Glenlivet Bike Trails – A Fantastic Family Adventure in the Cairngorms

If your family loves being outdoors, Glenlivet Bike Trails is an amazing place to spend the day. As parents of toddlers, we're always looking for activities that get us outside, burn off some energy and don't cost a fortune, and this ticked all the boxes.

There are a variety of mountain bike trails suitable for different abilities, from the family-friendly green trail to the more technical blue and red routes. Before having children, we'd happily ride the blue or red trails. This time, with our toddlers riding on the bikes with us, we completed the green trail. As experienced riders, we found it enjoyable and manageable, but we would say the green trail still has some climbs and descents that may feel challenging if you're completely new to mountain biking.

During our visit, we also watched a group of children taking part in a mountain biking lesson with experienced instructors. It was fantastic to see young riders learning new skills in a safe environment, making this a great option if your child is interested in building confidence on the trails.

One of our favourite parts of the visit was staying overnight in our campervan. Overnight parking costs just £12, and setting off early the next morning meant we had the trails almost entirely to ourselves. It made such a difference riding through the peaceful forest before it became busier.

If you fancy stretching your legs after your ride, there's also a free viewing tower just a short walk away. Climb the three levels of stairs to enjoy beautiful views across the surrounding forest and countryside. The viewing platform is securely fenced, making it a lovely extra stop for families with children.

The trails themselves are completely free to use, making this an excellent budget-friendly family day out. Parking is paid, but once you're there you can easily keep costs low by bringing a picnic to enjoy in the forest. If you'd rather not pack lunch, there's also a café on site serving food and drinks.

One feature we loved as parents was the toddler balance bike available to borrow outside the café. It's perfect for little ones who want to have a ride while parents enjoy a coffee or take a well-earned break before or after tackling the trails.

Don't have your own bikes? No problem – bike hire is available, making it accessible even if you're travelling without your own equipment.

The facilities are excellent for families. There are free 24-hour toilets, baby changing facilities, free drinking water and bike wash stations to clean your bikes after a muddy ride. One thing to note is that there are no bins, so be prepared to take all of your rubbish home with you to help keep this beautiful area clean.

Family Sustainability Hub Top Tips

* Stay overnight in your campervan and hit the trails first thing in the morning for a quieter experience.

* Pack a picnic to make this a fantastic low-cost family day out.

* Borrow the toddler balance bike from outside the café while you enjoy a coffee.

* Look out for children's mountain biking lessons if your child wants to develop their skills.

* The green trail is suitable for confident riders with children on bike seats or tow systems, but complete beginners may find parts of it challenging.

* Don't miss the free viewing tower for stunning Highland views.

At a Glance

* 🚴 Free mountain bike trails

* 🚗 Paid parking

* 🚐 Campervan overnight parking (£12)

* 🚲 Bike hire available

* 👧 Children's mountain bike coaching available

* 🚲 Toddler balance bike available to borrow outside the café

* ☕ Café on site

* 💧 Free drinking water

* 🚻 Free 24-hour toilets

* 👶 Baby changing facilities

* 🧽 Bike wash stations

* 🗑️ No bins – please take your rubbish home

* 🧺 Picnic friendly

* 🌲 Free viewing tower with panoramic views

* 💷 Budget-friendly family activity

Would We Visit Again?

Absolutely! This is exactly the type of place we love discovering as a family. Whether you're visiting with toddlers, older children who are learning to ride, or confident mountain bikers looking for more challenging trails, Glenlivet Bike Trails has something for everyone.

What really stood out to us was how easy it is to keep costs down. The trails are free, you can bring a picnic, refill your water bottles, make use of the excellent family facilities and even stay overnight in your campervan so you're ready to explore first thing in the morning. Watching the sunrise over the forest and having the trails almost to ourselves was a real highlight of our trip

We'll definitely be returning as our girls grow. We can't wait to watch them progress from borrowing the balance bike at the café to riding the green trail themselves, and one day hopefully joining one of the children's mountain biking lessons. It's a place where your family can make memories for years to come while enjoying the beautiful Cairngorms together.