Trail Badger
Mountain Biking trails in Northern Ireland
Ballycastle Forest
Immediately South of Ballycastle.
Forest tracks with some fantastically fast descents. Adjacent to Coolaveely wood, which has a DH track.
Ballycastle Forest Multimap Link
Park in Ballycastle town centre or at Coolaveely forest entrance on western side of the Wood (B15 road).
Both forests contain plenty of forest tracks and sufficient altitude to get the lungs working. Good tight climbs on forest tracks and associated fantastically fast high speed descents.
Coolaveely also possesses a down hill course with some very technical sections in places which has previously hosted local DH races. Well worth a visit if in the area.
Can form part of an epic taking in Slieveanorra and Ballypatrick forests.
Be careful in Ballycastle Forest, as the area is a popular place for families / walkers, so safety and courtesy are of the utmost importance.
Drag Your Bike Up Knocklayde!
If you fancy something a bit more challenging/ridiculous, why not take your bike up the mighty Knocklayde, like JJ and Graeme...
We went past Coolaveely and then up Drumavoley Rd to Ballycastle Forest and headed straight up the hill and to the left. We got to the base of the Mtn and after a couple of fences we had to walk the bikes up.
It was a hard slog and plenty of wet moss etc but we eventually got to the last of the false horizons and at this point it is very wet but relativley flat and we were able to ride the last 250mtrs approx and then up to the Trig Point on the top.
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Initially the descent wasn't too bad and we made the first quarter of the descent on the bikes but after both of us fell several times we walked the bikes down for the next quarter - we spotted a line over to our left and went to that and it proved very very nice - had to sit well back over the back wheel and needed a fair bit of concentration.
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The descent was great and we were able to find a line the farmers must have used scramblers or similar on and it was nice and fast. From there it was onto the Forest and on down into Ballycastle - the last of the descent was very fast and much fun right down into town.
Descent is a great mix of speed and some technical riding and I would recomment the run, but take extra clothes for the top as it was very cold, and something to keep your feet dry.
(Edited report by Graeme)
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Rider Reviews
NOTE: The trails on this site have been ridden before, but you should not interpret their inclusion as an indication that mountain-biking is officially sanctioned on them. Seeking permission from landowners is your own responsibility, as is conducting yourself in a manner that is courteous, respectful to the environment, and conscious of the safety of others.