Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails

About

On the shores of Carlingford Lough, the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails offer challenging and rewarding mountain biking, giving both body and mind a complete workout. Every climb is rewarded with increadible coastal views across the lough with views of Rostrevor Forest and Kilbroney Park, all just minutes away from the village of Rostrevor.

You can explore the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails on a self-guided exploration. The official trailhead provider Bike Mourne offers mountain bike hire along with the resources, advice and support services, including mountain bike uplifts so you can get to the top quickly to begin your next giant adventure.

Cycling in Rostrevor

Looking for a giant cycling adventure with your family?  Impress your party and hire bikes (we reccommend adults try out electric bikes) onsite from Bike Mourne.  Starting from the trailhead (in the main car park), the Bike Mourne crew member will guide you on what route(s) to follow so you can loop back to where you started, depending on levels of fitness and time required.   Following your cycle, take a walk through Kilbroney Park, right into Rostrevor Village and explore what's on offer ... from ice cream to sitting in a beautifully refurbished 18th century building which is Rostrevor Inn . Make sure to call with Belinda at Good Craic Gifts and Souvenirs for evenmore ideas of what to do, recommendations of where to go and pick up some souvenirs, definitely something there to suit everyone.  

Find out more about hiring a bike in Rostrevor, just click to book online. Go further, see more and feel awsome!

Red Trail

Believed to be the top spot for mountain biking in Ireland, the 27km red trail will start off with a lung-busting ascent to the heights of Slievemartin, where you can rest assured if the climb hasn’t taken your breath away, the fabulous views over Carlingford Lough will take care of this for you.  Pause for a moment at Kodak Corner and take in the view - one to take your breath away. 

You will then be able to enjoy a number of exciting descents and section of northshore over to Yellow Water where the trail turns back and follows the Kilbroney Valley back to the trailhead.

Red trails are more suited to proficient mountain bikers with good off-road riding skills.

Latest Update: Open (with diversions) Sections 22-25 and 40-44 remain closed due to extensive storm damage. 

Black Trail

The 19km black trail follows the same route as the red trail to the summit of Slievemartin and around Slievebane before splitting off at Rostrevor Forest.

This trail then navigates a heart-racing section of technical singletrack to meet the return route along Kilbroney Valley back to the trailhead. This is a challenging route only suitable for experienced mountain bikers.
Latest Update: Open

Black Trails are more suited to expert mountain bike users, used to physically demanding routes.  Quality off-road mountain bikes.

Orange Trail

The Orange Trails are purpose-built downhill lines designed for riders with strong technical skills and confidence on the bike. These routes stand apart from the longer cross-country Red (intermediate) and Black (advanced) loops. There are two main Orange trails: Mega Mission and On the Pulse.

Mega Mission has been created to dial the fun factor right up. Starting on the southern slopes of Slievebane, this lightning-fast downhill run pushes bike handling skills to the limit, with big jumps, sweeping berms and hidden booters around every corner.

On the Pulse is a highly technical trail that works with the natural terrain. Boulder fields, drop-offs and occasional gap jumps challenge even seasoned riders and reward precise control and speed.

5 Reasons Why Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails are Iconic

1) Sheer scale and summit views

Rostrevor is the largest trail centre in Northern Ireland and among the biggest on the island of Ireland. It boasts a 27km red loop, a 19km black loop, and two dedicated downhill lines from the summit. This scale is matched by the scenery. The main climb carries you towards Slievemartin where views open over Carlingford Lough and across to the Cooley Mountains. It feels epic, a genuine adventure, and the payoff on the way down again is unforgettable.

2) Kodak Corner

Speaking of views, Kodak Corner is one of the most distinctive photo spots in all of outdoor sport in Northern Ireland. The panorama over Carlingford Lough is the kind that stops you in your tracks.

3) The downhill double

Rostrevor is home to Northern Ireland’s only purpose built and official downhill tracks, with uplift served by trailhead provider Bike Mourne. Mega Mission is fast and flowing with some deliciously wide berms and room for gnarly jumps. On the Pulse meanwhile is a more technical beast with a distinctive rock garden special. This section also featured as the finale to the Red Bull Foxhunt course at Rostrevor!

4) A village that fuels the ride

Good trails are made great by the area that surrounds and services the riders who visit them, and that is absolutely true for Rostrevor. You can start your day in the village for a proper breakfast and coffee, then roll to Kilbroney Park to meet Bike Mourne for bike hire, uplifts (make sure to book in advance!) and routing advice.

5) That Mournes Vibe

Riding in Rostrevor successfully captures that feeling of being away from it all in the best possible way, in the heart of Northern Ireland’s highest mountain range. Views, forest, river valleys and open sky create a sense of escape, and there is always something happening across the wider destination.

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails was among the first fully fledged, managed trail centres in Northern Ireland when it opened in 2013. In that time it has shaped how many riders learn and made countless visitors fall in love with the Mournes. With distance, descent, downhill and a village that looks after riders, its popularity is set to continue for the next generation and beyond.

Latest Update: Open

Before you visit, check current opening hours and any temporary diversions by visiting MountainBikeNI.com.

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