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Co. Antrim
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Antrim Hills Way
Park in the car park above Cairncastle village, south-east of Glenarm. Brilliant figure of 8 loop taking in much of the Antrim Hills Way, including the excellent ridge above Sallagh Braes. Open mountain, with links on minor roads.
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Antrim Town
Mix'n'match your own route from the Castle Grounds, Rea's Wood, and the Sixmile river path. Park at Antrim Castle Grounds.
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Ballyboley Forest
West of Larne on Ballymena Rd. Park in car park on south side of forest. A good amount of forest track, and options also outside the forest itself. Bits and pieces of single track. Worth a blast if in the area, but don't travel from afar.
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Ballycastle Fairhead Epic
Park in Ballycastle village. A four to five hour loop epic taking in the fantastic views at Fair Head.
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Ballycastle Forest
Immediately South of Ballycastle. Forest tracks with some fantastically fast descents. Adjacent to Coolaveely wood, which has a DH track.
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Ballypatrick Forest
On A2, 5 miles south-east of Ballycastle, signposted.
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Belfast Hills Epic
Hills accessible from Poleglass/Suffolk, off the M1 - a number of options for start point. Good mid-size epic overlooking Belfast City, but return journey on road, unless you re-trace your route. Superb views over the city.
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Belvoir Forest Park
Accessible from Shaw's Bridge, Outer Ring, top of Malone Road, Belfast. Network of forest tracks provide some good riding, about 4km of built (and lots of natural) singletrack. Loads of options along towpath to Mary Peters track, where further single track and jumps can be enjoyed.
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Causeway Coast Way
Portrush to Ballycastle along the waymarked way - part of the new Ulster Way. Lots of twisting singletrack, and more climbing than you would imagine! Superb scenery.
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Cave Hill
North-West Belfast, just off the Antrim Road (between Glengormley and Belfast) at Belfast Castle. Lots of twisting single track descents through the trees. Great descents off the summit to both north and south, including the fantastic "quarry trail".
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Cloonavalley
Park in Ballycastle. Just outside Ballycastle on the Sheskburn Road there is a steep climb up and then loads of downhill singletrack on the way back down suitable only for experienced riders.
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Divis Mountain
Overlooking Belfast. As well as Divis and Black Mountain, there is is a trail that leads off around the back of Divis mountain. Can link up to make a Belfast Hills Epic.
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Glenariff Forest Park
NorthEast Antrim. On the A43 from Ballymena. Some very steep climbs on forest paths, and a superb ridge to ride, but riding downhill here is FAR TOO DANGEROUS for you and the families using the forest.
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Glenarm Forest
Park in Glenarm village. Some good walking paths, but access to whole forest may be restricted as it is within Glenarm Estate. Be careful as the area is a popular place for families / walkers, so safety and courtesy are of the utmost importance. Contact the landowner.
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N. Antrim Hills Epic
Starting and finishing at Cushendall, NE Antrim coast. A long ride combining minor roads with forest tracks and some good climbs and descents.
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PtStwt C'rick-A-Rede
A neat coastal route, taking in minor roads and lots of off road twisting path. More climbing than you would imagine. Part of the Ulster Way.
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Shaw's Bridge
Park at the Ramada Hotel, Belfast. Loads of nice little trails, jumps and bumps. Great craic and very convenient location if you live in Belfast.
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Slievanorra Forest
Accessible off the A43 North of Ballymena, North of Newton Crommelin (B64) - Remote in the Heart of the Antrim Plateau. Extensive forest with many kms of forest track including a good tight climb to the radio masts on the summit.
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Summit Knocklayde
Get your bike up the mighty Knocklayde, towering over Ballycastle, County Antrim. As pioneered by JJ and Graeme.
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Tardree Forest
North of Parkgate 6 miles, on the Connor Road. Parkgate is accessible off the M2 Templepatrick roundabout. Lots of mature singletrack through the trees, and plenty of fire-road options. Great when dry. Very enjoyable for a few hours, with flowing loops possible.
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Woodburn Forest
Accessible from B58 between Carrickfergus and Ballyclare (Ballynure), or from B90 Carrick to Mossley Road. Extensive network of forest tracks, with a range of single track built by some local riders, and options to link to some other singletrack loops. Best in dry weather.
