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Trail Conditions
- Unknown
- Snow Groomed
- Snow Packed
- Snow Covered
- Snow Cover Partial
- Freeze/thaw Cycle
- Icy
- Prevalent Mud
- Wet
- Variable
- Ideal
- Dry
- Very Dry
Trail Flow (Ridden Direction)
Trailforks scans users activity logs to determine the most popular direction each trail is ridden. A good flowing trail network will have most trails flowing in a single direction according to their intension.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
The colour categories are based on what percentage of users are riding a trail in its intended direction.
- > 96%
- > 90%
- > 80%
- > 70%
- > 50%
- < 50%
- bi-directional trail
- no data
Trail Last Used
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine the last time a trail was ridden.
- < 2 days
- < 1 week
- < 2 weeks
- < 1 month
- < 6 months
- > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
- Downhill Only
- Downhill Primary
- Both Directions
- Uphill Primary
- Uphill Only
- One Direction
Contribute Details
Colors indicate trail is missing specified detail.
- Description
- Photos
- Description & Photos
- Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans activity logs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months.
Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades.
Think of this as a heatmap, more activities = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
- most popular
- popular
- less popular
- not popular
ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
inches
US Cell Coverage
Legend
Radar Time
Activity Recordings
Trailforks uses anonymized public activity data.
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Activity Recordings
Trailforks uses anonymized public activity data.
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Winter Trails
Warning
A routing network for winter maps does not exist. Selecting trails using the winter trails layer has been disabled.
Missing Trails
Most Popular
Least Popular
Trails are colored based on popularity. The more popular a trail is, the more red. Less popular trails trend towards green.
Jump Magnitude Heatmap
Heatmap of where users jump on trails. Zoom in to see individual jumps, click circles to view jump details.
BC Backroad Status
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Service Road Atlas is a free to use, community-driven service for viewing and creating reports on the numerous back-country service roads around B.C. and Alberta.
Slope Aspect
Direction the slope faces
Trails Deemphasized
Trails are shown in grey.
Only show trails with no bike usage.
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SaveBallater (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.
Trail info last updated
Activities Click to view
- 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 trails
Region Details
- 42
- 28
- 13
- 5
- 15
Region Status
Open as of Oct 5, 2026
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
- 29,012 ft
- Total Vertical
- 3,230 ft
- Highest Trailhead
- 3,756 ft
- Reports
- 649
- Photos
- 223
- Completed Counter
- 23,122
Articles
Video & Photo Story: Unreal Single Track in Scotland with Scotty Laughland
Nov 24, 2021 from pinkbike.com
Some incredible looking trails.
Sub Regions
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Pannanich
- 4
- 2
- 5
Popular Ballater Mountain Biking Trails
• 100 ★ 4.6 • 2 miles • 18 ft • 1,426 • • 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 29 minutes to complete this trail.
• 100 ★ 4.4 • 4,472 ft • 0 ft • 890 •
steep and sketchy with tight berms throught the trees, very good fun for the experienced. Muddy start.
• 95 ★ 3.0 • 417 ft • 0 ft • 391 •
Popular blue difficulty singletrack. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions. On average it takes minutes to complete this trail.
• 90 ★ 0.0 • 364 ft • 7 ft • 340 • • hike
Popular blue difficulty gravel path. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. On average it takes minutes to complete this trail.
• 80 ★ 4.0 • 3,520 ft • 4 ft • 308 •
Highly rated popular red difficulty singletrack. This mountain bike primary trail can be used both directions. On average it takes 8 minutes to complete this trail.
• 65 ★ 5.0 • 1 mile • 2 ft • 232 • • hike
Moderately popular black difficulty singletrack. This hike primary trail can be used downhill primary. On average it takes 16 minutes to complete this trail.
• 90 ★ 0.0 • 253 ft • 0 ft • 217 • • 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 3 minutes to complete this trail.
• 90 ★ 3.5 • 5,209 ft • 45 ft • 202 • • 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 9 minutes to complete this trail.
Ballater Mountain Bike Routes
★ 4.2 • 11 miles • 1,604 ft • 5 • Loop •
A circular ride from Ballater taking in Heart Break Ridge
★ 5.0 • 17 miles • 1,843 ft • 11 • Out & Back •
A route including the best trails north of Ballater including the famous Roller Coaster.
35 miles • 5,263 ft • 9 •
Decent loop around Ballater show casing some of the high lights of the area!
