1. the BIGFOOT

Type: Either a tecky e-mtb ascent or an analogue hike-a-bike push to the top, and then a fun return down this rocky singletrack. Approx grade red.

Description: Located at the top of the Kirkton Glen forest road, the Bigfoot is the lower 500m of the walkers hill path that comes over from Glen Dochart southwards into Kirkton Glen. On this 500m section we've done some work to cut back trees to keep this great piece of rideable singletrack, and christened it the Bigfoot.

To access the trailhead ride straight up the central Kirkton Glen forest road and then ascend the Bigfoot trail on foot or EMTB to a fence/stile. On an EMTB most of the ascent is technically rideable, but with an analogue you're pushing.

On a clear day when it's dry underfoot it's definitely worth crossing the stile and venturing higher up the extra 500m of the path, onto the open moorland and right up to Irishman's Loch at the top, for amazing views north (and a swim if its hot!) and then get the full 1k descent back into Kirkton Glen - Awesome!!

Note that above the fence line it can be a bit boggy after wet weather, but from the fence down it's a great rocky all-weather descent.

• Length: 0.5k from the stile or 1.2k from the loch

• Vertical: 80m from the stile or 190m from the loch

• What3words trailhead location: valley.unstated.sings

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

2. the TROLL

Type: Downhill singletrack. Approx grade red with a few testing features.

Description: Located on the east side of Kirkton Glen, just a short 300m ride along the forest road from the end of the Bigfoot, the Troll is a tight trail with a few steeper and more challenging sections to keep you on your heels. 

It's easily looped and ridden multiple times if you want to up your strava time :-)

• Length: 330m

• Vertical: 53m

• What3words Trailhead Location: marathon.owners.vandalism

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

3. the HOBO

Type: Downhill singletrack. Approx grade red.

Trail Taster Video: Watch

Description: The Hobo is located on the west side of Kirkton Glen. It's fast, flowy and starts with a roll into a dark "tunnel" through the spruce trees.

Exit the tunnel across a burn and onto a short rocky section before then winding your way down more open ground with open flowy turns, berms and drops to the forest road.

This trail is easily looped for multiple runs. 

Caution to e-bikers with heavy bikes... At the end of the Hobo, you can carry on straight over the forest to join the "Lower Hobo" - a short-cut back the village but it DOES REQUIRE A LIFT over a fence! 

• Length: 400m

• Vertical: 70m

• What3words Trailhead Location: chopper.analogy.legroom

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

4. the HIPPY

Type: Downhill singletrack in 3 separate sections UPPER - MID and LOWER. Approx grade red with some optional black features.

Trail Taster Video: Watch Since this video the has route has to be re-routed round the rocky quary section - that has now been crushed)

Description: The upper section drops into a rooty, loamy ride through woods and spits you out on a kicker next to the quarry. Then, once across the forestry road and onto the Mid Hippy, the trail becomes faster and a bit more flowy as you zig-zag over an old dyke line. Then across the second forestry track (where there's an optional diversion-see tips below) and into the Lower Hippy where gets even faster over multiple log drops! Just before the end take a look at "Le Big Mac" a huge roll-able boulder for those with the skills. Full-on + Fantastic!

Optional Diversion Tip: When you reach the second forestry road in between the mid and lower hippy, you can take a quick detour left 100m up the track to a small gate leading up to the Turic Rock viewpoint for a classic MTB photo! From here you can then either return to the lower Hippy or try the Yeti!

Length: 1.01k

• Vertical: 137m

• What3words Trailhead Location: poker.spouting.straw

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

5. the GOBLIN

Type: Downhill singletrack. Approx grade red with black consequences!

Trail Taster Video: Watch

Description: This trail is often the last that everyone rides, as it gets you back to the bottom of Kirkton Glen near to the Church. The trailhead is easily found leading off the west side of the forestry up-track behind the church, just a short 80m climb from the end of the Hippy trail. The Goblin has some knobbly and techy sections and offers a twisty line right next to a deep gorge. The riding is a what we'd describe as red grade with black consequences as there are serious implications if you ride off the edge of the cliff and into the gorge so, RIDE WITH CARE!

• Length: 420m

• Vertical: 55m

• Grading: Red/Black

• What3words Trailhead Location: upholding.rainwater.buzzing

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

6. the YETI (lower)

Type: Downhill singletrack. Grade black.

Description: The Yeti (lower) runs from the Turic Rock scenic viewpoint down to behind the church. 

It is definitely a black, with an array of blind drops, rocks, a skinny dyke and some techy sections to enjoy!

• Length: 482m 

• Vertical: 69m

• Grading: Black

• What3words Trailhead Location: ///recap.chapters.surface

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

the ELF 1.7k Loop

Type: Rolling x/c singletrack. Grade red.

Description: The Elf is the name we have given to a  natural rolling predominantly mellow downhill, 1.1k woodland trail. It combines with the Glen Buckie B road 600m ascent to form a great natural cross country loop. It is located on the south side of the village, just 6 mins pedalling from the village hall, up the Glen Buckie B road. The trailhead is located 30 metres before the cattle grid on the left . This is a great ride to start a day at Balquhidder as once done, you can easily pop back to your vehicle to get that forgotten something at the hall or church, before the climb up into Kirkton Glen! Definitely worth a pedal with some challenging and tight features - It will get your blood pumping.

• Length: 1.7k (1.1k singletrack x/c + 600m B road climb)

• Vertical: 43m

• Grading: Red

• 3-Word Trailhead Location: nozzle.boardroom.tinkle

• Maps: Strava Trailforks

THE STRATHYRE 16k LOOP

Type: 1.5-2hr Mountain Loop with easier or harder options.

Description: This loop takes you on a mix of B-roads, forest roads and optional singletrack round to Strathyre and back to Balquhidder. En-route there many options to stray off the forest road onto hill tracks, particularly in the Strathyre woods. The loop takes in the Ben Shian (actually spelt Ben an t-Sithean) summit and then the Broch Cafe in Strathyre and then Mhor84, both of which offer great food stops.

We will soon be posting new maps of the various routing options which have now changed from the previously posted routes due to new fences.

 Length: 16km

• Vertical: 2 x 400m descents

• Grading: Blue+Red

• 3-Word Trailhead Location: gobbling.slacker.partly

• Maps: New ones coming!

THE 4 Glens 20k LOOP

Type: 1.5-2.5hr Mountain Loop is an easy blue tour, with some optional fun features to test your skills along the way. 

Description: This is a very straightforward mountain ride taking you up to 600m altitude, with some great scenery and possibly some Golden Eagles at the highest point... The loop takes you up Glen Kendrum, down Glen Dubh and into Glen Dochart where you turn right onto the old railway line that takes you back southwards through Glen Ogle to Mhor 84. This is a top way to end your day with some grub in Mhor 84 before riding back to the car in Balquhidder.

Top Tips: Once you get to the top of Glen Kendrum you are at highest point of 600m. Up to your right is the summit of Craig Mac Ranaich where Golden Eagles can often be seen soaring. Also on a dry day try riding some of the flat slab in the Glen Dubh burn!

• Length: 20km

• Vertical: 1x 350m  +  1x 100m

• Grading: Blue

• 3-Word Trailhead Location: coming

• Maps: Strava Trailforks