Fort William is a good centre for mountain biking. You can cycle alongside the Caledonian Canal, or do trails through the local forests. The Great Glen Cycle Route starts at the end of the Canal just below the house; you can do all or just parts of it. There are trails to suit all standards and several places where you can hire or purchase bikes or gear.

Bike Hire & Bike repair

Off Beat Bikes - keen mountain bikers and run the shop and do bike hire in the High Street, Fort William.

Nevis Cycles - Inverlochy easily accessible.

Rhiw Goch - Ron Gretton hires bikes. Being right next to the canal gets you straight onto the towpath and the Great Glen Cycle Route.

In Spean Bridge Neal Parrish repairs and custom builds bikes, he is well placed for the tracks of Leanachan forest without the need to go on any main roads.

Places to Go

The Great Glen Cycle Route - A cycle track from Fort William to Inverness. You do not have to do the whole lot. It can be done in short sections. If you do go to Inverness and wonder how to get your bike back. Try Falconer Courier 07831 252940 who charge about £15 per bike.

Leanachan Forest. - 4 miles from Fort William on the A82 towards Inverness Leanachan forest has a large network of tracks and forest roads. You can start anywhere but easiest are from Torlundy, The Nevis Range car park or Spean Bridge. Nevis Range is the base for the Downhill track. You can go to the top of the track by the gondola with your bike and then cycle down. The experts take only 5 minutes! Leanachan and the downhill route below the Nevis Range Gondola has been the base for several recent championships.

Other Forests - Glen Loy, Glen Nevis, Ballachulish, Fassfern, Inchree, Glenfinnan

Advice - If at all possible avoid cycling on the A82. It is narrow and busy. There are other ways.