[Closed] Fochabers or Glenlivet trails

Both are quite tame but worth a wee drive too. I would probably go to Glenlivit over Fochabers, there is a new jump track and the views from the red are quite good. Cafe has reopened I think too.

Thanks Dave. How tame is tame? Are the reds actual reds?

It has been a long time since I was at either but compared to Glentress I would suggest probably not. It all felt pretty easy from memory but Glenlivit was definitely more fun.

I like Fochabers, has a good flow to it, less chance of it being mobbed.
Glenlivet is more like a blue I'd say, but neither are taxing. Gully Monsters is currently overgrown I believe

Glenlivet red is pretty tame, but still involves a decent climb and optional features on the big descent. You can divert onto the jump line on the way back towards the car park. It's good fun, if a little tame compared to other places nearby such as Laggan. The cafe is also open now, and is very good.

Haven't ridden Fochabers for a few years, but it also had a new section of trails close to the main car park a couple of years back. The trails there always felt pretty neglected IME.

Fochabers always felt like root city to me. I could never get any decent flow going.

Glenlivet is nice. Nice riding, nice views but no great shakes. We rode it once a few weeks ago and weren't really inspired to go round again. The red is more of a blue and the optional black features are barely even red.

Hmmm, maybe it’s best to try and fit in a drive to Laggan instead if I have time. Otherwise it’s sounds like Glenlivet may be the best option.

Not been to Fochabers but have been to Glenlivet a few times The red has a fair climb to the top with a couple of features on the way down. I'd not cut off from the last bit for the jump line as the last wee bit of the red/blue when you get back into the trees I really enjoy and its not far back to the top of the jump line from the Cafe.

To be honest its worth going for the cafe alone.

If you're in Forres maybe head the other direction and head to Learnie on the Black Isle? I haven't been for years but remember it being good fun with some great views too. Glenlivet was mobbed on Saturday, busiest I've ever seen it.

If you want some good but short trails that seem really good from my one short visit, try Craig Dunnain on the west of Inverness, looked to be loads there at all levels.

Contin has some fun trails too. No cafe mind!

Craig Dunnain! Of course, good shout.

We thought Glenlivet was dire. Compared to Golspie and the money spent on each it is an absolute travesty. It's like someone has explained the general principles of trail centre building but not gone into the detail.... like the jumps go on the downhill/flat sections.

I keep wondering if we did it the wrong way round....

Glenlivet was mobbed on Saturday, busiest I’ve ever seen it.

Interestingly the owners on Saturday were saying it wasn't as busy as it's been over the last few weeks mid week...!

We turned up to a full car park and heaving, not expecting that at all.

That said, the red was empty and we saw a few families on the blue. Orange jump line was a queue all afternoon it seemed.

It is a chilled trail, definitely rolling some miles with amazing views is the vibe.

The owners have some great plans for it - much more on the red, a possible pro/black jump line, some easier features on blue.

And last I rode Fochabers (maybe 4 years ago) we gave up as it was so overgrown...

Haven't ridden glenlivet since the new jumps were added, before that it was alright, nothing special. My main complaint is that though the trails were well built etc they were so lacking in character, you could have been anywhere. Didn't feel like they were built taking into account the location or the geography, just "drive excavator along here, make undulations"

Which like I say is fine, and there was nothing wrong with the trails as far as I was concerned, but it made it not really worth travelling to. Golspie, Kirroughtree, Laggan, all perfect examples of trails that are worth a trip, not just because tehy're good but because they're memorable and you can't just get the same elsewhere. I'd almost rather ride somewhere bad but interesting

Managed to free up an extra hour, so will do a speedy Laggan trip. Will save Glenlivet et al for the next trip. Excellent advice all, cheers!

Fochabers always felt like root city to me. I could never get any decent flow going.

Is that recently? It used to be very rooty but the red got a lot more smooth sections a couple of years back. I quite enjoy it but then I'm not at all gnar and like the fact that I can link blue and red loops to get a decently length ride.

will do a speedy Laggan trip.

Good call. Laggan is brilliant.

Am at Learnie just now. Staying in Rosemarkie , had a few loops with daughter yesterday on green, blue and red which everyone was excited about ! Did the other blue over the rod but didn’t check the black as ran out of time. It’s lovely. And lots of off piste as well....

I was at Glenlivet 2 weeks ago , it was the 3rd time id been but didn't even bother with the red as we just played about on the jump line which is short but superb. Its Jamie Edmondsons family who now run the cafe which is really good. He was saying they are planning and have started some little off piste trails. If your in Forres go ride the Dallas trails or even the Oakwood in Elgin they will be way more fun than fochabers or glenlivet red.