Legend has it that the Witch of Leanachan (“lee-nach-an”) fled to the hills of Aonach Mor in the 1800s. Keeping her spooky spirit alive, the world-famous Witch’s Trails continue to bewitch mountain bikers.
Leanachan Forest also has plenty of unwaymarked forest road for you to explore. All the forest roads are indicated on the trail map.
- Download the Witch's Trails map and leaflet (PDF 1.8Mb)
A pocket map and guide can also be purchased from the Forestry Commission Scotland office, Nevis Cycles, Nevis Range and Off Beat Bikes, at a cost of £1. See facilities and contacts, below.
The trails
The Skills Loops
There are green, blue, red and black-graded skills loops here with terrain similar to what you will find on the trails. Each loop is only a couple of hundred meters long, but packed with features. If you're not sure which level of trail is right for you, the skills loops will help you decide. See the trail grades page for full explanations of the trail grades.
The waymarked trails
There are three different trails for you to try.
Broomstick Blue
Bubbling around the River Lundy, this blue-graded trail is place to start. at 7km, with plenty of flowing singletrack, this is the witch’s friendly side!
Witch's World Champs trail
Specially devised for the 2007 World Championships held here, this 8.5km, world-class singletrack loop features 270m of climb and descent. It's red-graded, but has black-graded options along the way. Technical features, hard climbs and fast descents on exhilarating singletrack.
10 Under The Ben,
Red-graded with black options, 10 Under the Ben is used for the big event of the same title each year in June. This 16.5km loop trail is a mix of dedicated singletrack and forest road. Watch out for Nessie - a real monster of a descent! For more information on the 10 Under the Ben event, see www.nofussevents.co.uk.
Aside from the trails, the trail map (PDF 1.8Mb) has many of the ridable forest roads marked.
Nevis Range trails
Brief details of the Nevis Range downhill track and their red-graded XC trail are on our trail map, or for further details, see the Nevis Range website.
Where do the trails start?
All the trails start from the Forestry Commission Car Park. You are directed to the car park by green Forestry Commission signs along the Aonach Mor access road. The Aonach Mor access road is signposted off the A82 with brown tourist signs for cable car / Nevis Range gondola.
The Forestry Commission car park is to the east of the Nevis Range car park. OS Grid Ref: NN174775.
See How to get to the Witch's Trails for full details.
Facilities
Parking
You can park at the Forestry Commission car park beside the Nevis Range. Follow green signposts.
Toilets
Public toilets are available at the Nevis Range during opening hours. There are also public toilets at Spean Bridge near the shops.
Cafes / food & drink
There is a cafe at the Nevis Range base station (see the Nevis Range website for opening hours). Local services and shops are available at Spean Bridge.
Bike and equipment hire
- Nevis Range. See www.nevisrange.co.uk for details
- Off Beat bikes, 117 High Street, Fort William. Call 01397 704008, email info@offbeatbikes.co.uk or visit www.offbeatbikes.co.uk
- Nevis Cycles, 4 Lochy Crescent, Inverlochy, Fort William. Call 01397 705555, email john@neviscycles.com or visit www.neviscycles.com.
Contact
For any Witch's Trails or Leanachan Forest queries, please contact Lochaber Forest District:
Email: lochaber@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 01397 702184
Forestry Commission Scotland
Lochaber Forest District
Torlundy,
By Fort William
PH33 6SW
