Dunoon Mountain Biking

Description

Dunoon is in the south of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. Dunoon has a network of approximately 15km of  single-track mountain bike trails for intermediate and advanced riders. There are limited facilities. There is a mix of enduro and natural trail riding on offer. 

Proposed Plans for a Bike Park: The Dunoon Project (wider regeneration initiative) announced in early 2023 the Action Argyll phase of this project. This is supported by Greg Minnaar (four-time World Champion Mountain Biker and Action Argyll Ambassador). Together they are planning a fully-fledged Bike Park set up by the Autumn of 2023. 

They plan to have converted the recently acquired GlenMorag Hotel to create a visitor cafe, bike storage, showers, and changing rooms. They are also planning on going from the 14km to 42km of trails with tracks that targets all ability levels (not just experienced ones). The plan is to have a gondola serving the bike park. 

Update March 2025

• Nevis Range has partnered with The Dunoon Project to create a world-class adventure resort in Dunoon, Scotland, featuring the region’s first mountain gondola and a major investment in mountain biking infrastructure. The development will include a base station with an adventure hotel, bike shop, restaurants, and retail, as well as a summit café and professionally designed MTB trails for downhill, enduro, and XC. The project aims to position Dunoon as a leading adventure tourism destination, boost the local economy, and build on Scotland’s growing reputation as a global mountain biking hub. Full details here.

Dunoon Trails

• Today, there is a real mix of enduro trails to natural riding. A great spot is in Bishop’s Glen, a wooded, hilly area just behind Dunoon. Expect tight twisty singletrack through woods, jumps, drops, roots and berms. Some of the names with reputation are the T1 original trail, Thomasz Track, Burnside Upper, The Badd, Burnside & T2 and ‘Tight. These are micro trails with an enduro feel. Each is quite short within a kilometer.

Foxes - Black

• The Foxes is a steep black graded 640m long track. It starts on the clear fell with plenty of roots and rocks and crosses into a steep section. Expect sharp, sweeping corners, and an exposed chute.

The Badd- Black

• The Badd is a black-graded 630m long track. It starts with a small gap jump before heading down through the plantation. It then rides through mixed terrain and then onto a fast-flowing track that leads into a steep drop into the woods with some tight, tricky turns to the finish.

Rock N Roll - Black

• Rock N Roll is a black-graded 560m long track. Expect rocky terrain, rolling hills, and rock slabs,

Fiddlers Paradise - Black 

• Fidlers Paradise is a black-graded 340m long track. Expect roots, rocks, and ruts. You can connect onto the lower half of the Burnside to create a longer run.

Burnside - Black

• Burnside is a black-graded 912m long track. It is fast-paced. Expect bermed corners and off-camber roots.

Tight As You Like - Black

• Tight As You Like is a black-graded 560m long track. This classic track (like Burnside) is often used in the Scottish enduro series. Expect it to be tight and twisty.

T3-2-1 - Black

• T3-2-1 is a black-graded 1200m track. Expect dense woodland, supportive corners, jumps, and gap jumps.

Gravel Tracks

Gravel is a big part of the riding scene here so wanted to mention as often there is a healthy cross-over between cycling disciplines. There are over 160km of gravel riding on offer and it serves all abilities today already.

• Red graded 167km Dunoon Gravel Century with 3,330m of ascent.
• Red graded 30.8km Corlarach and Buachailean Loop with 760m of ascent.
• Red graded 40.1km Dunoon XC Gravel with 1240 of ascent.
• Blue graded 23.5km Corlarach Forest Loop with 630m of ascent. 

Other Stuff

• Action Argyll is an outdoor adventure destination, and the first phase of The Dunoon Project, a community regeneration project. 
• For 2023 there is also a plan for a Zip wire facility to be called ‘The Dunoon Towers’.
• You can go from the Dunoon's summit where there is an epic view down to the sea.
• Other top places for mountain biking near Dunoon include Glenbranter, Ardgarten, and Glenmassan.

Groups and Resources 

• The local mountain bike group are Cowal Mountain bike Club.
• MBR has a decent feature that links out to some routes on Strava. Check it out here.
• Wild About Argyll had a guide to the wider area here.

Share

• If you have ridden the mountain bike trails at Dunoon then please share your experiences by posting your pictures, videos, and reviews to this listing.