The Tarland Trails are two purpose built MTB trail centres, one each side of the village of Tarland in Aberdeenshire. The original 3km of trails in Drummy Woods are ideal for the less experienced rider, and the new TT2 (Tarland Trails Two) located on the hill of Pittenderich are designed for more experienced riders offering challenging features such as sweeping turns, big berms, jumps, and technical riding.

Below we give you the low down on both sets of trails, information on what to expect when you get to them, and directione to make sure you get to the trails without getting lost. Or, if you are impatient, then just jump to Tarland Trails Two.

The original Tarland Trails located in Drummy Woods on the western outskirts of Tarland is a great place to challenge and improve your mountain biking skills.

The trails are short, about 3km in total, but are beautifully formed and superbly maintained. Renowned trail designer Paul Masson designed the trails for a wide range of users from novice to experienced and competent riders, balance bikes, mountain bikes and jump bikes. Check out our other MTB pages to find more fantastic mountain bike trails in north east Scotland.

On offer are 3 trails and a pump track. There is a family trail (blue), a technical run (red), a big jump run (orange) with the pump track providing a space to practice your skills - so something for everyone.

The Blue is known as the The Spikey Hedgehog, the Red trail as The Red Squirrel and the Orange as The Slinky Fox. The pump track is called The Puddock Pump Track.

Drummy Wood Trails Descriptions

All trails begin from the iconic Tarland Trails Arch, at the top of the forest road. Access the forest road from the bottom corner of the car park.

The Spikey Hedgehog Trail (Blue)

This family friendly trail is a smooth roller coaster, with lots of humps, bumps and smooth berms for its 900m length. It is suitable for intermediate cyclists with basic off-road skills using basic mountain or hybrid bikes. A great trail to get you warmed up for the more difficult trails.

The Red Squirrel Trail (Red)

This is a challenging, rocky, technical and free flowing trail full of berms, drops and rock features. It runs parallel to the access trail so you get a good look at the obstacles as you climb to the start. It is suitable for proficient mountain bikers with good off road riding skills. A decent mountain bike is required for this trail.

The Slinky Fox Trail (Orange)

This winding trail is full of berms and a variety of different jumps. Expect a series of table tops and split level jumps of different sizes and difficulty. It is suitable for experienced riders with a high level of technical ability and good quality downhill bikes.

The Puddock Pump Track

An area for all standards and ages of riders. The challenge is to only use your momentum to get through the berms and rollers - the less you can pedal, the more you're showing your skills.
The trick is as you approach the rollers stand up on your pedals with your knees and elbows bent and look ahead. Push down into the dips between each roller using your arms and legs and pull up or "unweight" your bike on the front side of the next roller.

  £1 donnation encouraged

None - nearest in the Commercial Hotel in The Square

Nearest cafes in The Square. See our page listing Cafes in Tarland.

Shops and bars in The Square, Tarland.

Mobile phone signal relatively good along the route.

Nearest cycle repair shops are in Aboyne.

Drummy Woods Parking

The trails have a small car park on Burnside Road, at the entrance to Drummy Woods - grid reference NJ 477 043
Use post code AB34 4ZQ for Sat Nav.

View on Google Maps...

Coming from Aboyne

As you enter the village, turn left just before the humpback bridge onto Burnside Road. Continue along Burnside Road and take the second left onto a narrow lane. The car park is at the end of the lane.

Coming from Aberdeen

Continue through the village to turn right into The Square. Pass through the Square and turn left onto Mill Road at the Tarland Garage. Follow Mill Rd to the end, then turn right onto Burnside Road then left after 100m.

Download Trail Map

Tarland Trails 2, were opened during 2023 and are built on the steep hillside of Pittenderich, a mile west of the village of Tarland. TT2 is the ideal place to take your riding to the next level.

The magnificent 17kms of trails spread across the hillside offer an incredible range of challenges that are perfect for intermediates up to advanced riders. With a 400m drop from the highest point at Tarland Two you can take the 6km long run to the car park at the bottom. On route you’ll ride various sections of red trail, which is fast and flowing before more technical features start to show as you dive into the trees. You are spat back out into the open with rock features and sections of typical trail centre red. Then continue on the blue for one of the longest trail centre runs in the Scotland. Fantastic!

TT2 Pittenderich Trails Descriptions

On offer are six blue trails, six red trails, and one black trail - but be aware some of these tracks include wee slices of Orange so if you’re looking for jumps then TT2 won't disappoint.

