Cairngorms

The Cairngorms area has some truly classic Scottish trails - singletrack trails weaving their way through beautiful rolling forests and out into the rocky lower slopes of the Cairngorm mountains.

The landscape constantly changes, and inspiring views are guaranteed around every corner, whether the mountain panorama, a tranquil loch, or a passing glimpse into the Scots pines with the forest floor laden with blaeberries. The Badenoch and Strathspey area around Aviemore has a great network of paths that can be linked to make great routes.

Laggan is one of Scotland’s favourite trail centres. It offers great trails for families and less experienced riders with the green route, and the fun berms and easy jumps of the Orange. The Red is a fast and flowing, but rocky and technical confidence builder. The black route is an absolute classic, blurring the boundaries between technical cross country and enduro.

With a great café on-site and a bike shop, its location halfway between Aviemore and Fort William makes it a great way of linking the popular outdoor towns for mountain bikers.

Glenlivet’s location at the northern edge of the national park gives it a different feel – it is more remote, and the trails pass over the tops of the lower more rolling hills, but hidden in the forest are some delights. Glenlivet also has some great cross-country trails that allow a longer ride than many trail centres.

The trails have recently been evolving, with the new jump line being a 1km roller coaster of berms and jumps that can also be ridden and immensely enjoyed by less able riders while allowing the progression needed to work towards the much bigger jumps lower down.

Glenlivet has plans to keep evolving, with hand-built technical trails, an accessible blue mini jump line and more!

Glenlivet’s superbcafé is surrounded by great wee skills trails to keep kids lapping while parents take time to enjoy lunch, making this a great place for an active family day out.

The vast network of easier tracks and trails makes the area great for longer gravel rides between communities and out into the wider landscape. Add in some great cafes and the Cairngorms could be the perfect place to get the miles in through the inspiring landscape around the Cairngorm mountains.

The Cairngorms is well set up for families with attractions like Landmark and Kincraig wildlife park. The accessible routes in the area make family cycles a great way to spend an active day out. Hire a bike from one of the great bike shops in the area and explore the area, stopping for a break at cafes and viewpoints along the way. Popular routes include the Old Logging way to Glenmore and the Speyside Way that has some good riding for families between Kingussie Aviemore and Boat of Garten, on easy well maintained and relatively flat trails.

For good simple fun, the village of Boat of Garten has an amazing new Pumptrack that is well worth a visit or linking into a ride along the Speyside Way from Aviemore. For a step up to singletrack, trails Annagach Woods in Grantown in Spey has a series of short fun trails from green to red grade.

There really is something for every rider in the Cairngorms National park and we hope you will be inspired to visit, creature your own adventures, make your own memories and return year on year to explore further.

For further details of how to plan your Cairngorm break, including trail maps, accommodation help, travel to the area, guiding and coaching companies, and even a few details on local produce and distilleries, check out our Ride Guide!

Remember if you book through our link with Expedia, 5% of the total cost of your holiday goes back to maintaining the trail network in the area.