6 Incredible Bike Parks and Trail Centres in Scotland

Situated in the south-east of Glasgow, Cathkin Braes is home to 9 km of trails Take on its Red Circuit route with lots of tables, doubles and gaps in store to hone your skills. You can break the route down into sections or do full loops right down the hill. There are also plenty of blue and green trails aimed at beginner and intermediate riders.

The park’s star attraction is the Vesolutions pump track – one of the largest in the UK. Suitable for riders of all wheel types, it’s part of the wider mountain bike trail centre, that includes competition MTB cross country trails, skills trails and a jump track.

Cathkin Braes is free to use and open all-year round.

This year, Glasgow will host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships - find out more about the event in August and buy tickets.

Laggan Wolftrax trails range from an easy-going green route for a shorter and flatter ride to white-knuckle red, black and orange routes which are more technical. Test yourself with the skills area at the trailhead so you know what to expect out in the forest.

Pop into The Bike Bothy Laggan for all your cycling needs, open on weekends. They’ll be able to offer service and repairs, bike hire and essential accessories for your ride.

There is also a café, toilets and shower facilities to freshen up afterwards.

Experienced riders can take on the 7 km red graded bike trail or the black route has lots of drops and chutes for a hair-raising bike ride. You’ll also find a skills area which is perfect for improving your mountain bike skills.

For families, there are a variety of green cycling trails that are ideal for a leisurely cycle along scenic woodland and countryside. The kids can let off steam at the adventure playground, say hello to the neighbourhood deer and during the summer months, enjoy a delicious ice cream from the visiting ice cream van.

Facilities include free parking, toilets and a café serving lots of tasty snacks and bites to eat.

At Comrie Croft you’ll find over 16k m of pump, berms and rollers along its graded blue, red and black trails. Each grade has a series of interlinking loops which you can do all at once or pick your favourite.

Comrie Croft Bikes are on hand to help with any burning trail questions, bike repairs and have a range of bikes available to hire which include hardtail bikes, full suspension, e-bikes and much more.

Facilities include hot showers (small fee required), a bike cleaning station and toilets. There is also a small skate park just on the outskirts.

Intermediate riders can take on the red-graded trails along single-track and forest roads but there are shorter routes available if you’re looking for something easier.

The Pipe Dream is an ideal warm up before ascending to Eas Dubh, a single-track route which breaks up into a gentle climb. The fast exit into the quarry through Stoney Broke will set you up for the climb to Eas Dubh.

Experienced riders can put themselves through their paces on the Eas Dubh descent and sweeping Cannonball Run. There is also an orange-graded bike park packed with lots of features including berms, jumps, stone drop-offs and table-tops.

Highland Wildcat Trails are designed for everyone by Pete Laing who built the first trails at Glentress. Intermediate riders can reach the summit of ‘the Ben’ from the blue trail which has a double track leading off at the crossroads in the forest, while experienced riders can seek more of a thrill along the red and black single-track routes. The riding is generally fast-paced and undulating to keep you on your toes but make sure not to go too fast as hikers and runners regularly use these trails. Families who wish to take it easy and enjoy a cycle along the lush forests can follow Pict’s Path.