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.