Glencoldon Cycle Haven
Cycling at Glencoldon Cottage: Road, Trail & Family Fun
One of the reasons the Cairngorm area is an all-year-round hotspot is due to the fantastic cycling on offer. The cottage location could hardly be better, as the garden opens onto the Speyside Way! There are literally hundreds of potential on- and off-road routes to ride for cycling enthusiasts, young and old, directly from the front gate.
The cottage is cycle-friendly with near by amenities to get you out on your wheels:
- Clothes washing / drying facilities (indoor & outdoor)
- Purpose-built cycle store with shelter from the elements and high security (internal secure cycle hoop and external locking doors)
- Maps, reference, WiFi accessible WWW information all available at the cottage (OS Grid Ref: NH93791812, Poscode: PH24 3BP)
- Boat of Garten has a great bike shop (Ride Cairngorms) with cycle equipment, repair and rental (including e-bikes) are all available, along with fantastic local advice.
- Local shop / Post Office is open very early, does great filled rolls, sandwiches, pastries, etc. for your ride, so you can hit the track early!
“Nothing compares to the simple pleasure of riding a bike” – John F Kennedy
👨👩👧👦 For Families & Beginners – Short & Easy Rides
- Village pump park – great for kids to build confidence and have fun. See “Woodland Wheels” facebook page for more information on this fantastic village asset.
- Forest paths & riverside trails – flat, gentle routes for younger riders
- Speyside Way to Nethy Bridge or Aviemore
- Loch Garten / Mallachie
“I don’t ride a bike to add days to my life. I ride a bike to add life to my days” – Unknown
🚴♀️ Road Cycling
- Quiet, scenic Highland roads with stunning views
- Great loops via Boat of Garten, Nethy Bridge, Loch Garten and more
- Suitable for both short and long day rides
🏞️ Off-Road & Trail Riding – Lengthy & Challenging
- Glenmore Forest & Rothiemurchus – woodland trails for all abilities
- Cairngorms National Park Mountain Biking – mix of mellow and more technical terrain
- Good MTB access near Aviemore
- National Cycle Route 7 [passes within 1 mile]
- “Snow Roads”
- Abernethy Forest into the heart of the Cairngorm Mountains, etc., etc.
“To me, it doesn’t matter whether it’s raining or the sun is shining or whatever: as long as I’m riding a bike I know I’m the luckiest guy in the world” – Mark Cavendish
🧭 Route Planning & Resources
- Visit Cairngorms Cycling Guide — trail maps, routes & tips
- Sustrans – Find A Route on the National Network
- In 2024, Cairngorms business and recreation groups launched digital self-guided cycling routes with turn-by-turn instructions via platforms like Ride With GPS – designed to minimise environmental impact and highlight points of interest. As they put it: “Get inspired – not lost.”
🎥 Be Inspired
These videos show off the local beauty — and might just get you in the saddle:
🚲 Final Tips
- Pack layers – the Highlands can change fast
- Always check trail conditions after rain
- Great cafés and picnic stops along most routes – see Locations & Activities Page for local delights.
“When the spirits are low, when the day appears dark, when work becomes monotonous, when hope hardly seems worth having, just mount a bicycle and go out for a spin down the road, without thought on anything but the ride you are taking”
– Arthur Conan Doyle
More on Cycling in the Cairngorms
- For more on the pump track achievement and other developments see our “Big Up The Bikes” blog post!
- We’ve also blogged a wee bit about it in Cairngorms Adventures + Music To Our Ears!