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      Ballater (Scottish Gaelic: Bealadair) is a burgh in Aberdeenshire, Scotland on the River Dee, immediately east of the Cairngorm Mountains. Situated at an elevation of 213 m (700 ft), Ballater is a centre for hikers and known for its spring water, once said to cure scrofula.
      source: Wikipedia
      This region uses the Uk/Euro style trail grading system.
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      Trail info last updated

      Activities Click to view
      Region Details
      • 42
      • 28
      • 13
      • 5
      • 15

      Region Status
      Open as of Jul 25, 2026
      Local Trail Association

      Stats

      Avg Trail Rating
      Trails (view details)
      105
      Trails Mountain Bike
      103
      Trails E-Bike
      101
      Trails Gravel Bike
      48
      Trails Adaptive Bike
      23
      Trails Winter Fat Bike
      5
      Trails Horse
      19
      Trails Hike
      99
      Trails Trail Running
      99
      Total Distance
      152 miles
      Total Descent
      28,815 ft
      Total Vertical
      3,230 ft
      Highest Trailhead
      3,756 ft
      Reports
      620
      Photos
      220
      Completed Counter
      22,363

      Articles

      Video & Photo Story: Unreal Single Track in Scotland with Scotty Laughland
      Nov 24, 2021 from pinkbike.com
      Some incredible looking trails.
      Sub Regions

      Popular Ballater Mountain Biking Trails

      60
      Heartbreak Ridge
      • 100 ★ 4.6 • 2 miles • 18 ft • 1,403 • • hike
      Highly rated popular black difficulty singletrack. This hike primary trail can be used one direction and has a hard overall physical rating with a 18 ft blue climb. It features drop, jump, rock face and rock garden. Trail visibility is sometimes hard to follow. On average it takes 30 minutes to complete this trail.
      29
      Mastermind
      • 100 ★ 4.4 • 4,472 ft • 0 ft • 869 •
      steep and sketchy with tight berms throught the trees, very good fun for the experienced. Muddy start.
      Short One
      • 95 ★ 3.0 • 417 ft • 0 ft • 382 •
      Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions. On average it takes minutes to complete this trail.
      Gravel Path
      • 95 ★ 0.0 • 364 ft • 7 ft • 333 • • hike
      Popular blue difficulty gravel path. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. On average it takes minutes to complete this trail.
      4
      Old School
      • 90 ★ 4.0 • 3,520 ft • 4 ft • 301 •
      Highly rated popular red difficulty singletrack. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions. On average it takes 9 minutes to complete this trail.
      5
      Streak of Lightening
      • 80 ★ 5.0 • 1 mile • 2 ft • 228 • • hike
      Popular black difficulty singletrack. This hike primary trail can be used downhill primary. On average it takes 14 minutes to complete this trail.
      Cambus O'May Bridge
      • 85 ★ 0.0 • 253 ft • 0 ft • 211 • • hike
      Popular green difficulty family friendly gravel path. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 0 ft green climb. Trail visibility is always easy to follow. On average it takes 1 minutes to complete this trail.
      Burn O'Vat Trail
      • 85 ★ 3.5 • 5,209 ft • 45 ft • 198 • • hike
      Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a easy overall physical rating with a 45 ft blue climb. On average it takes 13 minutes to complete this trail.

      Recent Ride Log Activity in Region

      Today
      • 4 rides
      Yesterday
      • 0 rides
      Past Week
      • 28 rides

      Ballater Mountain Bike Routes

      86
      Heart Break Ridge Ballater Circular
      ★ 4.2 • 11 miles • 1,604 ft • 5 • Loop •
      A circular ride from Ballater taking in Heart Break Ridge
      21
      Ballater North
      ★ 5.0 • 17 miles • 1,843 ft • 11 • Out & Back •
      A route including the best trails north of Ballater including the famous Roller Coaster.
      3
      Neither Ballater Or Aboyne
      ★ 4.0 • 17 miles • 2,613 ft • 10 •
      Loop midway between Ballater and Aboyne
      99
      Ballater highlights
      35 miles • 5,263 ft • 9 •
      Decent loop around Ballater show casing some of the high lights of the area!
      45
      Ballater - Mt Keen- HBR- Mastermind
      29 miles • 5,951 ft • 5 • Loop •
      Ebike Battery life checker
      Loch Muick Glen Clova loop
      16 miles • 3,093 ft • 0 •
      Loch Muick Glen Clova loop

      Photos of Ballater Mountain Bike

      mtb
      846 |
      Jun 24, 2017 @ 1:02am
      Jun 24, 2017
      mtb
      20 |
      May 21, 2026 @ 5:11am
      May 21, 2026
      mtb
      39 |
      May 21, 2026 @ 4:43am
      May 21, 2026
      mtb
      22 |
      May 20, 2026 @ 9:49am
      May 20, 2026
      mtb
      30 |
      May 20, 2026 @ 9:48am
      May 20, 2026
      mtb
      24 |
      May 20, 2026 @ 9:42am
      May 20, 2026
      mtb
      32 |
      May 20, 2026 @ 9:37am
      May 20, 2026
      mtb
      219 |
      Feb 24, 2025 @ 7:05am
      Feb 24, 2025
      mtb
      159 |
      Sep 22, 2024 @ 4:27am
      Sep 22, 2024
      mtb
      184 |
      Sep 22, 2024 @ 4:25am
      Sep 22, 2024
      mtb
      68 |
      Oct 24, 2023 @ 11:28am
      Oct 24, 2023
      mtb
      87 |
      Oct 24, 2023 @ 11:25am
      Oct 24, 2023

