4 Best Mountain Bike Destinations in the UK & Ireland

Mountain biking is all about the feeling of freedom. To load your bike on your car and escape your everyday routine and feel the adrenaline rush through your body. It doesn’t matter if you are an extreme mountain biker or at the beginning of your journey – MTB is a lifestyle that you share with others.

In the UK mountain biking is one of the most popular activities to explore the country. But let’s face it, we’re mainly in it for the speed or feeling disconnected to the word. If you still want to discover the countries distinct landscape, don’t you worry, this article is also for you.

We talked to Hannah Barnes and asked her to give us her favorite mountain bike trails in the UK and Ireland. Head to one of her top locations to enjoy mountain biking at its best.

“Having raced two Enduro World Series races in Ireland, and a couple of Gravity Enduro Series races there, it’s safe to say that Ireland is now one of my favourite places to ride in the British Isles. Coupled with the friendly people and their Irish sense of humour, it is a special place. Carrick Mountain, in County Wicklow, is just awesome. There’s a bit of everything and something for everyone. Mount Usher Gardens is right down the road too, which has 20 acres of beautiful gardens and a great cafe. This little spot has so much to offer on and off the bike!”.

“I’ve barely scratched the surface in Southern England, but I love the Peaslake area of the Surrey Hills, which I rode whilst visiting the Specialized UK office. Whilst the countryside is fairly flat, it is impressive how much the trails really make the most of the terrain and how much fun they are”.

“My ‘go-to’ destination in the North of England has to be the Lake District. That’s perhaps because I’ve spent the most time there, having grown up in Patterdale until age 7 before moving to Scotland. Since then, I have regularly returned throughout the years, so it still feels a little bit like home. I’ve spent more time hill running there than mountain biking, which I didn’t give much thought until writing this. It’s time to shift that balance! The last time I rode in the Lakes was at Grizedale for the Specialized Trail Days festival, where there is a great network of fun trails. The Lakes are a really beautiful place, it’s always hard to leave!”

“Scotland - where to begin? Scotland really does have some of the world’s best mountain biking. The trails alone are one thing, but then add in the incredible rugged, wild terrain and sense of adventure, and you get a truly special combination! Kinlochleven, Laggan Wolftrax, Aviemore, Torridon, the Tweed Valley, Dunkeld, Fort William! Then there are also so many fantastic big days out and overnighters to be done, such as riding out to Ben Alder Bothy, or along Loch Morar and getting the boat back to Mallaig (hopefully in time to catch the bakehouse before it closes!) or Tour de Ben Nevis’ loop”.