Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails

Description

Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails, County Down – A trail centre set within Castlewellan Forest Park, offering a complete range of grades from gentle green loops to demanding black descents. The network delivers flowing singletrack, lakeside trails, and panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains, supported by a full trailhead hub with bike hire, café, parking, and wash facilities.

Green Trail

A short, family-friendly circuit around Castlewellan Lake, ideal for new riders and children. The wide forest track follows gentle gradients, offering relaxed riding close to the trailhead.

• Grade: Green / Easy
• Distance: approx 4 km
• Features: Lakeside route, minimal climb
• Official Green Trail Listing

Blue Trail

The Blue Trail adds woodland singletrack and undulating sections for a flowing intermediate ride, with great views and connection options to the Red loop.

• Grade: Blue / Moderate
• Distance: approx 4.5 km

Red Trail

The main Red Trail climbs behind Castlewellan Castle before a fast, scenic descent through forest singletrack. It offers a mix of flow, climbs, and rock sections, taking in elevated viewpoints across the Mournes. Some diversions and closures may apply following recent storm damage, so check status before visiting.

• Grade: Red / Difficult
• Distance: approx 19–20 km
• Official Red Trail Listing

Black Trails

Dolly’s Chute

A steep, technical descent with exposed roots and rock drops, designed for advanced riders. This short black run branches from the upper Red Trail and offers a fast, challenging line down through dense forest terrain.

• Grade: Black / Severe
• Distance: approx 1 km
• Official Dolly’s Chute Listing

The Great Escarpe

The Great Escarpe is another black-grade descent within the Castlewellan network. This 1.1-mile linear section drops steeply from the high forest edge with technical corners, rock features, and open views of the Mourne Mountains. Riders access it via Waypoint 31 off the Red Trail, near White Water Rapide.

• Grade: Black / Severe
• Distance: 1.1 mi (linear)
• Character: Fast, natural descent with technical sections and views

Current status note: According to official sources, all black-grade trails at Castlewellan (including The Great Escarpe and Dolly’s Chute) remain closed pending storm recovery works. Please confirm before riding.

Pump Track

A smooth asphalt pump track is located beside the trailhead in Castlewellan Forest Park, offering rollers, berms, and loops for all ages. It’s ideal for families, younger riders, and warm-ups before hitting the main trails.

• Surface: Asphalt
• Suitable for: All ages and skill levels
• Official Pump Track Listing

Facilities

The trailhead at Castlewellan Forest Park provides a large car park, toilets, café, bike wash, and hire centre offering hardtail, full-suspension, and e-bikes. There’s also a children’s play area, picnic zones, and direct lake access for families and walkers.

Directions

From Belfast, take the A24 then A2 towards Castlewellan. Enter via the main Forest Park gates and follow signs to the trailhead on Forest Park View. Sat-nav postcode: BT31 9BU.

Events and Community

Castlewellan hosts regular MTB races, dig days, and community events in partnership with local trail groups. Riders are asked to follow signage and respect shared-use zones with walkers and runners.

Address

Castlewellan Forest Park
Forest Park View
Castlewellan
County Down
BT31 9BU
Northern Ireland

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