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Highland Wildcat Trails Golspie

Highland Wildcat Trails Golspie
Avg 4.33
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup
Number of Reviews (9)

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

  • Information:
  • Type: MTB Base
  • Grades: Blue,Red,Black
  • Distance(s): 5-10km, 11-20km
  • Country: Scotland
  • County: Highlands and Islands
  • Website: Highland Wildcat
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Description

Highland Wildcat mountain bike trails are on the slopes of Ben Bhraggie in Golspie in the Scottish Highlands. They feature double black, black, red, blue and green runs. So all bases for your ability are covered.

Like this?

They feature the longest freeride descent in the UK from the summit of Ben Bhraggie (1300' to sea-level) - and the longest technical singletrack climb.

Black Run

  • The black run is 13.6 km long and requires good fitness. It's one long up and then one very brilliant and very long down. On the way up the challenge is to climb the Lactic Ladder of rocks and step-ups without putting your foot down, then after reaching the monument, you have the longest downhill in the UK. The trail is pretty much all year weather resistant and the down has rocky descents with jumps and big step-offs, then onto the red section with sweeping berms and jumps. 

Double Black

  • There is also a Double Black graded trail. The double-black trails provide very fast and steep descents, with large drop-offs, jumps, and unavoidable obstacles that require high levels of skill and commitment, along with an extreme level of exposure or risk and a rapid rate of surface change.

Red Run

  • The red mountain bike trail is 7.5 km long and has plenty of challenging features and can be ridden as the beginning and end of the black run or on its own using the Red Lynx link. It’s a ride full of sweeping bermed single track, jumps and natural obstacles.

Blue Run

  • The 6.5 km blue run is a non-technical mountain bike trail but does contain a fair amount of pedaling so it is advisable to take on with good fitness. It features a sweeping wooded single track with natural features
  • It starts at the Highland Wildcat car park near Big Burn (accessed via the turnoff to Backies, just north of Golspie)

Green Run

  • There is a family-friendly green run here also.

Other Stuff

  • The name associates with the Sutherland clan emblem
  • You can support Highland Wildcat trails by purchasing a 12 Month Trail Pass. You will also be able to display this in your car if you are parking at any of the trailhead car parks (a ticket from the Highland Wildcat parking machine is not required). Details on their website.

Share

  • If you have already or do get to ride the trails at Highland Wildcat then please share your experiences with us by writing a short review or posting your pictures or videos to the listing.

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Belli:
Avg 4.00
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Fav trail.

Rides this one several times, always a challenge, and still my favourite. Scenery at and near the summit is glorious.

What do you like?

Scenery, technical difficulties and build quality

What could be improved?

Remote location but worth the travel, even just to do once. Don’t overlook this trail.

Would you recommend?

yes

Date written:

31/07/2023 - over 2 years ago

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1
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Alan:
Avg 3.90
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Well worth the visit

I've ridden this a few times and I always can't believe it when you arrive at the parking there's never anyone there(they don't know what they're missing in my view).

What do you like?

You get a great workout if you get to the top and you are rewarded with a nonstop decent all the way down to the carpark, there's 3 options to short cut the trail to the decent, the new upgrades have made the decent even faster 😁👍

What could be improved?

I wish there was an easier option to get past the latic ladder part for going on the bike, the fire road part would be great if it went into single track quarter of the way up and then single track all the way up to the top.

Would you recommend?

yes

Date written:

18/06/2023 - over 2 years ago

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2
^
guest:
Avg 4.70
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Awesome trails

Great trails!

What do you like?

Nice long downhill ride, lovely views at the top!

What could be improved?

Could be more signposts pointing out routes

Would you recommend?

yes

Date written:

18/06/2023 - over 2 years ago

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1
^
Stevi jackson :
Avg 4.67
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Golspie.. A definite must..

Stunning views from the top. Looking East with the beautiful Sutherland coast, and West is just as stunning looking towards Lairg. For masochists the middle section of the ascent called Lactic Ladder is a challenge to be cleaned without a dab.. bit too techy for my old bones. The mixture of drops, rock gardens, techy rocks, full on speed sections, super twisty berms, and huge tabletops near the bottom, leave you super pumped by the time you get to the bottom of one of the longest downhill reds in the country. Last time I was there a small donation to upkeep the trails were put into an honesty box in the carpark. It is a bit far north for a lot of folks, but a trip combined with Laggan, Black Isle, and Balblair trails at Bonar Bridge, make for a fantastic road trip.. Should definitely be on you bucket list..enjoy..

What do you like?

Long, diverse, techy and beautiful.

What could be improved?

Last time there, wooden ramps slippy..

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

25/11/2017 - about 8 years ago

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2
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Maft Graham:
Avg 4.94
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Golspie Madness

Definitely worth trying out, there is something for everyone there.

What do you like?

The black loop is by far the best trail I've ever ridden, and the finishing red/black trail is absolutely fantastic. Trail is rideable all year round and you get the best view at the top from any trail centre anywhere.

What could be improved?

I suppose you could say there is no facilities but the villiage is only a minute down the road with a nice cafe and shops. I cant really fault it.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

10/11/2016 - about 9 years ago

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2
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Jane:
Avg 4.57
Grin Factor
Trail Variety
Skills
Trail Quality
General Setup

Got it all!

This is definitely my favourite trail centre - it's not just a pootle around a forest - it's a hill climb and descent!

What do you like?

A huge variety of trails and shortcuts so you can pick your length. Fantastic options for folk moving up from red to black by using the short cuts. Also challenging ascents which you don't get on many other black runs. Views from the top are amazing - you can see from east coast to west coast on a clear day! And then the decent from the top is truly epic... Everything is rollable if you are just starting out with technical descents but there are plenty options for big jumps for those with more... Skill! The village has cake, fish and chips and bars. And there is a public toilet at the village car park. For those travelling from afar - the train station is only a couple of mins ride from the bottom of the trails and its a very scenic journey. There is a SYHA hostels in Helmsdale or Inverness (both on the train line).

What could be improved?

Upper runs are exposed and can be snow covered in winter.

Would you recommend?

*Yes*

Date written:

28/12/2014 - about 11 years ago

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1
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