mountain biking

No experience necessary - just a sense of adventure

Mountain Biking in Skye was recently cited by MBR magazine as having the best singletrack trail in Britain. The backdrop of incredible scenery, culture and hospitality makes this one of the best places to mountain bike in Scotland.

Trotternish Peninsula Circuit

A loop through the dramatic scenery of Skye’s northern peninsula

Difficulty: Hilly route                 Distance: 49 miles             Start/Finish: Woodbine House

Skye is a fairly hilly island and this route certainly takes in a number of these hills but none are particularly long or difficult. A shortcut can be made over the Quirang from Staffin to Uig and this takes 7 miles or 12 km off the distance, but the climb up from Staffin to over 260m is more difficult than anything on the main route.

The Quirang is characterised by screes, rock pinnacles and large boulders. Created by land slippage, this area lies in the Trotternish area of Skye, some 2 miles (3 km) north west of Staffin and 6 miles (9 km) south east of the headland of Rubha Hunish. This was the setting for Bonnie Prince Charlie's last days in Scotland.

North of Portree you discover the spectacular scenery of the Trotternish Ridge - the longest land slip in the British Isles - where the contrasts in the landscape between the east and west sides of the Trotternish Peninsula reflect those found throughout Skye. To the east, the road passes through wild country dominated by weird and wonderful rock formations such as the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock and the truly extraordinary pinnacles of the Quiraing (pronounced Coor-ang). Meanwhile to the west, around Kilmuir and Uig, you will find that the landscape resonates to the different rhythms of traditional crofting.

quiraing loop

Difficulty: Hard                             Distance: 15 miles             Start/Finish: Woodbine House 

Voted as one of the best single track mountain bike routes in the UK. Enjoy the stunning views over to the mainland Scotland across the islands of Rona and Raasay.

If you are lucky you might even see a Golden Eagle!

From our Guest House take the road up towards Idrigil Point. Take the small single track road towards the Quiraing (signposted). From the Quiraing carpark follow the single track north passing the The Prison - The Needle - The Table down to Flodigarry. Turn right and follow A855 back to the turn off towards the Quiraing.

Sligachan loop

A loop through the dramatic scenery of the Cuillins

Difficulty: Hard                 Distance: 44 miles             Start/Finish: Sligachan Hotel

This route is not for the fainthearted - spectacular, astonishing and an endurance challenge. If you are not fit this trek will be a torture but for the skilled and strong rider the Sligachan loop is one of the most spectacular mountain bike treks in the UK.

1. Sligachan Hotel: A87 towards Broadford
2. Turn off left G.R. 533284
3. Turn off right G.R. 559279
4. Signpost path G.R. 563277 throuhg Strath Mor
5. B8083 turn right past Kirkibost
6. Turn off right onto signposted track G.R. 545172
7. Turn off left G.R. 524189
8. Camasunary bothy - back to Sligachan Hotel

Clockwise route will have the hardest part (Strath Mor) first and then you can enjoy the last stretch from point 8 to Sligachan Hotel.

hebridean loop

Difficulty: Hard                 Distance: 15 miles             Start/Finish: Woodbine House

Taking the advantage of the cheap ferry fares from Uig to the Outer Hebrides. A return fare costs now just £9.80 (passenger only bikes are free)!

This route was published in the MBR magazine.

From the Ferry Port turn L and then R to wind your way up through town until you are heading east on the road so Scalpay. Climb out o f town and then drop to cross a river. Climb steeply away from this and as the road bend R, bear L onto a rough track behind an interpretation board. This drops to Lochanan Ladasdail, where the board track fades and a singletrack takes over. Continue alongside the reservoir to the end and then stay on the singletrack to climb to a high pass at the head of the glen. Keep ahead to descend into the next glen until the track splits just above the road. Bear R here and follow the rough track down to a gate and then the road.

Turn R to follow the shores of Loch Maraig and then climb steeply, still on tarmac, to another high pass. Continue past some lochans and then descend to a sharp L bend, where you should look for a track going off R, again marked with an interpretation board. Take this track and follow it around the cliffside, dropping then climbing, dropping again steeply to a remote beach.

Cross the back of the beach and follow the steep zigzagging track up the opposite hillside. This eventually relents and it's possible to ride the final section up to another high pass, marked with a cairn. Keep ahead to descend steeply on a very rough trail, all the way down to the road. Turn R onto this and follow it back past the outward trail to Tarbert.