You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I read in one of the MTB mags that Dunkeld is worth a visit, and could possibly be a multi day location.
As usual we’d be travelling by ferry/van etc. looking for decent b+b accommodation, and, ideally, looking for rides to occupy us for 3 days with minimal or no driving involved.
Not looking for a super gravityfest, just some entertaining days out up there, guided if necessary.
Many thanks
We had a couple of days this summer and rode on 2 off the 4 hills. The trails were good fun but it was climb and descend riding. We used trail forms to find our way. The deli turns into a lovely tapas restaurant in the evening
So, it's an awesome place and there's definitely three days riding there or nearby, however... I doubt there is three days' riding of the mellower kind-of trails you may be seeking.
There's some fun, flowy stuff - particularly on Birnam Hill - but the other three hills are generally more challenging IIRC.
Also, it's mostly in forestry style woods, which I find gets a bit samey after a couple of days and makes me want to get out in the hills.
I had a day there.
Trails were good, nice balance of flowy and technical and just seemed well made.
I didn't do anything particularly steep.
It's a nice area. There's some xc stuff you can do out in the countryside and more trails at Pitlochry just up the road
We are accustomed to “forests stuff” but we do love our open hills trails. We’re not totally allergic to challenging stuff, but the modern version of “Enduro”, certainly on the IOM, is a bit beyond, at least 2 of us geriatrics.
Great info btw
There are some "out in't hills" riding there - Loch Ordie Loop, across on the way at Glen Garr (used to be a 'Scottish Classic' according to my books) for example.
Within 10 miles you also open up the Glen Almond area rides, again a totally differnent feel to the riding.
IMO, Dunkeld is not 'chilled', it is pretty full on enduro gnar and gets rather steep in places (Yer Maw, Yer Maws Erse, Bambi's Farts etc), but things like the cave descent is ace, Sacrifice etc... Definitely winch and plummet in the woods for most of it.
Dunkeld is ace but is very much steep enduro tracks. There are some good reds there but you then limit your options massively.
I'm sure there's a lot of more traditional riding out and about in the area, but pretty much 100% of the time when people recommend Dunkeld now they're doing it for the #enduro trails, which are superb. But definitely not easy! I went into it full of tweed valley smugness and got my arse kicked 🙂
Bare in mind that Pitlochry isn’t to far away for a day biking too
There's also the Kinnoull Hill trails. Nowhere near as full on Enduro as the hardcore Dunkeld stuff, but probably enough for half a day following the Fair City Enduro stages.
Break up the three days by doing the big Glen Tilt circuit on the middle day..?
Start and finish at Blair Atholl by the ranger station car park right in the village; anti-clockwise circuit around Beinn a Ghlo of around 36 miles, mostly xc grade stuff. Not possible after a really big rainstorm as the river Tilt crossing west of Fealar Lodge can be raging.
Or from the same village start point, climb and carry up Carn Liath, straight off the back of the first top and then loop back around the SE side on a trail that isn't on the OS maps but most certainly deserves to be ridden.
There's some grand xc and lighter steeps to be found at Pitlochry if it looks like the Tilt is a no-go, or it's too windy/snowy to risk exposure on Liath.
A day on the Birnam hill side, and/or Glen Garr, Hermitage, + perhaps careful selections from Craigvinean. A day on Ordie side, with a few wee trail sections like Secret Beaver. Job done.
Just inthe middle of trying to tick off all the trails/segments on Trailforks at Dunkeld (14 to go)- it's a great place to ride!
Endless fireroads to explore the forests and Loch Ordie trip is nice as Matt says. Tay Riverside paths also nice for chill stuff.
Although it is a bit winch and plummet the climbs are interesting and varied in general with stunning views and there are lots of long climbs and descents which make it feel a bit different.
Birnam hill is probably best for less steep descents, Rake and Ruin is the best Trailforks Red in the country IMHO. Makes a great wee loop with the forest path from the quarry back to Birnam.
Doug's, Dans and electric beaver are good fun to play on and pretty mellow. Can be nice to tie in with a loop up to the North West then over Rumbling Bridge and back down to Hermitage.
Craigvinnien is generally steep, rough and brutal especially in the wet but there are a couple of fun blues just above the hermitage. There's some good fun easier stuff at the Dalmarnock/Dalguise end which is worth an explore!
Atholl Hill is a great wee area to explore, the climb up the front from the climbing crags is really nice and goes on forever. Atholl Hill descent, Cave Pass and twa dugs are all good fun but might be a bit muddy just now. Hush Hush is surprisingly mellow and worth seeking out.
The mast is steep and tech but great fun and cracking views.
Easy get 3 days here but Aberfeldy just along the road has some great stuff including nicely sculpted trails and some hill track loops. Pitlochry great too but more winch and plummet.
Don't know much about accommodation as I live close enough to drive for a day trip, but anywhere in Dunkeld or Birnam will allow easy access to all trails/woods with next to no road - find your way to the River and ride along it!
Rake and Ruin is the best Trailforks Red in the country IMHO
Bold claim, but I get you...
I live 5 miles from Dunkeld. I'm very much a mellow rider and can't /won't do most of the Enduro trails. There is so much riding round here though. I can easily do a 6 hour loop just between here and Dunkeld. The problem is that most of the good trails aren't marked, aren't on trail forks and are not easy to find. I've been here 7 years and still find new stuff regularly.
To put it into context, I've not yet been to Aberfeldy on a bike as I've not needed to!
Dunkeld House Hotel is very nice
Is it me, or does accommodation appear very expensive?
Scottish Home Counties innit. Plus brexit, covid etc.
Everybody's cashing in/making up for lost income. We had booked a place in Plymouth for a diving comp in Easter 2020 which was about £650, looked at the same place for next week, now over £900. Would rather be in Dunkeld than Plymouth.
We just had a fantastic experience in Betwys y Coed at Coed y Fron. Twin room, 4 nights, £150 pp B and B.
Scottish Home Counties innit.
A surprisingly accurate description of Perthshire.
Take a look at the bunkhouse at Aberfeldy, and they've got loads of trails that start literally at the door.
https://www.thebunkhouse.co.uk/
Also this hotel is at the bottom of the trails, no idea of the rooms but we had lunch and it was decent.
We did a day at Dunkeld a couple of weeks ago, and then a day at Aberfeldy the following week.
The trails at Dunkeld are more 'enduro', but we're use to the steeps as we live down in the Tweed Valley. Aberfeldy had more not-so-steep stuff (but still some surprises) and I reckon would be a good base for more XC riding.
A surprisingly accurate description of Perthshire.
I prefer to think of it as Scotland's Cotswolds.
Without the Clarksons
There is a tremendous amount of riding for sure, only been once and had a wee neb about the Enduro trails. Hard!
Agree on Birnan Hill being a more 'fun' for me (not so steep and relentless as some of the other bits) Rake and Ruin was great. Pink Floyd also hugely fun, although very narrow and fast, which was 'interesting' for me as due to all other bikes/wheels being ****ed I was riding it on a fat bike with 5" tires.
When the tire caught the side of the rut at speed... parp!