Helensburgh Trail System

Helensburgh Trail System is a non profit organisation with the aim of building and maintaining the mountain bike trails in Highlandman’s Woods.

The group is completely made up of volunteers and materials for the trails are sourced from the woodland where possible. The building and maintenance of the trails has been approved by the landowner. A detailed map of the riding area can be found on Trailforks.

The Trails

Dora’s Trail (Red):

Dora’s trail is the oldest of the trails in Highlandman’s Woods. It was originally made around 15 years ago but was fully cleared to make a line top to bottom around 7 years ago. The trail starts just after the turn off for Blood Sweat and Beers. A steep roll in (which can be avoided) leads you into a long straight which leads you into the top section of the trail. This section is made up of tight corners and long straights. The trail then comes to a bridge over a river. This leads into a series of open areas which can become slidey in the wet. The trail then dives back into the woods for the last section which leads you back onto the fireroad just below the start of Tech DH.

Highlandsman’s Wood on Trailforks.com

Tech DH (Red):

Tech DH is one of the most popular and easy trails on the hill. Taken slowly it’s a good trail for beginners and riders new to the area to get a feel for what the trails are like. From the fireroad the trail takes you across the hill on a technical section with multiple small lines weaving in and out of each other. The trail then gets to a wall where it splits into two. The main trail goes through a wall and turns right. From here the trail is fast and flowy with small berms, drops and jumps (all of which can be ridden around). A smaller trail goes down the right side of the wall. This trail is fun and flowy in the dry but can be very wet and muddy when there has been recent rain. This trail has several small jumps and drops that can be avoided but are very fun to ride.

Blood Sweat and Beers (Jump line):

Blood Sweat and Beers was one of the trails built during the Covid-19 lockdown. This trail contains big jumps and drops most of which can be avoided but if you are unsure then it is always best to look first. This trail is best ridden in the dry as there are some rooty and rocky sections to negotiate between the jumps. This trail is full on the whole way down. From a top section filled with jumps and drops to a bottom section made of rock gardens that will test your suspension. This is a great trail to session with your mates on a sunny day

Helensburgh Trail System mountain bike trails. Image courtesy of Helensburgh Trail System — Blood Sweat and Beers

Blue Until It’s Not (blue with black options):

This is the most recent trail on the hill and is a firm favourite amongst the locals. Despite being short this trail packs in loads of fun and interesting features. After dropping in from the turning circle the trail flows through the felled plantation before arriving at the rock jump. This is a jump over an erratic boulder left by a glacier thousands of years ago. The trail then continues to flow down the hill and over a hip jump to then arrive at the place where Tech DH crosses the wall. You can either ride down the rest of Tech DH or push back up the side of the wall to session this trail.

Shuzzy’s Chute (Black):

Shuzzy’s Chute was built around the same time as Dora’s trail. The trail entrance is just by the entrance to Furloughed and is obvious from the fireroad. The trail starts with a flat straight that can be very boggy in the wet. The trail then gets steeper and more technical. Watch out for off camber roots that can easily catch you out. Some sections of the original trail have become unrideable due to bogs. Look out for other lines that have been cut through the woods next to the trail. The trail takes you back to the fireroad on the Rhu side which you can climb back up to access all the other trails

Furloughed (red):

Furloughed was built over the summer lockdown. It is a technical trail on the Rhu side of Highlandman’s Woods. The trail start just before the start of Shuzzy’s Chute and is not that obvious (it is marked by a small stone cairn). The trail starts with a technical section which traverses diagonally down the hill. There is then a straight section which is fast. The trail then traverses the hill again. This can be pedalled but is also a great place to practice your pumping skills as the trail goes over natural lumps in the terrain. The trail then turns back down the hill and follows the lines of trees down to a wall. The trail goes right by the wall to a fireroad where the trail ends. Watch out for the steep roller at the end just before the fireroad.