Fort William Holiday Lodge
The Nevis Range
The UK Mountain Biking Mecca is right on our doorstep. Whether you’re an experienced mountain biker or just want to dip your toes into the sport there’s no better place to be. The centre has a Gondola to take you up the mountain so you can focus on the fun stuff. The mountain biking trails are open seaonally, in the Winter the Nevis Range switches to a skiing resort but you can ride on the lower trails all year round.
You do have to pay for parking at the Nevis Range but thankfully you can just bike there from the house. Following this route you can avoid cycling on the main road. For more information about the local trails visit here.
Caledonian Loop
This loop starts off crossing the main road and into the Witches Trails. For this section you’ll need a Mountain bike to deal with the rough roads, it is also worth looking at some of the trials above to combine the loop with some downhill biking! If you don’t have a mountain bike head round the back road to Spean Bridge rather than crossing the main road as shown here.
Ride through Spean Bridge, past the Commando Memorial (which has an excellent view of Ben Nevis) and into the Great Glen. From Gairlochy you can choose to either ride along the Canal Path for a flat ride for home or go on the undulating road that runs parallel to the canal. You will pass Neptune’s Staircase in Banavie before the canal ends in Corpach. Head towards Caol from here, passing Old Inverlochy Castle before reaching the main road and heading for home.
Here’s my strava of the route
The Back Road Loop
The road round the back of the house is a very pleasant, quiet, undulating and somewhat sheltered ride. The main challenge on this route is a hill 5 miles after the corner near Brackletter.
To finish the loop cross the main road and come back via the tracks by the rail line. This section will be a mix of grass tracks and a rough foresty track so mountain bikes are needed. If you have a road bike you can either come back the way you came or finish the loop on the main road.
Glen Nevis
A lovely ride through the stunning Glen Nevis and back. This route will take you out on the forestry tracks all the way up to the upper Glen carpark. Beyond here there’s a few tricky rock sections so worth locking the bike and walking up to see the Steal Falls from here. An easy ride with some incredible views. If you’re wanting to stop for some food on the way the Ben Nevis Inn for some great pub food with incredible views. For a cafe option The Highland Soap Company is on route and well worth a stop at.
Dun Deardail Loop
Mostly forestry tracks and some gravel tracks on the cowhill circuit. Loop round to Blar a Chaorainn and join the West Highland way on the climb up to Dun Deardail – the site of an old Iron Age Fort with incredible views down Glen Nevis.
West Highland Way I
Head towards Glen Nevis and then follow The Great Highland Way all the way to the lovely village of Kinlochleven. There’s a few spots to pick up some lunch there! This is a fairly hard route with some steep sections. You will need a decent mountain bike and be comfortable with some rough terrain to do this route.
The Skyfall Challenge
If you manage to get to Kinlochleven and are ready for more, extend your ride by going all the way to the famous James Bond Skyfall road. There are excellent opportunities for a selfie there (having taken your first one at the Blackwater Reservoir!). The route includes the very tricky Devil’s Staircase. For experienced riders only, one of the most punishing cycle routes near Fort William.
Tour De Ben
If you fancy yourself as an off-road endurance biking legend, this route looks pretty epic. Let us know how you get on!. Looks like a challenging experience!
Lochness & Back
One of the longer cycle routes near Fort William. Turn right out of Highwinds and follow the road with some great views of the River Lochy and the Caledonian Canal. You’ll end up on the main road towards Spean Bridge. Now turn left and go past the Commando Memorial (great views of Ben Nevis!). Finally, join the Great Glen Way, and follow it all the way to Loch Ness. Get back to HIghwinds by following the Canal track passing by Loch Oich & Loch Lochy.