      Videos of Ballater Mountain Bike

      Craig Coillich Ballater
      mtb

      3:33 | 11 | Mar 15, 2026
      Purple gnome trail .. CraigCoilich
      mtb

      3:33 | 7 | Mar 15, 2026
      Heartbreak Ridge
      mtb
      2:13 | 63 | Oct 24, 2025
      mtb
      0:52 | 57 | Aug 11, 2020
      mtb
      0:57 | 98 | Aug 11, 2020
      Chocolate Orange
      mtb
      3:47 | 189 | Apr 15, 2019
      How to split a chocolate orange.
      mtb
      0:11 | 110 | Sep 24, 2016
      youtuber WOW what a trail! | Heartbreak Ridge Scotland
      mtb
      8:35 | 326 | Oct 5, 2025 , Ballater

      Recent Trail Reports

      statustraildateconditioninfouser
      Forest Path
      Jul 25, 2026 @ 10:21am (Europe/London)
      Jul 25, 2026
      		 IdealE-Bike Slightly overgrown, but still passabletrailmax69
      Forest Road
      Jul 25, 2026 @ 10:21am (Europe/London)
      Jul 25, 2026
      		 IdealE-Bike trailmax69
      Uphill Slog
      Jul 25, 2026 @ 10:21am (Europe/London)
      Jul 25, 2026
      		 IdealE-Bike trailmax69
      Forest Road
      Jul 25, 2026 @ 10:21am (Europe/London)
      Jul 25, 2026
      		 IdealE-Bike trailmax69
      Gravel Road
      Jul 25, 2026 @ 10:21am (Europe/London)
      Jul 25, 2026
      		 IdealE-Bike trailmax69
      Mastermind
      Jul 25, 2026 @ 10:21am (Europe/London)
      Jul 25, 2026
      		 IdealE-Bike trailmax69
      The Singletrack To Mt. Keen
      Jul 24, 2026 @ 5:09pm (Europe/London)
      Jul 24, 2026
      		 VariableA few streams and awkward sections to...w0rldexplorer
      Mounth Road
      Jul 13, 2026 @ 11:19am (Europe/London)
      Jul 13, 2026
      		 DryFaroon
      Mt Keen
      Jul 13, 2026 @ 11:19am (Europe/London)
      Jul 13, 2026
      		 DryThe walkers path is best avoided off the...Faroon
      Mount Keen South
      Jul 13, 2026 @ 11:19am (Europe/London)
      Jul 13, 2026
      		 Very DryObviously this is a tough climb - very...Faroon

      Activity Feed

      usernameactiontypetitledate
      turnertowerriddentrailactivity #103252649
      Sep 7, 2026 @ 5:51am
      2 days
      hr-rockerwishlisttrailactivity #103245691
      Sep 7, 2026 @ 1:17am
      2 days
      c0xy123wishlisttrailactivity #103243475
      Sep 7, 2026 @ 12:00am
      2 days
      DHROB92voterouteactivity #103117123
      Sep 5, 2026 @ 11:42am
      Sep 5, 2026
      highlander3wishlisttrailactivity #103105285
      Sep 5, 2026 @ 9:36am
      Sep 5, 2026

      Recent Comments

      usernametypetitlecommentdate
      PinGlasgowtrailHeartbreak RidgeAmazing trail, running well at the moment.
      Jun 15, 2026 @ 2:05pm
      Jun 15, 2026
      GoldenTurquoisetrailCulblean Hill TrackThis trail is known by other names on other...
      Apr 28, 2026 @ 3:32pm
      Apr 28, 2026
      IanDunk50reportKate MossTom , New trail should b listed on my bio page...
      Mar 21, 2026 @ 2:35am
      Mar 21, 2026
      howler986reportKate MossNoted! I only asked as I’ve come across logs...
      Mar 20, 2026 @ 8:14am
      Mar 20, 2026
      IanDunk50reportKate MossLoamer isn’t the trail , it’s a new build...
      Mar 14, 2026 @ 3:54am
      Mar 14, 2026