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Co. Down
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Ballyhornan Coastal Path
Part of the Lecale Way OSNI Map 21 - some fantastic scenery. A nice grassy path, a beach, and some tricky stuff. Reminiscent of the scenery on the north coast between PortStewart and Ballycastle.
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Cairn Wood
3 miles East of Holywood. Easily accessible from Helen's Tower. Plenty of height to play with, with some great singletrack and forest paths in this semi-natural deciduous forest.
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Castlewellan Forest
Castlewellan is 8 miles NW of Newcastle on the A50, or signposted off the A24 Belfast Newcastle road from Clough (A25). Good single track at the west end of the lake, popular XC race there every year, sometimes out of bounds when readying for a race.
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Donard Wood
Accessible from Donard Car Park, S end of the promenade, Newcastle. Some tight fire road climbs and descents, and sections of single track. Some nice technical descents along the Glen River.
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Lead Mines Helens Twr
Accessible from the Somme Heritage Centre, off the A21 Bangor Newtownards road, just N of Newtownards. Lots of technical drops, rocky sections, etc in lead mines. Link with Helens Tower for a good XC loop and some nice single track. Also the now popular "Dufferin Trail" and the Sunday Breakfast Run.
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Moneyscalp Forest
Just off the B180, 7 miles West of Newcastle (immediately N of Tollymore Forest Park, across the road after the Mountain Centre). Some well-trodden technical XC and downhill tracks. Has hosted lots of races - once the Mecca of NI MTB, and still lots of good stuff.
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Mourne 7 Sevens
A popular challenge on foot every August, not too many have topped the 7 mountains over 700 metres in the Mournes wielding a bicycle.
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Mournes Epics
Start/finish from Newcastle or Rostrevor. The Mournes contain many epic rides. Any of Tollymore Forest, Donard Wood or Rostrevor Forest are perfect locations to start / finish an epic in the Mournes.
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Mournes Turkey Trot
Park at Trassey Car Park, OSNI Map 29 Grid Reference 311313. A popular fell run each year of 5.5miles and 1500ft of climbing on Boxing Day, and a rewarding experience for those who don't mind lugging their bike a wee bit!
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Rostrevor Forest
Rostrevor, just East of Warrenpoint, signposted from Newry or Newcastle on the A2. Popular with XC bikers, with great climbs and mental descents, some great sections of singletrack. A great place to start an epic.
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Slieve Martin Slaughter
Slieve Martin cairn stands 485 meters above Rostrevor Village and there are 4 different routes that will take you to the peak.
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Summit Slieve Donard
Summit Northern Ireland's highest peak, at 853 metres. Park in Donard Car Park in Newcastle itself or at Bloody Bridge.
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Teevenadaragh Wood
On the Newcastle Rd between Ballynahinch and Seaford, less than one mile on the right past Brennan’s Petrol Station travelling from Seaford.
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The Mourne Wall
25 miles, with plenty of carrying!
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Tollymore Forest Park
Just off the B180 from Newcastle (turn left at Bryansford). Labyrinth of single track sections all throughout the forest. Has previously hosted Irish downhill championship races. Super place for a day out.
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Co. Londonderry
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Ballcarton Forest
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Ballykelly Forest
On the A2, 7 miles West of Limavady. Small forest, with network of Forest tracks, and some singletrack loops inside and round the perimeter.
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Banagher Forest
South of the A6 Glenshane Pass, on the B40 between Draperstown and Feeny. An extensive, remote forest containing quite a few miles of forest track and the picturesque Altnaheglish Reservoir.
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Binevenagh
Off the A2, 5 miles N of Limavady. Turn left onto Bishops Road B201 and follow the signs. A good sized forest providing plenty of forest track, some challenging climbs and sections of single track. A breath-taking ride along a grassy path on the cliff edge leads to nice but steep singletrack off the ridge into the forest. Has hosted Downhill races in the past, and is currently enjoying lots of work that will meet the approval of the braver amngst you!
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C'Rock/Dungiven Epic
Starting in Castlerock. Get there along the A2, 8 miles northwest of Coleraine. Mostly forest tracks combined with occasional sections on minor roads. Possible to extend into Banagher Forest and over Mullaghmore into Glenshane Forest. A tough day’s ride.
