Please note - the Bike Park has a new track layout, so have a look at it before you ride.
The Red Rock trails at Learnie: 16km of trails for all skill levels, combined with some of the best views from any mountain bike trails, anywhere!
There are green, blue, and black graded trails, with a bike park and a dirt jump area (both graded orange). Even our green grade singletrack is not 'billiard table' smooth - it gives a sufficient challenge for those wanting more than just forest road-type mountain biking.
See the trail grades page for full descriptions of these grades.
Facilities and contact details are listed after the trail description.
Trail Map
- Download the Learnie Red Rock trails map (PDF 848kb)
There's also a copy of the map on the interpretation panel in the Red Rock car park.
The trails
The trailhead is at the Red Rock car park, OS grid ref NH736 614. (See how to get there). Right beside the car park is the Dirt Jump area. From the car park, a stretch of forest road takes you to the start of the trails. At the fork in the forest road, turn right to get to the start of Home Green and Callachy Hill, or bear left for the start of the Muirhead Climb.
The Dirt Jump area
An orange-graded area built especially for the art of dirt jumping. There are three different levels of jump available, from beginner to expert.
Home Green
The 500m-long home green is a great introduction to singletrack riding, with features such as double jumps and tabletops. All the features can be rolled over and taken at slow speed. If you're looking to get a flavour of what mountain biking is about, this is ideal.
Keep on the forest road past the start of Home Green to reach the Callachy Hill Climb.
Callachy Hill Climb
Around 1.5km of blue-graded climb that will take you to the top of Callachy Hill without too much effort. The trail winds its way through Larch trees which provide plenty of variety all year around. Near the top look out for the Bronze Age burial cairn in the cleared area. At the top, you'll pass the start of the bike park.
Bike Park - note new track layout!
The bike park is an orange-graded downhill trail. Go as hard or as soft as you like, depending on your experience. Great fun for everyone, with its large, bermed corners, tabletops and double jumps. You can pick up some speed here too.
Carry on past the start of the bike park to get to the blue-graded Callachy Descent. There's also the option to turn right onto a short stretch of green-graded singletrack (the Green Link) taking you back onto forest road.
Callachy Descent
1.3km of sheer, blue-graded delight. This trail twists and turns and twists and turns all the way through the forest. Watch you don’t get too dizzy! At the bottom, turn right onto the forest road and follow it for a short distance to reach the start of the Muirhead Climb.
Muirhead Climb
Another gentle, blue-graded climb through mature spruce, then smaller pine, which pops you out at the top of the hill. At the end of the trail, turn left onto the forest road and take care crossing the public road to reach the Firth View, and Learnie Hill trails.
Firth View
A blue-graded trail that brings you out onto one of the best viewpoints ever seen from a mountain bike trail. Take time to sit on the bench and gaze on the wonderful views up and down the firth. On the way down from the viewpoint look out for the boulder boulevard - a small section of stone which is a good little test.
Learnie Hill
From the public road, follow the forest road past the start of the Firth View trail to reach the black-graded Learnie Hill trail. This has the lot: technical climbs and descents that give the rider a new challenge at every turn.
The quarry climb
The long climb up to the top of the quarry is tough, but a good challenge. Why not rest have a drink at the bench as you look towards Fortrose?
Tracy's trees
The next big challenge is Tracy’s Trees, a downhill rock feature that is not for the faint hearted. If you are faint hearted, fear not - there's a bypass!
Seisometer to Mephisto
The section after Tracy's Trees contains more rock features including the Seisometer, the twisty, rocky Gyroscope and the unique rock horseshoe called Dextrality. The final section of Learnie Hill is a fun, swoopy downhill route with some smaller stone features and north shore style timber trail. To finish, there's Mephisto - a 10-foot stone-pitched drop from the bank to the road. A devil to finish with!
Facilities
Parking
Free parking for 20 cars is available at the Red Rock car park. The car park is open 7 days and is open to all forest users.
Toilets
Public toilets are available in Rosemarkie and Cromarty.
Cafes / food & drink
Local amenities are available in Rosemarkie and Cromarty, which have a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs.
Bike hire
Bike hire is available in the area. See the Cromarty community website for more information.
Contact
For any Learnie Red Rock queries please contact Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District.
Email: invernessross&skye@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Telephone: 01463 791575
Forestry Commission Scotland
Inverness, Ross and Skye Forest District
Tower Road, Smithton
Inverness
IV2 7NL
Learnie Red Rock Trails is a partnership between the following organisations:
