These 5 mountain biking Trails in Belfast broke and built me!
I was looking for a healthy activity to change my couch potato routine, and my friend suggested we try mountain biking. That’s because for him, it’s just a casual sport.
When we got to the trail, he promised, ‘It’s just a wee hill’—but it immediately turned into a nightmarish climb that made me question everything in my life. I quietly swore revenge by training so hard to beat him at his own game someday.
And after months of consistent riding, I became so happy (and smug) when I finally overtook my ultra-fit friend on an advanced route! Here are the mountain biking trails in Belfast that helped me transition from a beginner to a seasoned rider.
1. Davagh Forest Trails – Mountain Bike NI
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Website: http://www.mountainbikeni.com/davagh-forest
Address: Davagh Rd, Omagh
Contact Details: +44 28 8676 0681, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Trail Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
Fees:
- Bike Hire
- Sperrin – from £25
- Bike Mourne – from £39.50
- Tuition & Guiding
- Mountain Bike Essentials Training Davagh – from £60
- Mountain Bike Essentials Training Davagh 2 – from £70
Davagh Forest Trails are among the top mountain biking trails in Belfast for adventure seekers. It’s got a cool mix of routes, terrains, and experiences, which makes it a convenient regular weekend spot for bikers.
This trail is also great for all types of skills, given its versatility with its wide paths, forgiving corners, moderate climbs, and the like.
Pro tip:
Download its trail map before heading to Davagh Forest Trails! Your mobile signal could get spotty in the forest, so it’s better safe than sorry with an offline guide.
2. Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails
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Website: http://www.mountainbikeni.com/castlewellan/
Address: Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan
Contact Details: +44 28 4377 0714, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Trail Difficulty Level: Beginner to Advanced
Fees:
- Bike Hire
- Life Adventure Centre – from £29.50
- Tuition & Guiding
- Bike Mourne – need to enquire
Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails offer some of the most majestic sights in Belfast (or Northern Ireland as a whole). Its trails wind past woodlands, rolling hills, and lakes, so you’re bound to get ample exercise with a visual feast.
On top of that, you can choose from the family-friendly loops or the steep and rocky technical sections, depending on your preferences or workout mood for the day.
Smart hack:
Don’t forget to warm up on the Green Route and pace yourself well at Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails! You’ll need the extra energy for when you brave the red trails with long, uphill sections.
3. Colin Glen
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Website: http://www.colinglen.org/
Address: 28 Colinglen Rd
Contact Details: +44 28 9061 4115, [email protected], Contact Form
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Trail Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
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Colin Glen is the city’s very own urban adventure park with its various trails and rolling hills. Many mountain bikers in Belfast like it because of its accessibility—it’s only about 15 minutes from the city centre!
There are several convenient amenities as well. There’s parking, an on-site cafe, toilets, and bike hire available. And beyond biking, you can go for Ireland’s longest zipline here, great for families and any daredevil crew.
Nifty trick:
It’s best to pack light snacks at Colin Glen! While there are a few facilities nearby, you never know when you’ll need a quick energy boost on the trail.
4. Black Mountain
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Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/divis-and-the-black-mountain
Address: Divis Rd, Hannahstown
Contact Details: 02890825434, [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Countryside – Dawn to Dusk
- Car Park Upper – 9 AM to 6 PM
- Car Park Lower – Dawn to Dusk
- Barn Cafe – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Toilets – 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
Trail Difficulty Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Belfast’s Black Mountain trail overlooks the city with its beautiful 360-degree views. Compared to other trails, this one stands out with a more natural or rugged vibe. This is especially true if you enjoy raw terrain or open landscapes over the purpose-built ones.
It’s also a popular walking destination, so don’t be surprised if you share paths with hikers and joggers. There’s a small cafe nearby too!
Must-do move:
Use durable tires on the Black Mountain trails! The surfaces here are quite rocky and uneven, so they can be pretty tough on lightweight mountain bikes.
5. Mary Peters Track
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Website: https://www.marypeterstrack.com/
Address: Upper Malone Road
Contact Details: +44 28 9060 0870 (Mary Peters Track Office), 02890 602 707 (Athletics NI Office), [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 4:30 PM
Trail Difficulty Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Membership Fees (from July 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026):
- Concession (juniors under 18) – £86.25
- Family Membership – £198.75
- Concession (students) – £90
- Adult (registered club member) – £108.75
Though it’s known as an athletics museum, you can also go to Mary Peters Track for mountain biking and other kinds of exercise, like walking and running.
You can find diverse landscapes, from small wooded sections for shelter to gentle hill climbs and flowing paths. It’s not too steep here as well, so the biking trails look fit for kids and newbies to the sport.
Expert advice:
It’s smart to take a lightweight bike to Mary Peters Track since its shorter trails don’t really demand the heavier setups. For many, the XC bikes (or cross-country mountain bikes) work best!