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Cam Forest
NW of Garvagh on the B66, South of the A37 Coleraine/Limavady road. Large number of tracks, numerous loop options. Some great climbs including one to the windmills on the top of Rigged Hill, with great views. Also possible to ride a steep technical descent from the top to the west. Single track unknown.
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Downhill Forest
Very easy with a few steep sections (not counting the steps!) Great for families or beginners.
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Garvagh Forest
Follow signs for Garvagh town. Park in Garvagh village or in the Forest Car Park, which on the western side of the main A29 road, between Garvagh High School and the Ballinameen Bridge over the Agivey River. 11km of forest paths, and some short sections of singletrack.
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Iniscarn Forest
7 miles west of Magherafelt, on the slopes of Slieve Gallion, 7 miles North of Moneymore. Superb descent off the top of Slieve Gallion, trail zigzags down the hill before entering the forest, with twisting singletrack and jumps by the river. A very enjoyable 8-9km loop with about 400m of climbing/descending and some amazing views. Well worth a visit, it is superb stuff.
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Loughermore Forest
Just off the B69 Claudy/Limavady Road (links the A6 Dungiven/Derry with the A2 Limavady/Derry). An expansive forest with a number of route options on the forest tracks and lots of altitude gain possible and accompanying high speed descents! Location of a former XC race, but exact location and condition of former trails unknown.
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Mountsandel Forest
Located at the riverside near the Strand Road roundabout. Single track, with bumps twists and bends trough trees. Some short challenging climbs but full of fun. It's a complete circuit streching round 3km so you can easily race round numerous times.
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Slieve Gallion
5 miles NW of Moneymore (which is signposted from Magherafelt). If you have not biked on Slieve Gallion, go there! A road to the top (if you need it), lots of height, firetrack, singletrack, gravel, mud, water, open mountain, jumps, forest (Iniscarn), it's got the LOT! Superb!
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Sperrins Epic
Starting at Ponderosa Pub (supposedly Ireland's highest), Glenshane Pass, the A6 Derry Road. This epic type trail is best done on a good sunny day, after a long dry period or good hard frost, as it entails crossing open mountain and some boggy sections.
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Southern Scotland
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7 Stanes Centres
A short overview of each of the 7stanes centres, located in the Borders area of Southern Scotland.
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Ae
A fine blend of family trails and rough & tough for the more experienced rider. 90 miles / 2 hrs from Stranraer.
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Dalbeattie
Great rocky trails of all grades. Includes The Slab and other notable features. 60 miles / 1 hr 20 mins from Stranraer.
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Drumlanrig
Classic 'natural' woodland singletrack through some of Scotland's finest scenery, with a selection of trails to suit every ability and interest. 17 miles north of Dumfries on the A76. 90 miles / 2 hrs from Stranraer.
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Glentress
Probably the best biking centre in Britain. Everything from beginners' trails to long XC to extreme downhill and challenging free-ride. Café, bike shop & hire at Glentress. 140 miles / 3 hrs from Stranraer.
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Innerleithen
Along with Glentress (beside it), probably the best biking centre in Britain. Everything from beginners' trails to long XC to extreme downhill. Café, bike shop & hire at Glentress. 140 miles / 3 hrs from Stranraer.
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Kirroughtree
Home to some of the best singletrack in the country. Something for everyone, with seasonal café and kids' play area. 25 miles / 40 minutes from Stranraer.
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Mabie
Magnificent flowing singletrack for all, and a 3km North Shore test piece for experts. Café, bike shop & hire. 75 miles / 1 hr 40 mins from Stranraer.
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Co. Donegal
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All of Coastal Donegal
Donegal genuinely contains some of the best biking country in Ireland, IF you like to explore...
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An Grianán
The Grianán is located on the western edge of a small group of hills that lie between the upper reaches of Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle. Although the hill is comparatively not that high, the summit dominates the neighbouring counties of Londonderry, Donegal and Tyrone. Located at the edge of the Inishowen peninsula.
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Ards Forest Park
Large forest park on the coast with lots of facilities for families. Accessible from the N56, heading West just after Dunfanaghy. Park in the Forest Park itself.
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Arranmore Island
A fifteen minute ferry journey from Burtonport. A great day out with spectacular scenery, lung-busting climbs and exhilarating descents. All double-track and tiny tarmac roads. There are tracks and trails all over the island, so the possibilities are endless.
