge their skills!
5. TORRIDON, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS
Finally, this may be the perfect distant setting for a hard cycling holiday. Torridon is a small town on Loch Torridon in Scotland’s northwest highlands. One of eight famous paths, the 28.7-mile Torridon Loop runs from 13.7 to 36.3 miles (certainly not called ‘The Monster’ for nothing!). Known for its spectacular open terrain and three formidable mountain ranges, Liathach, Beinn Eighe, and Beinn Alligin, the area feels remote.
Mountain bikers searching for a fun and hard trip without too many other riders will love the region. This is a terrific Torridon Loop ride report with great images! Cyclists may expect a fast single-track with stunning vistas on Annat Descent, which starts gradually along the loch. Before your downhill finish, prepare for some very hard hills. There’s even a good tavern for a well-deserved drink, but make sure it’s open!
We hope our suggestions have inspired a vacation, and we’d love to hear about it. Reading about these amazing sites makes us want to ride our bikes!
