Cycling & Mountain Biking

Scotland is internationally recognised as one of the world's best countries for cycling and mountain biking facilities. Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms is up there with the very best that Scotland has to offer. The International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA) has recently awarded Scotland the Worlds’ top mountain bike destination for the second year running. Ballater, Royal Deeside lives up to this accolade and is an ideal location from which to explore natural trails and various purpose-built centres.

From gentle cycling along flat and quiet country lanes and the Deeside Way cycle path, to arduous trails across high mountains and through dense forests, our area has something to satisfy every level of cyclist from the absolute novice to the committed enthusiast.

Our local cycling specialists are CycleHighlands, who are based in Ballater. They offer fully equipped bike hire, bike and equipment sales and repairs, guided rides and all types of help and advice to get the most out of your days on the saddle. They also organise and promote a large number of cycling events and organise corporate days for business clients. During the ski season they also offer bike and mountain bike hire in Braemar.

Their website at www.cyclehighlands.com is full of tips, suggestions and information and is the ideal place to start planning your cycling visit in our area. 

The CycleHighlands site also has links to a wide variety of local sites with detailed information on routes and tracks. In particular, the Aberdeen NEKF Hill Walking and Cycling website at www.peatandheather.com gives very full details of routes from just about every town and village in Royal Deeside and the Cairngorms.