WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT INVERNESS AND LOCH NESS

The Loch Ness 360 is an 80 mile / 129.5km circular route with over 3000m of climbing around Loch Ness. It trails along its each side of the loch, stretching between Inverness and Fort Augustus.

The south side is generally more remote and rugged, with some steeper and rougher terrain, best experienced on a mountain bike, or a gravel bike if you are up for a challenge. The north side follows generally easier and more established routes of the Great Glen Way (a 79 mile route between Fort William and Inverness) and the Caledonian Way (a 235 mile route between Campbeltown and Inverness).

The Loch Ness 360 route links communities around the Loch with generally off road routes, giving cyclists opportunities to tackle the route as a long single day, or break it up into more manageable sections, allowing time to explore the area and its communities.

Abriachan is a community forest just outside Inverness. The very steep road leading to the forest means the trails start high on the hill above Loch Ness, allowing great views of the surrounding landscape. The trails were revamped in 2023, and whilst significantly improved, retain their own slightly homemade character, which is quite informal feeling.

The trails are very family friendly, with a main flowing 5km blue route, with an excellent 2.6km red option. Included in the trails is a great jumpline, perfect for progressing skills. At the centre their is also a dirt pumptrack which is ideal for getting more riding in without tired legs needing to pedal back up hill!

Learnie Redrock trails, on the Black Isle are great for a range of riders, including families. The trails allow progression up from beginners to more advanced riders, and there is a nice friendly atmosphere. The gentle climbs through the pines makes the way up enjoyable, and the descents are generally flowing and fun. The onsite picnic area is conveniently situated next to a set of jumps, so even if you need to take a break you can still have fun watching the rest of your group sessioning the jumps.

Explore a little further off the formal trails and you will find a great wee network of trails built by the Black Isle Trail Association which compliment the main trails well, giving opportunities for riders to progress onto more natural terrain.

The Loch Ness area has an active mountain biking community, and some great local trails near to communities, with some excellent trails that have produced World class mountain bikers. From steep and technical, to flowing and mellow their is something to satisfy most mountain bikers!

Many of these trails are built and maintained by volunteer trail associations, so there are opportunities to contribute by helping out at dig days or supporting with funding.

Check out section below - 'Who is looking after your trails?'