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Glenveagh / Gartan Loop
Start at Glenveagh or Gartan, or indeed anywhere along the way. Ordnance Survey Ireland Map 6. Some great climbs and fast rough descents. A 25-30 mile loop. Scenery fantastic.
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Glover Highlander
The gruelling Glover Highlander route from Muckish to Errigal in Donegal, over 14 miles long and taking in eight peaks with 6,500 ft of ascent/descent.
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Summit Mt Errigal
Near Glenveagh National Park. Park at the car park on the south-eastern side (not marked on map), and get your bike up Donegal's highest mountain, at 750m.
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SW Donegal Epic
Starting and finishing in Ardara, taking in Maghera, Port, Glencolmbkille, Teelin, climbing Slieve League, then back to Ardara via Glengesh. 80Km and over 2300m of vertical climbing.
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Co. Sligo
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Union Wood
Located approximately 5 miles south of Sligo Town on the R284. Park in the forest car park. A good mixture of forest track and singletrack trails.
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Co. Wicklow
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Ballinastoe MTB Centre
Ballinastoe is Ireland's first red-standard (difficult/severe) dedicated mountain bike trail centre. Well worth a trip. About 10 mins past the southern end of the M50 motorway round Dublin, take the turn off for Roundwound. A further 10 mins heading straight into the country and you arrive at the Ballinastoe Mountain Bike trails, at a layby on the right hand side of the road.
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Co. Louth
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Cooley Mountains
Start in either Ravensdale (accessible from main road between Newry and Dundalk) or Carlingford (go through Newry CENTRE and take signs for Omeath / Carlingford). Excellent XC, spectacular scenery and a bit of a wilderness feeling in places. Rides from an hour to a 6 hour epic.
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Co. Armagh
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Clare Glen
Just outside Tandragee. Short but fun. There is a variety of jumps, from one-foot jumps to eight-foot jumps, and including the road gap! If you're in the area they are worth a blast.
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Craigavon Lakes
Located 5 minutes from the M1 Junction 10, on a slip road from one of the main town roundabouts. 10Km of purpose-built trail around the lakes, nice twisting sections of single-track. Mostly on the flat, but well worth a visit. A good family spot.
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Gosford Forest
Immediately N of Markethill, SE of Armagh on A28 Armagh/Newry Rd. This 6.6 km family cycling trail is a circular route through Gosford Forest park. The trail combines forest roads with 2 short sections of singletrack. A great spot for the family.
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Slieve Gullion Forest
7 miles SW of Newry, take sign for Forkhill from border end of Newry bypass. Great trail off the top of the mountain, but you need to carry your bike to the summit. Great scenery and a good hilly tarmac route too.
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Co. Tyrone
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Davagh Forest
15 miles NW of Cookstown, off the B162, North of the A505 Cookstown to Omagh road. Very quiet forest with extensive road and double track network throughout. Some superb descents, including brilliant single track, jumps and other features, set up by regular users. Join the locals at the front entrance at 10am Saturdays.
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Gortin Glen Forest Park
10 miles North of Omagh on the B48. Plenty of altitude to play with here. A number of sanctioned trails exist including a downhill course, in the North part of the forest. Also great technical purpose-built singletrack, with 90-degree switchbacks, steep descents, jumps and various other obstacles. You will not be disappointed.
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Knockmany Forest
2 miles North-West of Augher village (which is on the A4 between Ballygawley and Enniskillen).
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Parkanaur Forest Park
4 miles W of Dungannon on the A4 main road towards Omagh. Well Signposted. A small forest park, but some good trails including nice singletrack.
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Co. Fermanagh
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Castle Archdale
10 miles N of Enniskillen. From there, take the A32, then the B82. Or, from Omagh, take the A32 to Irvinestown, then the B534 to Castle Archdale. The 10Km trail is made up of forest roads and tracks, with 2 sections of singletrack.
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Mullaghfad Forest
Signposted from Clougher, and from the centre of Fivemiletown, to the SE. Fivemiletown is on the A4 Dungannon / Ballygawley / Enniskillen road, about 20 miles from Enniskillen. No known singletrack, but lots of fireroad, the labyrinth of tracks could have you in there for weeks. A good place to do some exploring, and test your navigation skills.
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