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Cathkin Braes and Area 69 Mountain Bike Trails

Cathkin Braes and Area 69 Mountain Bike Trails
Avg 3.53
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup
Number of Reviews (13)

*You can claim this trail if you are the trail owner

  • Information:
  • Type: MTB Base
  • Grades: Blue,Red,Black
  • Riding: Cross Country,Pump Track,Skills Area
  • Facilities: Car Park,Toilets
  • Distance(s): 5-10km
  • Country: Scotland
  • County: Glasgow
  • Website: Cathkin Braes
  • Facebook:
  • Instagram:

Trail Network & Rider Segments

Trail network status from Trailforks and recent rider segments from Strava (see full mapped routes and details in the Tracks tab).

Trail Status

status via Trailforks.com

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Description

Cathkin Braes and Area 69 mountain bike trails are in the Cathkin Braes Country Park in the South East of Glasgow. The official park opened in June 2013 and was built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Like this?

The location is well placed as it is 200 metres above sea level making it the highest point in Glasgow. There are no facilities so go prepared. There is a blue and red trail, a skills loop, a Velo Solutions pump track and Area 69.

Cathkin Braes Trail

  • The trail is a Red graded trail with Blue and Black options. Specifically, there are two Black sections on the Red route. Hence it is graded to suit different skill and fitness levels. 
  • It's  5.5 km long designed in a figure of eight. 
  • Features include drop off's, berms, exposed bedrock, steep descents, tough climbs, water splash, steps, rock boulders and flagstone causeways.   
  • The terrain is a mix of ancient woodland, and more exposed wide open spaces and stunning views that take in Glasgow city as its backdrop. 
  • The track is split into multiple sections with names that give a clue to the ride on that segment such as Propeller Point, Double Dare, Rest and Be Thankful, Broken Biscuits, Brig O’Doom and Clyde Climb.
  • There is also a pump track and skills area.

Area 69 - Off Piste

  • This is the off-piste area full of downhill technical trail features from drops, jumps and steep descents.

Other Stuff

In 2024 new investments were announced for: 

  • Installation of toilets and storage containers
  • Enhanced facilities for coaching and youth participation
  • Extended club use and Scottish Cycling programmes support

Groups and Clubs

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  • If you have ridden the Cathkin Braes Mountain Bike trails then why not share your experiences and post some pictures, videos or a short review to the listing.

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Pete:
Avg 2.30
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Potential

My local.

What do you like?

Off piste and local to GLW

What could be improved?

Far to much conflict onside with other park users. Also lack of maintainace on marked trails.

Would you recommend?

yes

Date written:

30/07/2023 - over 2 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

1
^
Brian muirhead:
Avg 2.50
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

I just hope they warn dog walkers and walkers off the track And maintaine it better if they do it will be a happier place to ride Thanks

What do you like?

If want to get fit on you're bike it's fantastic track Brave hart is great fun And the woodland part of the track is fast and fun to

What could be improved?

I am with everyone else the dog walkers are a pain and I mean that literally . I have had to go to the hospital on two occasions because of dog walkers Thay should not be allowed on the track . And I think it could be maintained better I volunteered last year to help with repair of the track four hours wasted Achieved nothing . Apart from that it's a great we track

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

22/10/2017 - about 8 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

2
^
John Belcher:
Avg 3.49
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Catkin XC

For a track to live near and with the additional trails and pump track being built its going to be really good for a local spot

What do you like?

Decent loop with a few options to increase the difficulty.

What could be improved?

Could be more technical

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

21/10/2017 - about 8 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

0
^
Blair Kemp:
Avg 3.72
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Good facility

Good

What do you like?

Awesome wee xc loop, makes a great training ride to bash out a few laps on. With the soon addition of a velosolutions pumptrack and trail exections, it's only going to get better!

What could be improved?

Lack of facilitys, toilets etc... Although I believe there may be plans made for that in the near future too.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

28/07/2017 - over 8 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

1
^
Dave Paton:
Avg 4.76
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Cathkin Braes

Get rid of the dog walkers please.

What do you like?

Track is superb for what it is, a city trail. Plenty of variation to each technical part.

What could be improved?

The dog walkers are ruining the circuit, some are quite aggressive.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

07/04/2017 - over 8 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

3
^
Allan:
Avg 3.31
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Cathkin Braes mtb course.

Some great wee trails that could do with a few more facilities.

What do you like?

Compact, fun and varied trails, close to the city and with awesome views over the city.

What could be improved?

No facilities at all, sometimes dog walkers can wander onto trails. Car park is dodgy after dark due to fact is popular with different nocturnal groups of folk.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

05/04/2017 - over 8 years ago

Was this review helpful to you?

1
^
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