Where to Ride MTB

Beautiful Natural Mountain Bike Trails in the UK

Here are some of the most beautiful natural mountain bike trails in the UK that you must visit

We are lucky enough to have such a vast array of natural riding to get stuck into in the UK. Leg burning climbs, daredevil descents and breathtaking natural singletrack routes are all just on our doorsteps.

Where to ride MTB inspiration

We’ve selected some of the finest natural mountain bike trails the nation has to offer, and if you haven’t given any of these a go, they’re definitely all worthy of popping on your ride-it list.

Rhyd Ddu, Snowdon, Wales

Now this trail means serious business, taking you to the top of the highest peak in Wales, the one and only Snowdon. The Rhyd Ddu trail is around 24km in length and is one of the hardest and most technical bridleways in the area.

With a very steep and narrow descent, it will take a lot of guts to look down at the sweeping valley, a 350m drop! This is one hell of a bumpy, rocky trail which will keep you highly entertained throughout.

Torridon Circuit, Scotland

The Torridon Circuit is a hefty 44.5km trail situated in the Cairngorms National Park in the Highlands of Scotland. This is one of the six exhilarating trails in the area, its breathtaking mountain scenery will blow your mind.

There’s plenty of natural flowing singletrack to play around on which becomes filled with challenging bedrocks and boulders. You will be expected to have to carry your bike for parts of it, but the surrounding remote but beautiful setting will keep you pushing through!

Nan Bield Pass, Lake District

The Nan Bield Pass is not a trail to mess with, it will put you through your paces, so brace yourself for a rough ride. Filled with alpine hairpins and rocky singletracks, the climbs are steep but very fulfilling.

This high mountain adventure will see you pass through some thrilling rocky descents, with stunning views of the lakes below.

Helvellyn and Sticks Pass, Lake District

The Helvellyn and Sticks Pass takes you through the third largest peak in the Lake District, so expect some killer views on this fun and rewarding trail. Full of loose gravel switchbacks, rock gardens and small boulders, be prepared for long hike-a-bike parts throughout.

The technical descents will blow your mind, with an epic ride down Sticks Pass, a rewarding treat for all your hard efforts.

Doethie Valley, Wales

Doethie Valley is wilderness riding at its very best. You will get lost in the remote Welsh countryside, where along the steep-sided valley you will pass waterfalls, rock outcrops and ancient woodland. These breathtaking views will remain with you for life.

The trail is around 23km, with a total climbing of 1130 meters, which will see you reach a cracking 4-mile natural singletrack descent filled with rocks slabs and roots for you to steadily conquer.

Gunnerside Gill, Yorkshire Dales

Gravel trails, swooping grassy tracks and fast rocky descents, you can expect a bit of everything on this beautiful singletrack bridleway, located in the midst of the Yorkshire Dales wilderness.

The Gunnerside Gill valley, which branches off Swaledale, features tough technical terrain and an incredible climb which awaits you at the end of this trail. If you start the looped route from Tan Hill, you can finish your ride with a well-rewarded pit stop at the highest pub in England!

Long Mynd, Shropshire

Situated within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Long Mynd trail is definitely one to tick off your UK bike-it list. The natural singletrack is quite exposed and doesn’t have many trees guarding it, so riding can be quite the challenge on a harsh windy day.

On the highest point of the trail, which is 516m above sea level, you might even be able to get a view of Snowdown if the weather’s playing ball!

Quantocks, Somerset

Amazing altitude heights and the quality of trails set on perfect terrain is what makes the Quantocks so appealing for riding. The picturesque ride is filled with steep, thrilling descents and features over 1200 meters of long but steady climbs.

The diverse landscape features plenty of fun twisty singletrack and epic downhill sections which will definitely put you through your paces. Holdford, near the bottom of combes, is a perfect place to start this trail.

For more trail inspiration, check out our Where to Ride MTB archive here.