A recent update to the iBikeRide Northern Ireland trail directory prompted a large response from local riders. The discussion raised detailed concerns about trail condition, design and maintenance, alongside examples of where rider-led initiatives are working differently. This feature summarises that feedback exactly as it appeared and adds context where appropriate. It is also an open call for riders, builders, clubs and land managers to share more detail so the picture of Northern Ireland’s MTB scene can continue to grow in accuracy and depth.

A Note on the Original Directory Post

The conversation began when iBikeRide promoted the updated directory on social media. The accompanying post unintentionally over-sold the trail-centre offer in a way that did not reflect what riders in Northern Ireland are currently experiencing. Once this became clear from the comments, the post was removed and clarified publicly.

iBikeRide lists trails across the UK to support rider reviews - positive or negative - and the reaction highlighted that the reality in Northern Ireland is more complex than the original post conveyed.

What Riders Said About Official Trail Centres

Many commenters described the sanctioned trail centres - including Rostrevor, Castlewellan, Davagh, Garvagh and others - as being in poor condition or long-term decline. Comments included:

• trails described as outdated;
• sections described as blocked, uprooted, derelict or part closed;
• remarks that jumps and features on the Rostrevor DH lines lack flow or are poorly shaped;
• observations that many centres lean heavily toward XC loops;
• statements such as “our trail centres are sh**e, “a joke”, and “the worst for MTB trails”.

Some riders also compared the Northern Ireland network to trail centres in Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, describing stronger maintenance, better progression and better overall value elsewhere.

Storm Damage and Long-Term Closures

Rider comments also touched on the impact of recent storms. Several mentioned Storm Éowyn by name, saying that large parts of the network were hit hard, with some trails “put out of their misery” after the storm passed through.

Public updates from land managers and councils back this up. Storm Éowyn and subsequent storms brought down large numbers of trees across forests such as Castlewellan, Rostrevor and other sites in Newry, Mourne and Down, leading to extended closures, diversions and phased reopening of mountain bike trails. In some areas, local authorities have stated that sections will require significant investment and time to restore.

This storm damage does not explain all of the concerns raised about maintenance, design, flow or progression at the trail centres, but it is clearly a major recent factor, in why many riders now find the official network in a poor or partially closed state.

Natural Riding and Rider-Led Initiatives

Several riders pointed to natural and unofficial riding as their preferred experience - mentioning Tollymore, the old lines in Rostrevor, and natural spots south of the border such as Hush, Bree, Ravensdale and the Lumpers.

One public comment specifically highlighted the Cavehill Initiative, stating that  the “team is possibly the only team with a good grounded connection with the riders around Belfast, with the Cavehill Initiative attracting riders from far and wide.” 

NB ‘Cavehill Mountainbike Club’, the Trail Association which operate at Cave Hill have one (if not the only one) of the rare formal MOU's between a mountain bike association and a council in Northern Ireland, with trails built and maintained by volunteers under that agreement. 

A New Development: The Volunteer Maintenance Scheme

Maybe some green shoots ahead? Alongside rider concerns about trail condition, there is also a new initiative underway. Outscape (MountainBikeNI), Cycling Ireland and The Outdoor Partnership recently launched a Volunteer Trail Maintenance Scheme, which they have stated:

• created a volunteer pool of more than 120 people;
• trained over 40 land managers and volunteers;
• delivered initial maintenance days at Davagh, Gortin and Castlewellan;
• scheduled further sessions at Barnett Demesne, Gosford and Garvagh;
• provided new tools and standardised training via Campbell Coaching.

Councils and the UK Trails Project have publicly supported the scheme as a coordinated approach to improving maintenance across the sanctioned network. None of the public comments directly addressed this new scheme, so its reception within the wider riding community remains unknown and or the proposed benefits not yet evident enough to move the dial of opinion.

Questions Raised 

The rider responses raise a number of open questions:

• Why are so many sanctioned trails partially closed or un-repaired for long periods 
• What is the current maintenance and funding structure for official trails?
• Have funds been provided by local Councils for ‘maintenance’ to date and if so how specifically have they been utilised given the perceived lack of progress?
• How are volunteers who really understand trail use being recruited from the established riding community? It be great to speak to this community being recruited.
• Why do riders feel natural and unofficial trails offer better riding?
• How can communication between riders, land managers and organisations improve?
• Are there volunteer-led partnership models that could be expanded like the one in Cavehill?
• And maybe more fundamentally given this is the new formal game in town now, is how does the new official Volunteer Trail Maintenance Scheme from Outscape (MountainBikeNI), Cycling Ireland and The Outdoor Partnership relate to the issues riders and ‘Grassroots Mountainbikers’ (local NI regional trail association affiliated to IMBA) are reporting and will it successfully address them?

Looking Ahead: What Could a Way Forward Look Like?

With both significant rider frustration and new initiatives emerging, the discussion raises a broader issue: what models already exist that could inform future trail development and maintenance in Northern Ireland and will public landowners like DAERA Forest Service NI come on board and enter into discussions about popular unofficial riding areas like Tollymore and Rostrevor?

The Cave Hill example - raised publicly by one rider - shows one structured partnership between riders and a council operating through a formal MOU. Whether approaches like this could be replicated or adapted elsewhere is still unknown, but it provides one real-world case study within Northern Ireland. Likewise the new Volunteer Trail Maintenance Scheme is active and spades are hitting the dirt in the established official centres. Awareness seems low but opportunity high if the work is driven by rider voices and rider needs. 

This is an area we intend to explore further in a follow-up feature, looking at how community groups, volunteers, councils and land managers are working together, what frameworks already exist, and what lessons might be useful for the wider network.

Share Your Experience

We will keep the Northern Ireland directory open for reviews - positive or negative - and we encourage anyone with first-hand experience of Northern Ireland’s trail centres, natural spots, volunteer groups or development work to add their perspective. If you are involved in trail building, maintenance, advocacy or club organisation, or a riders in the scene here and want to share information or context for future pieces, please comment below or contact us directly.

Read: 42 times Published: 27/11/2025