Central Belt
Cathkin Braes
Glasgow's own trail centre, built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games XC course and still fun riding 10 years on.
Quick facts
- Trails
- 10 km
- Parking
- free
- Postcode
- G45 0HW
- Mobile signal
- Good signal throughout — Glasgow suburbs.
- Best for
- Glasgow locals, after-work blasts, beginners.
- Not for
- Big-mountain riders chasing alpine descents — Cathkin is a compact urban-edge venue with ~9 km of trails, not a full day's riding.
Trails open· Last checked 14 May 2026
Trails
- Green
- Blue
- Red
| Trail | Grade | km |
|---|---|---|
| Cathkin Red (Commonwealth Games XC course)2014 Commonwealth Games figure-of-eight course — drops, berms, exposed bedrock, steep descents, climbs, water splash, steps; sections Propeller Point, Double Dare, Rest and Be Thankful, Broken Biscuits, Brig O'Doom, Clyde ClimbHardpack, bedrock, flagstone and natural rock | Red | 5.5 km |
| Cathkin Red Jump Lineone-way20+ tables, doubles and gaps added in the 2023 upgradeBuilt jump line | Red | 0.65 km |
| Cathkin BlueProgression loop alongside the redHardpack | Blue | 0.8 km |
| Velosolutions Pump Track260m sculpted asphalt pump track with rollers and gap options, within 50m of the car parkAsphalt | Blue | 0.26 km |
| Skills LoopDedicated skills area for technique practiceHardpack | Green | 0.3 km |
Facilities
- CafeNo on-site cafe — nearest options in Castlemilk or Carmunnock village (~1–2 km)
- Bike washNo bike wash on site — closest shops with wash facilities are in central/southside Glasgow
- Bike hire
- Bike shop
- Uplift service
- Skills area
- Pump track
- ToiletsNo permanent toilet block at the trailhead — nearest public facilities in Castlemilk
- Showers
Our take
Cathkin is a 25-minute drive from Glasgow city centre and delivers a surprisingly good short ride — the old Commonwealth Games XC loop is still intact and is a brilliant hour of riding. Not a destination, but a brilliant after-work venue for anyone in the city.
Insider tips
Pair with Mugdock Country Park to the north for a fuller day out.
Accommodation
Not applicable — it's in Glasgow.
Food
Nothing on site. Cafe options in Castlemilk or back in town.
When to ride
Pair with
Cathkin Braes for purpose-built jumps and skills work, Carron Valley for the natural-feeling singletrack. Both an easy day-trip from Glasgow.
Drive times
- Glasgow0h 25m
- Edinburgh1h 10m
- Inverness4h 30m
- Aberdeen3h 20m
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 04:42
- Sunset
- 21:47
- Civil dawn
- 03:45
- Civil dusk
- 22:44
NOAA Solar Calculator · 31 May 2026
Share your experience
Ridden Cathkin Braes? Help other riders plan their visit.
After the ride
Travel context and post-ride food and drink — on the SCOT network.