      Local Badges

      Local Mountain Biking Directory


      Activity Type Stats

      activitytypetrailsdistancedescentdescent distancetotal verticalratingglobal rankstate rankphotosreportsroutesactivity logs
      Mountain Bike103151 miles28,796 ft76 miles3,228 ft
      		#924#36206613119,033
      E-Bike101149 miles28,494 ft75 miles3,228 ft
      		#210#181358262,666
      Gravel Bike48101 miles15,289 ft47 miles2,493 ft
      		#295#179929
      Adaptive Bike2358 miles9,157 ft30 miles1,834 ft
      		#196#12762
      Winter Fat Bike510 miles2,333 ft5 miles1,027 ft
      		#426#1129
      Horse1932 miles3,950 ft16 miles1,663 ft
      		#341#1990
      Hike99148 miles26,588 ft74 miles3,228 ft
      		#899#2315631,217
      Trail Running99148 miles26,588 ft74 miles3,228 ft
      		#766#24563627

      Frequently Asked Questions About Ballater

      ▼ What are the best places to ride in Ballater?
      Ballater has 1 areas to explore for mountain biking. The top rated areas are:
      ▼ What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Ballater?
      The highest rated mountain biking trails in Ballater are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by rating.
      ▼ What is the best time of the year to ride in Ballater?
      Based on activity log data, the most popular months to ride in Ballater are:
      • May (113 activities)
      • September (106 activities)
      • August (97 activities)
      Check the Ballater reports page for current trail conditions, recent trail reports, and seasonal information from the local community.
      ▼ Where can I park to ride in Ballater?
      There are 7 parking locations listed in Ballater. The most popular parking spots are: View all parking and trailhead locations on the map to plan your visit.
      ▼ What is the longest trail in Ballater?
      The longest trail in Ballater is Culsten Burn Trail at 5.2 km. View all trails sorted by distance.
      ▼ What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Ballater?
      ▼ What are the best & highest rated trail running trails in Ballater?
      The best trail running trails in Ballater are: View all trail running trails sorted by popularity score.
      ▼ How many trails are in Ballater?
      Ballater has a total of 105 trails. Of those, 103 are designated for mountain biking. Browse top mountain biking trails in Ballater to find detailed information including difficulty ratings, distances, and trail conditions.
      ▼ Which trail has the most elevation gain in Ballater?
      The trail with the most elevation gain in Ballater is Waterfall Path with 656 m of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
      ▼ Which trail has the most elevation descent in Ballater?
      The trail with the most elevation descent in Ballater is Mt Keen with 547 m of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
      ▼ What activities are most popular in Ballater?
      Ballater supports the following activities: Mountain Biking, E-Biking, Gravel Biking, Adaptive Biking, Winter Fat Biking, Horseback, Hiking, Trail Running.
      ▼ What bike services are there in Ballater?
      The following bike services are available in Ballater:
      • Bike Shop (2)
      Browse the full Ballater directory for details.
      ▼ What are the steepest mountain biking trails in Ballater?
      The steepest mountain biking trail in Ballater is Waterfall Path with an average grade of 14.5%. View all trails sorted by grade.
      ▼ Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Ballater?
      Yes, there are 1 scenic viewpoints marked along trails in Ballater. Some popular viewpoints include: Explore more points of interest to find trails with the best views.
      ▼ What trails have the biggest jumps in Ballater?
      The trails with the biggest jumps in Ballater are: Browse all mountain bike trails to find trails with jumps and technical features.
      ▼ Are the trails open in Ballater?
      The overall region status for Ballater is Clear / Green. Out of 74 trails:
      • Clear / Green: 61
      • Minor Issue / Yellow: 8
      • Significant Issue / Amber: 2
      • Closed: 3
      View the full trail status page for the latest updates.
      ▼ Can I ride an ebike in Ballater?
      Yes, Ballater supports e-bike riding. There are 102 trails in Ballater that allow e-bikes. Check the e-bike trails listing for specific trail access details and any local regulations.
      ▼ What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Ballater?
      ▼ What type of bike is most common in Ballater?
      Based on activity log data, the most common bike types used in Ballater are:
      • AM (59 activities)
      Check the Ballater activity logs for more details.
      ▼ What is the highest summit in Ballater?
      The highest summit in Ballater is Cac Càrn Mòr at 1,144 m elevation.
      ▼ What are the most popular Strava Segments in Ballater?
      The most popular Strava segments in Ballater are:
      • Bridge 300 layby (6,216 athletes)
      • Corrienearn (5,199 athletes)
      • Bellamore (4,840 athletes)
      View all Strava segments in Ballater.
      ▼ What trails are closed in Ballater?
      There are currently 3 closed trails in Ballater. The breakdown of all trail statuses is:
      • Clear / Green: 61
      • Minor Issue / Yellow: 8
      • Significant Issue / Amber: 2
      • Closed: 3
      View all closed trails for the latest updates.
      ▼ Are there accessible or adaptive trails in Ballater?
      Yes, there are 23 accessible/adaptive trails in Ballater. View all adaptive trails in Ballater for specific accessibility information.
      ▼ What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Ballater?
      ▼ What are the best beginner ride trails in Ballater?
      The best beginner mountain biking trails in Ballater are: View all beginner mountain biking trails in Ballater.
      • By eastfyfesTF Pro TARLAND ENMBC & contributors
      • Admins: DMBinS, FLS, ATA, NEAT
      • #16418 - 33,078 views

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