Trails of the Strath: Our Favourite Aviemore area MTB Trails
Blimey we feel like some of the luckiest people in the world, to live, work and ride in the Cairngorms National Park.
Why? Because the Aviemore area MTB trails are full of different terrain for riding our bikes on, from ribbons of flowy single track to steep, gnarly, rooty, goodness. Combined with stunning views whether you’re hidden away in the trees or on the open mountain sides. The landscape constantly provides different colours to enjoy with the passing of the seasons and the ever-changing weather as it moves through the Strath.
It is also the enthusiastic community of riders, outdoor enthusiasts, accommodation & cafe owners & their employees, shop workers, as well as our visitors that make this area particularly special. When we go riding, we’re guaranteed to be passing other people with big smiles on their faces who are also realising we’re all super privileged to be in this area and who are often happy to stop for a wee chat about the amazing surroundings.
Here at Glenmore Lodge we offer skills coaching to help riders develop their abilities and build their confidence. We’re in the heart of all the above, with many people from the local community in our workplace, trails on our site and trails that leave from the doorstep.
As a member of the senior instructional team at Glenmore Lodge I decided to do a quiz over coffee whilst I was in the office with a few other staff who ride bikes. And I asked them 2 very simple questions about their favourite trails in the Cairngorms.
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What is your favourite trail on a dry dusty day & why?
‘Cliff Top Trail’ – Located in the Inchriach Forest, close to Aviemore.
It is in a slightly obscure location with a short but arduous ascent therefore generally is very quiet, and it has a bit of everything, and as the trail name suggests there are severe consequence if those wheels do not stay on trail, which adds an extra level of adrenaline. It’s already a varied trail with short lived techy sections leading into beautiful flow in the lower sections.
However this trail is no longer in use due to trees across the lower part of the trail, but good to reminisce about, maybe it will be resurrected by our local Badenoch and Strathspey Trail Association at some point, especially given that this suggestion was by Andy who is a founder of the association in the area!
– Andy Singh (Facilities Staff)
Geal-charn Mor (824m), by Aviemore
Got to get high, take the opportunity when you can if the weather and ground are dry! A good workout on the Aviemore area MTB trails is to take the Burma Road and pedal out onto Geal-Charn Mor (824m) a hill that’s incredibly local from the town, but always quiet as it sits on the north-west side of the A9 by Aviemore. It therefore gives a giant vista across to the main Cairngorm massif. Plus, the riding is very pleasant.
– Jon Jones (Senior Instructor)
‘Ridge Line Trail’ – Located on the west side of Glen Feshie, leading off the summit of Creag Dhubh (445m)
This trail has everything that an open-minded rider may enjoy, with sections that could be described as trials-y and slow pace, or XC (cross country), or full enduro if the challenge is set to take it top to bottom with no stops. All your skills are required to make this trail feel smooth and fast, from track stands to good gear selection, and the skills required to get your bike to float over off camber roots at speed.
– Emma Holgate (Senior Instructor)
Laggan ‘Brown Side’
This is what the opposite side of the road to Laggan Wolftrax trail centre is known as to locals or those who have visited before. It is a hillside with steep hand cut trails that when dry are very grippy and make me feel like a hero on my bike! But the slightest bit of dampness and they are terrifying!
– James McDonnell (Bookings Administrator)
Favourite trail on a soggy wet day?
“Easy to answer – Laggan Wolftrax” – Trail Centre. It has everything and the trails stay grippy in the wet and take the impact of our tyres over the terrain, meaning no major environmental impact when other trails are too soft to be ridden on very wet days. Plus it has an ace cafe, very tasty cakes with super friendly staff.
– Andy Singh (Facilities Staff)
A loop from Aviemore taking in multi-use tracks up towards Glenmore Lodge that are fast on a bike, then pass the Green Lochan and take in the Ryvoan Pass, round to Nethy Bridge, and back via the Speyside Way. This is all about the journey and the incredible cafes that you pass on the route!
– Jon Jones
A fix of slippy root action is often on the agenda when it’s wet, so there are trails at High Burnside in the woods to the north west of Aviemore that are still suited to being ridden in the wet, however being sensitive and selective to minimise impact is required. A trail like T.H.R or Side Pipe hone the loose, light style of riding that is required to stay on the bike in slippery conditions. These trails also remind us of how much fun it is to let the rear wheel snake around behind you as you keep self-talking yourself to keep weight either central or slightly over the front wheel to maintain control of direction & maximise its grip!
– Emma Holgate
Once you get us chatting about trails we cannot shut up, we ooze enthusiasm about our local trails, we have so much knowledge between us and love to share this with one another and others, this is why we work where we do. We also thrive in mixing it all up, the linking of great trails to produce full days out on the bike that are packed with interest, variation, and great riding.
Trail Riding at Glenmore Lodge
From 2 day trail riding skills courses, to bikepacking adventures, to enduro training. Build your confidence and technical skills with personalised coaching from our experienced Instructors, while riding the amazing Aviemore area MTB trails on offer right from our front door.
Or, join us in September this year for our Ride Wild Festival: two days of having a blast on the stunning natural single track that surrounds Glenmore Lodge. Find out more about it HERE
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