Why visit Aberdeenshire for mountain biking?
18 March 2022
Aberdeenshire has it all, and I promise, I’m not biased at all by living here. Okay maybe a little, but we really do. From majestic mountains to the sparkling sea, from remote glens to vast forests. There’s riding here for all styles and all abilities.
Perhaps you’re a little crazy and want to scare yourself on technical trails? Scolty, near Banchory has a rabbit warren of terrifying trails with natural features to challenge even the best rider. Would the famous slabs of Squamish thrill you? Then Scolty is your place to go. Slabs, north shore, rock gardens, slippy roots to make you squeal with laughter.
Or maybe you’re used to riding road and gravel tracks and tempted to seek the delights singletrack has to offer? Whenever you visit Cambus O’ May, it's like the Gods are looking out for you. A red carpet of pine needles line your way between the purpling heather as the sun, golden, streams through the Caledonian pines. With views to Loch Kinord and the regal Lochnagar, every corner offers a sightseeing wonder.
Real freedom comes through the painful pleasure of hike a bike up Aberdeenshire’s mountains. From the easily accessible Mount Keen to the reward of summiting Ben Macdui, the UK’s second highest mountain by bike, or the thrill of descending on of the UK’s longest descents from Beinn a’ Bhuird and washing off the dust in the Quioch water below. There’s nothing quite like the mountains to make you feel alive.
The estate tracks of Aberdeenshire are a puzzle waiting to be solved. There are miles and miles of remote tracks through vast moorland with breath-taking views, traversing alongside tumbling rivers, and darting through magical pine forests. These tracks are begging you to explore, to lose yourself and to find yourself.
Finish off the day with a river dip by Queen Victoria’s favourite picnic spots, or with a dram of royal whisky or Deeside gin to warm you up. Wherever you are, there’s always a mountain bike friendly café or pub ready to invite you in.
Aberdeenshire has it all.
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