★ 4.0 • 17 miles • 2,613 ft • 10 •
Loop midway between Ballater and Aboyne
Photos of Ballater Mountain Bike
Videos of Ballater Mountain Bike
mtb
3:33 |
11 |
Mar 15, 2026
mtb
3:33 |
12 |
Mar 15, 2026
Recent Trail Reports
| status | trail | date | condition | info | user |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Purple Gnome | Oct 6, 2026 @ 12:05am (Europe/London) Oct 5, 2026 | Ideal | Chris-Redmond TARLAND | ||
| Forest Road | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Gravel Path | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Path | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Culsten Birch Wood | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Pannanich Trail | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Uphill Slog | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Landdrover Track | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Culsten Burn Trail | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 | ||
| Mastermind | Oct 3, 2026 @ 11:23am (Europe/London) Oct 3, 2026 | Ideal | trailmax69 |
Activity Feed
| username | action | type | title | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YgLS0e | wishlist | trail | activity #106270852 | Oct 20, 2026 @ 9:49am Oct 20, 2026 |
| rocktapa | wishlist | trail | activity #105802981 and 3 more | Oct 13, 2026 @ 5:50am Oct 13, 2026 |
| rocktapa | wishlist | trail | activity #105802577 | Oct 13, 2026 @ 5:39am Oct 13, 2026 |
| gothandy | wishlist | trail | activity #105520747 | Oct 9, 2026 @ 3:52am Oct 9, 2026 |
| captainuncertain | wishlist | trail | activity #105320901 | Oct 6, 2026 @ 12:26am Oct 6, 2026 |
Recent Comments
| username | type | title | comment | date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trail | Amazing trail, running well at the moment. | Jun 15, 2026 @ 2:05pm Jun 15, 2026 | ||
| trail | This trail is known by other names on other... | Apr 28, 2026 @ 3:32pm Apr 28, 2026 | ||
| report | Tom , New trail should b listed on my bio page... | Mar 21, 2026 @ 2:35am Mar 21, 2026 | ||
| report | Noted! I only asked as I’ve come across logs... | Mar 20, 2026 @ 8:14am Mar 20, 2026 | ||
| report | Loamer isn’t the trail , it’s a new build... | Mar 14, 2026 @ 3:54am Mar 14, 2026 |
Local Badges
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Epic Ride Climb 2k95 awarded -
Climbing 10k Badge63 awarded -
Climbing 100k Badge1 awarded -
Epic Ride Descent 2k96 awarded -
Descent 10k Badge64 awarded -
Descent 100k Badge1 awarded
Activity Type Stats
| activitytype | trails | distance | descent | descent distance | total vertical | rating | global rank | state rank | photos | reports | routes | activity logs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Bike | 103 | 151 miles | 28,993 ft | 76 miles | 3,228 ft | #923 | #37 | 209 | 642 | 11 | 9,252 | |
| E-Bike | 101 | 149 miles | 28,691 ft | 75 miles | 3,228 ft | #208 | #19 | 10 | 610 | 6 | 2,839 | |
| Gravel Bike | 48 | 101 miles | 15,289 ft | 47 miles | 2,493 ft | #297 | #17 | 99 | 31 | |||
| Adaptive Bike | 23 | 58 miles | 9,157 ft | 30 miles | 1,834 ft | #207 | #13 | 76 | 2 | |||
| Winter Fat Bike | 5 | 10 miles | 2,333 ft | 5 miles | 1,027 ft | #439 | #12 | 29 | ||||
| Horse | 19 | 32 miles | 3,950 ft | 16 miles | 1,663 ft | #340 | #19 | 93 | ||||
| Hike | 99 | 148 miles | 26,588 ft | 74 miles | 3,228 ft | #907 | #23 | 4 | 590 | 1,256 | ||
| Trail Running | 99 | 148 miles | 26,588 ft | 74 miles | 3,228 ft | #772 | #24 | 590 | 633 |
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the best places to ride in Ballater?
Ballater has 1 areas to explore for mountain biking. The top rated areas are:
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What are the highest rated mountain biking trails in Ballater?
The highest rated mountain biking trails in Ballater are:
- Heartbreak Ridge (4.5/5)
- Storm (4.5/5)
- Mastermind (4.3/5)
- Culsten Burn Trail (4.1/5)
- Kate Moss (4.1/5)
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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.
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What is the longest trail in Ballater?
The longest trail in Ballater is Culsten Burn Trail at 3.2 miles. View all trails sorted by distance.
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What are the best & highest rated hiking trails in Ballater?
The best hiking trails in Ballater are: View all hiking trails sorted by popularity score.
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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.
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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.
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Which trail has the most elevation gain in Ballater?
The trail with the most elevation gain in Ballater is Waterfall Path with 2,151 ft of elevation gain. View all trails sorted by elevation gain.
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Which trail has the most elevation descent in Ballater?
The trail with the most elevation descent in Ballater is Mt Keen with 1,795 ft of elevation descent. View all trails sorted by elevation descent.
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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.
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What bike services are there in Ballater?
The following bike services are available in Ballater:
- Bike Shop (2)
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Are the trails open in Ballater?
The overall region status for Ballater is Clear / Green. Out of 75 trails:
- Clear / Green: 63
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 8
- Significant Issue / Amber: 2
- Closed: 2
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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.
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What are the most popular mountain biking routes in Ballater?
The most popular mountain biking routes in Ballater are: View all mountain biking routes in Ballater.
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What is the highest summit in Ballater?
The highest summit in Ballater is Cac Càrn Mòr at 3,753 ft elevation.
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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)
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What trails are closed in Ballater?
There are currently 2 closed trails in Ballater. The breakdown of all trail statuses is:
- Clear / Green: 63
- Minor Issue / Yellow: 8
- Significant Issue / Amber: 2
- Closed: 2
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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.
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What are the most popular mountain biking trails in Ballater?
The most popular mountain biking trails in Ballater are: View all mountain biking trails sorted by popularity.
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What are the best beginner ride trails in Ballater?
The best beginner mountain biking trails in Ballater are:
- Cambus Trail 3 (2/5)
- Cambus O'May Bridge (0/5)
- Path (0/5)
Activities
Trails
Points of Interest
- ballater activity log | embed map of Ballater mountain bike trails | ballater mountain biking points of interest polygons
Downloading of trail gps tracks in kml & gpx formats is enabled for Ballater.
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