**Where to Ride

Bikemagic Trail Guide: Laggan Wolftrax, Inverness-shire

Destination: Laggan Wolftrax, Strathmashie Forest, Inverness-shire

The bad news is that Basecamp MTB, who ran the on-site bike shop and cafe, haven’t renewed their lease, leaving Laggan currently devoid of facilities. However, the trails are still open, being maintained by the Forestry Commission and, according to the Laggan Forest Trust, they’re looking for a catering alternative until the new forest centre opens in two years.

Laggan Wolftrax is a great all-round trail centre, with a green, red and black trail, plus a bike park

How to get there

Take the A9 north of Perth, signposted for Inverness. Once you have passed Drumochter, take the turning for the A889 signposted for Spean Bridge and Fort William. At the next junction turn left onto the A86 signposted for Laggan Wolftrax. Turn left at sign for Wolftrax and left again into the car park.

Sat Nav: PH20 1BU

Facilities

A bit up in the air at the moment but, at time of writing and having spoken to the forest office, there are toilets and showers available. Check the links at the bottom of this page for announcements about catering but, for the moment, take sandwiches and a thermos.

The red route is split into twos sections

Trails

The 4.8km green route is definitely more than a forest road trail and, although easy riding, has enough twists and turns to keep it interesting. If you’ve had a bit of a drive, it’s an ideal leg loosener.

The 15km red route is a split affair with an upper and lower section. The upper, although sharing an initial climb with the black, is a fairly smooth and, dare we say it, slightly dull affair. You can certainly carry speed through it though. The
lower is far more fun and will definitely have you riding repeat laps. It includes the black-graded Air’s Rock, which is much like The Slab at Dalbeattie, plus plenty of rock gardens and an excellent bermy timber boardwalk to finish.

The 10km black route is a technical rider’s delight. Drop-offs, stone staircases, boulder fields, rock slabs and no chicken runs. It’s all rideable without dabbing, but you’ve got to be good.

Finally there’s the 3.6km bike park. After gaining height on a gentle forest road, it’s then a fast, fun and jumpy return. Proficient riders will get big air but it’s all rollable for novices too.