Whether you prefer to ride on the road, explore a mountain bike trail or just a leisurely ride away from traffic, get on your bike in Ballater and venture into our great outdoors. Pedal through impressive estates, extraordinary Scottish Munros, ancient forests, rolling farmland, wide sandy expanses and places you never even knew existed. No matter where you end up on your cycling expedition you’ll never be far from a warming coffee and fine-piece (Doric for cake) at one of our cycling-friendly cafes.
Ballater has long been a destination for families and individuals seeking uncrowded walks and scenic days out on a bike. In recent years however the more serious and technically proficient mountain biker has come to regard Ballater as one of Scotland’s must visit destinations.
The explosion in trail building across the country has not passed Ballater by – and some trails such as Heartbreak Ridge, The Green Mile and Mastermind are on every riders bucket list. Nearby trails and facilities such as Tarland, Glenlivet, Aboyne and mountain classics such as The Capel Mounth and Streak of Lightning has helped Ballater become an ideal base from which to explore . Your can visit our East Cairngorms Mountain Bike Trail page here.
We also have a Mountain Bike Festival – Thrive. Visit Here.
If you enjoy road cycling nothing beats a ride around Cairngorms National Park and Royal Deeside to take on the challenge of the UK’s highest pass at the Glenshee ski centre, head towards The Lecht and test yourself on what is recognised as one of the toughest, and most spectacular, road climbs in the country.
