10 Great Cycle Routes Near Fort William

The UK's premier mountain bike trail centre, built into Leanachan Forest at the foot of Aonach Mòr. This is where the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup have been held starting in 2002. The only World Cup venue in Britain and the trails that were purpose-built for the 2007 World Championships are open to everyone. The Lower Forest is the main pedal-access zone and it's open all year round. There are four blue-graded trails for intermediates. Voodoo, Blue Adder, Broomstick Blue, and the Blue Uphill Access all flowing singletrack through the forest with berms, rollers, and enough variety to keep you entertained for a full day. Step it up to the red-graded trails and you'll find World Champs (the original championship course with 270m of climbing and descent), Top Chief's Wild Goat, and the Red Uphill Access. For experts, there's the 4X track and Black Crane. There's also a skills area and pump track near the base. Brilliant for kids and beginners building confidence. The real draw for many riders is the gondola uplift. The 15-minute ride up Aonach Mòr gives you access to three downhill runs from 650m: the legendary World Cup DH course (orange-graded pro line), Top Chief (expert black), and Blue Doon a sweeping blue-graded trail with Highland views that's the longest gondola-accessed mountain bike trail in the UK at 9km. Blue Doon is genuinely rideable for confident intermediates and the views from the top station are extraordinary. Bike hire is available at the base if you haven't brought your own, and the Pinemarten Café does proper food and coffee. The lower forest car park is free if you cycle there from Highwinds it's only 3 miles and you can avoid the A82 entirely by taking the old forest road from Torlundy.

A varied cycling experience starting with the Witches Trails. Mountain bikes recommended. Continues through Spean Bridge, passing the Commando Memorial with excellent Ben Nevis views. Return via flat Canal Path or undulating parallel road. Pass Neptune's Staircase in Banavie.

A pleasant, quieter, sheltered undulating road cycling route on the back road by Highwinds. Main challenge is a notable hill approximately 5 miles after the Brackletter corner. Mountain bikes required for the final section with grassy and rough forestry tracks.

Scenic out-and-back cycle through stunning Glen Nevis using forestry tracks to the upper car park. Generally easy (apart from the short section up to the Puggy Line) with incredible views. Ben Nevis Inn offers great pub food with fantastic views. Highland Soap Company cafe also excellent.

Primarily follows forestry and gravel tracks on the Cow Hill circuit. Cycle around to Blar a' Chaorainn then join the West Highland Way for a climb up to Dun Deardail — an ancient Iron Age Fort with impressive panoramic views.

Head towards Glen Nevis and follow The Great Highland Way all the way to the lovely village of Kinlochleven. Fairly hard route with some steep sections. Need a decent mountain bike and comfort with rough terrain.

For experienced off-road endurance cyclists. This loop around Ben Nevis is an epic undertaking involving challenging terrain and significant elevation changes.

One of the longer routes, taking you to iconic Loch Ness. Get onto the Canal at Neptune's Staircase then follow the Great Glen all the way to Loch Ness. Return via Canal path passing Loch Oich and Loch Lochy.

One of Scotland's most iconic cycling routes. Follow the A830 from Fort William to the fishing port of Mallaig, passing Neptune's Staircase at Banavie, the stunning shores of Loch Eil with views back to Ben Nevis, the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the Harry Potter bridge) and monument on Loch Shiel, the white sands of Arisaig and Morar, and views out to Rum and Eigg. Take the quieter old coast road between Arisaig and Morar for a traffic-free stretch. Catch the train back from Mallaig on the ScotRail — one of the greatest railway journeys in the world.