Witch’s Trails

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Fall under the spell of the Witch's Trails

Choose from magical journeys through fragrant forest or dazzling downhill rides - the Witch’s Trails have something for everyone. There’s a skills loop to warm up, and if you feel the need for a higher, mightier magic you can take the Nevis Range gondola up the mountain for more.

Nevis Range manages the trails. Check out the latest information on trail conditions and special events before you set off.

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Route planning

Download our guide map for details of all the bike trails around the Ben.

Equipment

To get started we recommend a basic mountain bike with suspension forks – nothing too fancy – and please wear a helmet. We’ve got some helpful guidelines about how to have fun and stay safe on the trails.

Stay safe

All waymarked cycle trails MUST be ridden only in the direction shown.

Life’s essentials

The Nevis Range centre has a café, and toilets for customers.

Walking trails

Cycling trails

Mountain biking trails

Broomstick Blue

Blue: Moderate - 4.4 miles / 7.0 km

Fly with the witch on this gentle ride.

More information...

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This is a great place to start, and ideal for younger riders. The trail follows the River Lundy, with plenty of gently flowing single track.

The Witch’s World Champs

Red: Difficult - 5.3 miles / 8.5 km

Work out and wow!

More information...

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Built for the 2007 World Championships, this loop is a real work out, with nearly 600 feet/270m of climb and descent. You’ll need to handle technical features and hard climbs – and be ready for thrilling descents.

10 Under the Ben

Red: Difficult - 6.3 miles / 10.0 km

Follow the wheels of champions.

More information...

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A heady brew of single track and forest road, this route is based on the popular ‘10 Under the Ben’ event. Watch out for Nessie, a snaking monster of a descent!

Jump on your bike

The Witch’s Trails offer three classic routes right from the car park. The Nevis Range gondola will take you and your bike up the hill for the Nevis Red Route, a challenging single track with exposed open hill sections and stunning mountain views, and the Off Beat downhill, an extreme brew of berms, rock steps, and gap jumps.

You can even ride all the way here on a link route from Fort William – download our Witch's Trails guide map for details.

Hubble, bubble, toil and trouble...

A local legend tells how the ‘witch of Leanachan’ fled to the hills after cursing a doctor and his two brothers in the 1800s. Now the forest below Ben Nevis is famous as the home of the mountain bike World Cup and World Championships – you’ll be riding the same routes as world champions.

Contact: Lochaber Forest District

Address: Torlundy, Fort William

Postcode: PH33 6SW

Telephone: 0300 067 6870

Email: lochaber@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

How to get here

From Fort William take the A82 north towards Fort Augustus for 3 ¾ miles (6km). Turn right, following signs for Nevis Range ski centre. The car park is at grid reference NN 170 774.

Using SatNav?

PH33 6SQ is the nearest postcode.

Public transport

Buses from Fort William go to Nevis Range. You’ll find details at Traveline Scotland.

Nearby places

Want more bike action?

Head for Laggan Wolftrax, south of Aviemore, home of possibly the best black grade mountain biking route in Scotland.

Looking for easy cycling?

Leanachan forest also has some great easy cycling, from the same starting point as the Witch's Trails.

Fancy a stroll instead?

You’ll find lots of good trails, most of them with superb views of the mountains, at Glen Nevis and North Face.