highland-east

Balblair Woods

A small Forestry and Land Scotland trail network near Bonar Bridge with short blue and red singletrack loops. Limited scope but a useful stop for riders passing through to the far north.

Quick facts

Trails: 10 km
Parking: free
Postcode: IV24 3EB
Mobile signal: No signal in the forest. EE/Vodafone on the A9 and in Bonar Bridge village.
Best for: Riders en route to the far north looking for a short leg-stretcher.
Not for: Experienced riders expecting technical black-grade terrain or on-site facilities. This is a short forest circuit with no infrastructure.

Trails open· Last checked 14 April 2026

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Trails

Blue
Red

Trail	Grade	km
Blue loopTight bends, some rooty sections, manageable for confident beginnersHardpack singletrack	Blue	4 km
Red loopMore technical rock sections, loose gravel corners, some dropsHardpack singletrack and natural rock	Red	6 km

10 km total 4 km Blue6 km Red

Facilities

Cafe2km in Bonar Bridge village
Bike wash
Bike hire
Bike shop25km — Square Wheels in Strathpeffer
Uplift service
Skills area
Pump track
Toilets
Showers

Our take

Balblair exists because the far north needs a trail centre and Highland Wildcat is the only serious alternative. It's short, rough and genuinely quiet. Ride it as a warm-up on the way to Wildcat or as a rest-day spin if you're staying in Bonar Bridge.

Insider tips

Combine with Bonar Bridge village for post-ride food. Under an hour from Inverness if you take the A9.

Accommodation

Bonar Bridge, Ardgay or Dornoch for accommodation.

Food

Nothing on site. Bonar Bridge village has a couple of cafes.

When to ride

Pair with

Far North Weekend

Balblair as the day 1 leg-stretcher — short, local, easy on tired legs after a long drive. Wildcat on day 2 for the longest descent in the UK. Stay in Bonar Bridge between days.

1 night