Balnain Bike Park

The Balnain Bike park is unlike any other mountain biking centre in Scotland. And so be warned; do not go to Balnain if you are looking for mile-upon-mile of single-track trails meandering pleasantly over hills and through forests. If, on the other hand, you are into thrills and skills, then Balnain is the place: it has been called the cycling equivalent of a skateboard park, and with very good reason.

Located at the far end of Loch Ness, five miles from Drumnadrochit, Balnain Bike Park is aimed at experienced mountain bikers. It is graded orange by Forestry Commisson Scotland - and that means that it includes some of the most technical riding in the country. This is not a place for those whose bike handling skills and expertise is not top notch; and it is not for the faint-hearted either.

Car parking for Balnain is in the main Glen Urquhart car park, with a skills development area to practice tricks and manoeuvres before heading out into the park properly. The skills development area includes limbo bars, low-level 'skinnies' (narrow beams of wood) and portable North Shore, which is suitable for the less experienced to practice on.

There is a network of twisting, bermy trails leading from the forest road down into the park. The surface is solid and smooth providing a relatively straightforward introduction ... but not for long.

Soon you start to hit the obstacles, with run-ups to forest logs - sitting about one step high - providing a test of balance and skill. These runs are ideal for building confidence for the Gap Jump and Fun Box. The latter is said to  be a first for a UK mountain biking centre. And it looks pretty daunting.

There are two platforms you can get to from ramps after building up some speed from one of the downhill runs. The sides of the Fun Box are sloping, so it can be used in the same way that a skateboarder would use a half-pipe to swing up, turn, and back down again.

The Gap Jump has a big run in and it is just as it sounds, bikers using the trail running through the gap are warned to look out for riders flying overhead!

The North Shore and see-saw are built with material mainly sourced from Balnain forest. This area actually includes some red-graded North Shore with the expert-graded trails suitably narrow and high. The see-saw rotates as you ride over it, to provide yet another test of skill and balance.

Skill and balance are really the name of the game at Balnain. In this respect much of the riding is, in essence, trails riding which is increasing in popularity among mountain bikers.

There is dedicated trails areas at Balnain, with narrow beams of wood suspended above the forest floor and skinnies as narrow as 6 centimetres, with 90 degree corners, rocks, slabs, drop offs, ramps and gaps. Balnain also boasts an award winning 'friendship seat' and patented, graffitied chill out shelters.

All the structures at Balnain are built to professional standards set by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).

Other Info

Routes
Red - Skinnies and skills area.
Orange - All trails graded orange apart from red as stated and are for technically experienced riders only. 

Bike Shops/Hire
Square Wheels 01997 421000
Highland Bicycle Co 01463 234789

Getting There

Balnain is 5 miles west of Drumnadrochit. From the main A82 (Inverness to Fort William) take the A831 at Drum.

Distance from
Drumnadrochit - 5 miles 
Inverness - 18.6 miles
Fort William - 55 miles
Glasgow - 189 miles

Website

• www.10glens.co.uk