Snakes and Ladders (Blue)

A short climb out of the car park lets you decide wether to continue climbing, or drop into Snakes and Ladders. This mellow blue is perfect for lapping (aprox 1500m per lap) starts with a double berm, aka The Gate Keeper, and winds lazily back to the car park. Agreat warm up.

Party Time (Blue)

Keep climbing past Snakes and Ladders then cut across for half a kilometer full of fast flowy berms, with some steeper sections, interspersed with a few kickers and drop offs with alternative ride rounds. Pop straight out Party Time onto the top of Snakes and Ladders.

Holy Cow (Blue)

Up wards past Party Time, cut across from the up track, and drop into the tree line for a kilometer of fast-flowing berms, small kickers and drop offs with alternative ride rounds. Finish by flowing striaght into Party Time.

Tomnaverie Turns (Blue)

Exit Scalextric, onto this short (250m) twisty trail which is home to the Mega Berm - the biggest berm at TT2, and prepre to meet Holy Cow.

Scalextric (Blue)

Starting in the high tree line, this trail swoops down and out onto the open hill, where you can stop at the King’s View to take in the spectacular vista. Get back on your bike for more twists and turns but be careful not to ride too fast or you’ll fly off the edge.

Crowd Surfin' (Blue)

A fast 800 meters of 100% fun jump line. Peppered with berms, table tops and kickers, this trail will have you smiling and whooping all the way down. Climb back up on Pete's Ladder and do it all again!

Call Me Chris (Red)

From the cairn at the top of Pittenderich this 750m long trail drops 95m through sublime sets of snaking berms, interspersed with a few short rock gardens to keep you on your toes.

Chris Cross (Double Red)

Following on from Call Me Chris, this is another flowy trail (800m long) with berms, short rock gardens and rollable drops. Look out for the Whale Tail, a log roll with kicker.

High Pressure (Double Red)

An long (1.5km), open and exposed trail, high on the hill. After taking in the stunning panoramic views of Morven, Mount Keen and Lochnagar, drop into a fast flowing trail with berms, short rock gardens and a gap jump known as "Butt Craic"

Bermuda (Red)

Drop out of High Pressure into the steep twisting Berms of Bermuda before exiting the woods to Bon Gripper, or through the Bermuda Triangle for different trail options.

Bon Gripper (Red)

Following on from Bermuda, this 540m long trail drops out of the tree line and carries on in the same vein as before with a flowy trail of berms, short rock gardens and rollable drops.

Spine (Red)

Following on from Bon Gripper, this section of trail tackles some slightly steeper ground with more rock gardens and technical descents. Either merge onto Holy Cow or take the fireroad climb back to the top to do it all again.

Fools Gold (Black)

A high speed, high adrenalin jump trail. Expect steep, compulsory and continuous features such as large berms, table tops, kickers, drop offs and big jumps. (Some may consider this as an Orange style trail with the focus on air time from top to bottom.)

  Over a hundred spaces. £3 for half a day, £5 for full day. Pay by phone or card only.

Available at the car park.

Nearest cafes in The Square. See our page listing Cafes in Tarland.

Shops and bars in The Square, Tarland.
 

Mobile phone signal relatively good along the route.

Nearest cycle repair shops are in Aboyne.

Pittenderich Hill Parking

The trails have a huge car park (and overflow parking spaces) just off the B9119, part way up The Queens Views - grid reference NJ 487 053
Use post code AB34 4TB for Sat Nav.

View on Google Maps...

Drumtochty Forest

Drumtochty, just a couple of miles from Auchenblae in south Aberdeenshire is one of the biggest forests in the area.
It offers over a hundred trails, ranging from gravel forest access roads through to proline downhill sections making it suitable for short cycles or for a whole day.

Read more...

Aboyne Bike Park

Aboyne Bike Park is a small mountain bike centre in Bell Wood, on the edge of the village of Aboyne. Five short trails offer something for the novice to the expert with black grade downhill tracks and a triad of trails making an impressive jump park.

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Glenlivet Trail Centre

 
The Glenlivet MTB Trail Centre, known as Bike Glenlivet, boasts a 22km Red trail (with black grade features), a 9km Blue trail, a 1km Orange freeride trail, a short Mini Downhill enduro style track, a pump track, and a skills area.

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The Lecht Ski Centre

 
During the summer the Lecht offers two mountain bike tracks; a difficult red trail and a moderate blue. And, there is no need to cycle to the top of each trail, simply hook your bike onto the chairlift and enjoy the ride.

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