Laggan Wolftrax

Laggan Wolftrax is between Spean Bridge and Newtonmore, just west of Laggan village. It covers over 20 miles of purpose-built trails that wind through Laggan Forest, with superb views of the Monadhliath hills on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. There are routes from an easy-going green trail to a black run that’s probably the most technical bit of single track in Scotland.

The easy 3 mile Green Trail is just right for family cycling, or anyone who likes to enjoy the scenery while riding. There’s a gentle shallow climb at the start, and a beautiful track weaving through the forest on the way back.

Laggan’s 9.5 mile Red Trail is a trail of two halves. To the south it snakes down the hillside, sharing the track with the black run to the Wolf’s Lair viewpoint. From there it’s downhill on fast, narrow single track and to the north there are lots of enjoyably testing rock features like the Rib Rattler and Air’s Rock – a Black-graded slab which you can by-pass if it looks too severe. Near the bottom, the Wolf Run is a fun 300 yards of timber boardwalk through the trees.

The severe 4 mile Black Trail is where the wolf really bares its teeth. A demanding, technical trail for expert riders, the black route has challenging rock features, sizeable drop-offs, boulder fields and rock slabs – with no ‘chicken run’ by-passes. You’ll need plenty of skill, a high-end machine, and helmet, gloves, elbow and knee protection for this route.

The extreme Orange Trail is 2.3 miles long and you can freewheel all the way down, swooping round the berms and getting some big air on the jumps. The well-sealed single track makes this a great place to practice your skills, but the bike park isn’t recommended for young children.

There are toilets and showers onsite and hot and cold drinks, snacks, midge repellent and inner tubes are available from the Laggan Forest Trust office.

(Trail information courtesy of the Forestry Commission Scotland)