Explore the wild trails of west and north west Scotland on two wheels and discover one of the world's great mountain biking destinations, where remote glens, dramatic sea lochs, ancient drove roads, and wild island trails stretch from Fort William and Rannoch Moor in the south to the far reaches of Sutherland and the Outer Hebrides in the north. This is Scottish mountain biking at its most spectacular and rewarding.

Suitable for riders with good fitness and preparation, this comprehensive Cicerone guidebook describes 25 graded MTB routes across west and north west Scotland, from 19.5 to 73km and taking between 2 and 8 hours to complete. Routes are graded moderate to very hard and divided across three distinct areas: the West, the North West, and the Islands, with many routes long and committing, and some requiring a willingness to hike and bike.

• Choose from 25 graded MTB routes across the West, North West, and Islands, covering Fort William, Rannoch Moor, Glen Spean, Loch Lochy, Morvern, Strathfarrar, Strathconon, Torridon, Sutherland, and the islands of Skye and Harris, with every route graded blue, red, or black for difficulty.
• Discover the highlights of west and north west Scotland MTB, including the Tour of Ben Nevis, the Three Cols of Torridon, the Tour of Ben Damph, the dramatic Cuillin traverse on Skye, the remote Harris Hills, and the wild singletrack of Loch Lochy and Strathconon.
• Navigate every route with confidence using 1:50,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles included for each route, alongside downloadable GPX files, with key data on distance on and off-road, total ascent, grade, and estimated time provided throughout.
• Prepare thoroughly for remote riding in the Scottish Highlands with comprehensive advice on equipment, planning and preparation, rider responsibility, hike and bike sections, and the nearest bike shops, accident and emergency units, and accommodation for every area.
• Access a wealth of practical information on getting there and around this vast region, with key centres including Fort William, Spean Bridge, Invergarry, Shieldaig, Kinlochewe, Dingwall, Portree on Skye, and Tarbert on Harris.
• Ride some of the most remote and committing routes in Britain, with many routes in the north west and islands covering long distances on rough terrain far from services, making good preparation and fitness essential for a safe and rewarding day in the saddle.

Take on the glens, lochs, and island trails of west and north west Scotland with confidence using this trusted Cicerone guidebook. From the shadow of Ben Nevis to the wild hills of Harris, this is the essential companion for mountain biking adventure in one of the world's great off-road destinations.

Mountain Biking in West and North West Scotland – Quick Facts

Location: Scotland – west and north west Highlands and Islands, from Fort William and Rannoch Moor to Sutherland, Skye, and Harris
Routes covered: 25 graded MTB routes (19.5–73km; 2–8 hours)
Difficulty: Graded blue (moderate) to black (very hard); good fitness and preparation essential; many routes long and committing; some hike and bike sections
Areas covered: The West (Fort William, Rannoch Moor, Glen Spean, Loch Lochy, Morvern); The North West (Strathfarrar, Strathconon, Torridon, Ullapool, Sutherland); The Islands (Skye, Harris)
Key centres: Fort William, Spean Bridge, Invergarry, Shieldaig, Kinlochewe, Dingwall, Portree (Skye), Tarbert (Harris)
Route highlights: Tour of Ben Nevis, Three Cols of Torridon, Tour of Ben Damph, Cuillin traverse on Skye, Harris Hills, Loch Lochy singletrack, Strathconon
Navigation/mapping: 1:50,000 OS mapping and elevation profiles included for every route; GPX files available to download; key data on distance, ascent, grade, and time provided for each route
Accommodation & logistics: Accommodation appendix, bike shop listings, and accident and emergency unit information provided for all areas
Best time to go: May to September preferred; routes can be wet, slippery, and challenging year-round

Author Highlight

“The routes have been chosen to give a real flavour of the variety of riding available. Many are long and committing, which require good preparation, fitness and the willingness in some cases to ‘hike and bike’. With that in mind, you will access some of the wildest and most remote parts of Scotland offering scintillating singletrack, challenging descents, incredible mountain vistas and a sense of adventure not found anywhere else.”

- Sean Benz, author of Mountain Biking in West and North West Scotland

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction
Getting there and around
Accommodation
Equipment
Food and drink
Rest and recovery
Using this guide
Planning and preparation
Rider responsibility

The West
Route 1    West Highland XC
Route 2    Ballachulish Blast
Route 3    Tour of Ben Nevis
Route 4    In the Shadow of Ben Nevis
Route 5    Cow Hill
Route 6    Fersit and Strathossian
Route 7    Ardverikie Adventure
Route 8    On the Wild Side of Loch Lochy
Route 9    Loch Lundie
Route 10    Morvern Mini
Route 11    Morvern Monster

The North West
Route 12    Orrin Reservoir
Route 13    Strathfarrar Fling
Route 14    Wild in Strathconon
Route 15    Glenuaig Grind
Route 16    Slioch Singletrack
Route 17    The Three Cols of Torridon
Route 18    Tour of Ben Damph
Route 19    Slattadale Rockride
Route 20    Long Road to Ullapool
Route 21    Northern Exposure

The Islands
Route 22    Through the Cuillin
Route 23    The Cleared Villages
Route 24    High in the Harris Hills
Route 25    The Postman’s Track

Appendices
Appendix A    Bike shops
Appendix B    Accident and emergency units
Appendix C    Gaelic language
Appendix D    Accommodation
Appendix E    Tourist information centres
 

Seasons

Best cycled May-September, Scotland's mountain biking trails can be wet, slippery and challenging year-round:

Centres

Shieldaig, Kinnlochewe, Dingwall, Portree (Skye), Tarbet (Harris), Fort William, Spean Bridge, Invergarry

Difficulty

Graded blue (moderate) to black (very hard), there are rides to suit most abilities: some may be shortened if required.

Must See

Tour of Ben Nevis, Loch Lochy, Three Cols of Torridon, Tour of Ben Damph, the Harris Hills

June 2022

Route 4 map amend

October 2020

Route 4 (In the shadow of Ben Nevis)

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