A FANTASTIC year-round outdoor activity, mountain biking is a great day out for all the family over the Christmas hols.
Northern Ireland boasts three National Trail Centres and three Regional Trail Centres, with trails and thrills for everyone from beginners and small kids to downhill adrenaline junkies.
The Davagh Forest Trails in the Sperrin Mountains is a pocket rocket of a trail centre packed full of high-octane single track and hair-raising rock features. Younger and beginner riders can enjoy Davagh’s green and blue trails which weave through the forest. Bike hire for those aged 11 years and older is available on Sundays at the trail centre from Outdoor Concepts.
The Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails, located, on the shores of Carlingford Lough, offer some of the most exhilarating mountain biking in Ireland. Even with an uplift service, there’s no question this is a big day out on the bike but you’ll be rewarded with stunning coastal views and mind-blowing sections of single-track descents. If downhill is your game then both of the purpose-built DH trails will hit the spot.
There's a range of green, blue and red grade trails (including black options) and you can skip the hassle of bringing bikes by hiring some from Life Adventure Centre next to the trail head. Their new Wee Woo trailers ensure the youngest ones don’t miss out on all the fun.
In the picturesque Clogher Valley, the Blessigbourne trails also cater for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities with a range of wide flowing blue trails and more technical red trails packed full of exciting features such as berms, log rides and rock drops. Bike Hire available all year round.
And in Belfast, the Barnett Demesne Trails & Jumps Park in the south of the city offer a fun-filled day out with more than 4km of blue trail. Alternatively, spend the afternoon practicing your skills and tricks on the newly resurfaced MTB/ BMX Jumps Park.
Finally if you’re looking for an easy going ‘family-friendly’ trail centre, head straight for the National Trust estate Castle Ward on the shores of Strangford Lough. This regional trail centre boasts a 13km blue loop and a ‘Boundary Trail’. For Game of Thrones fans Clearsky Adventure Centre offer the ‘Winterfell Cycle Tour’.
:: More at MountainBikeNI.com.
