glencoe mountain resort essential info the trails
Fort William’s smaller and lesser-known cousin is the UK’s only other lift-accessed riding spot and boasts similarly raw and rocky terrain, making it well worth checking out for a dose of adrenalinefuelled gravity action. Be sure to soak in the views on the way up, because you certainly won’t have time to appreciate them on the way down! The riding here is a blend of manmade and natural, with surfaced berms and bench-cut sections linking together craggy outcrops and rock slabs. It’s an ideal stop-o point en route to a weekend of World Cup spectating. FACILITIES Chairlift, free parking, cafe, toilets, bike hire, coaching (by appointment) NEARBY BIKE SHOP Nevis Cycles, Fort William (45mins away), 01397 705555, www.neviscycles.com Off-Beat Bikes, Fort William, 01397 704008, www.of beatbikes.co.uk MORE INFORMATION www.glencoemountain.co.uk, 01855 851226 GETTING THERE The bike trails are at the ski resort, which is situated right next to the A82. It’s a 1hr 50min drive north from Glasgow Postcode: PH49 4HZ
NAE DANGER 1.5km
Experience the views without the risk on this short blue trail, which starts and finishes at the top of the chairlift.
EPIC GLADES 3.7km
Another top-of-themountain XC trail, but with more technical riding and some panoramic vistas that are true to its name. Whip round a lap of this trail before finishing o with a bone-shaking descent down one of the DH tracks.
RED DH 1.75km
Reshaped last year, the red-graded downhill track is a corner-packed and slightly less rugged version of the main black run. It’s by no means a walk in the park though, so bring your full-face helmet and your A-game.
BLACK DH 0.9km
Glencoe’s original downhill track has come a long way since its early days as a rough-cut line through a peat bog. It’s now a fully-armoured and weatherproof descent. Think the Fort William World Cup track but tighter and trickier, with slower speeds, yet no less scary. The track is an annual fixture on the National Downhill Series and Scottish Downhill Association calendar, and never fails to test the UK’s best.