Strathpeffer - Contin Forest

Near to the pretty Highland, former spa village, of Strathpeffer, Contin Forest has a 10-mile cross-country route, much of it single-track and virtually all of it lovingly crafted by local mountain bikers.

It provides a completely different experience to some of the manufactured trails in Scotland.

From the car park a long climb up the forest road includes a couple of steep single-track climbs which cut off some of the corners; then it's tight, intricate single-track virtually all the way. The trail weaves neatly through the forest, but in places it can be difficult to find - there are no signs at present, though there are plans to add some. In the meantime, it's best to speak to Steve and his staff in Square Wheels, the bike shop in Strathpeffer, which can also provide a route map and advice on Contin and some of the numerous other trails in the area, including those near Drumnadrochit (Abriachan and Balnain). 

The trails round Contin are very different. It is virtually all natural, though work has been done to introduce some rudimentary North Shore over the boggier parts of the route, with rocks and stones in other places providing the platform. There are also some memorable sections of rocky ridges to negotiate, in places quite long, with vertical drops on both sides and drop-offs at the end. The moss has largely been removed from the rock sections to aid traction – or almost all removed. One or two clumps remain, just to keep things interesting.

Work continues in Contin Forest, all of it done by local volunteers, and the development of Contin as a place to mountain bike is set to continue. It’s well worth visiting one of Scotland’s finest examples of natural single-track. As well as being a popular place for local mountain bikers to ride, cross-country races are also regularly staged in the forest.

Other Info

Routes
Ungraded but only suitable for experienced riders

Bike Shops/Hire 
Square Wheels 01997 421000

Getting There

Leave the A9 at the Tore roundabout taking the Ullapool turn-off. Follow the A835 and at Contin take the A834 to Strathpeffer.

Distance from
Inverness - 19 miles
Aberdeen - 120 miles
Edinburgh - 173 miles
Glasgow - 187 miles

Website

• www.squarewheels.biz