Where are the UK's best mountain biking trails for kids?
Whether you're looking for a gentle ride through picturesque countryside, a scenic coastal path, or anything in between, bike riding is a fantastic way to stay active and explore the outdoors.
Many of us have fond memories of riding bikes when we were younger, and we want our children to experience the same joy. Looking at bike hire costs and the number of family-friendly mountain bike trails, we have compiled all the information you need to know about bike riding with your little ones.
So, grab your helmet and plan your bike trip as we reveal the best UK cycling destinations for families.
The UK's top 10 family mountain destinations
Scotland grabs the top three spots for family-friendly mountain biking in the UK
1. Falkirk - 57.9% of mountain bike trails are family-friendly
Located in central Scotland, Falkirk is home to everything from the iconic eco-park, the Helix — a great day out for children and parents — to tranquil woodlands. Of the 292 mountain bike trails across this Scottish town, almost three in five are family-friendly, the highest proportion of any area on our list.
If you want to take your little ones mountain biking here, some of the most popular child-friendly trails include the 2km ‘Captain Hook’ track South of Falkirk and the Canada trail. Both of these routes are ranked ‘easy’ and a short distance from playgrounds that will elevate your children’s day that much more.
2. East Dunbartonshire - 51.9% of mountain bike trails are family-friendly
East Dunbartonshire may not have many mountain bike trails compared to other entries, but more than half are suitable for kids — the second-highest percentage on this list.
This area is a great fit, no matter how confident your child is in biking. If your child is new to bike riding, the Bridge to Lacey Hiking trail in Lennox Forest is ideal; at just over 360m, it has no climb and a short journey from Mugdock Country Park, which has lots of child-friendly activities on offer, such as archery and outdoor learning.
On the other hand, if your child is looking for more of a challenge, then East Dunbartonshire has a ‘17 Years in the Foundry’ trail rated difficult due to its descent and climb.
3. West Lothian - 44.6% of mountain bike trails are family-friendly
Completing this top three list of the UK’s best family-friendly cycling destinations is West Lothian. Whether you are visiting on holiday or live in the area, plenty of biking trails are suitable for all ages.
The 90 family-friendly mountain bike trails in West Lothian vary in distance, scenery, elevation, and difficulty, offering something for any bike-riding household.
The most popular family-friendly trail in this council area is Guthrie’s Path, a self-reported, easy-to-follow 513m singletrack in Linlithgow with nearby picnic tables to make the most of your family day out.
The UK’s 10 worst family mountain biking destinations
Shropshire is the most unsuitable UK county for children’s mountain biking
1. Shropshire - 2.4% of all mountain bike trails are family-friendly
From Hopton Woods to Long Mynd, Shropshire offers a range of woodland-based trails with routes to challenge even the most experienced bike riders. Of the 490 mountain bike trails in this English county, only 2.4% are family-friendly — the lowest proportion of any UK county on this list.
It is worth noting that 11 of the 12 family-friendly mountain bike trails in Shropshire have a rating of ‘easy’. So, if you want to take a young or inexperienced child on the tracks, this could still be a good fit—you will be spoiled for choice!
2. Aberdeenshire - 3.9% of all mountain bike trails are family-friendly
Biking enthusiasts may be surprised to see Aberdeenshire on this list, as this council area is home to more than a thousand mountain bike trails. Unfortunately for youngsters, fewer than four in every 100 are family-friendly.
Moreover, the top three highest-rated child-friendly trails in Aberdeenshire have a self-reported rating of ‘difficult,’ which is less than ideal for young families with little to no experience biking.
3. Dumfries and Galloway - 4% of all mountain bike trails are family-friendly
The beautiful landscape of Dumfries and Galloway is one of the area's most significant selling points, but it is less than ideal for family-friendly cycling. Only 4% of mountain bike trails in this Scottish council area are suitable for families, making it the third-worst UK county for child-friendly biking trails.
It's not all doom and gloom, as the family-friendly trails of Kelly's Green and Palnagashel Glen are rated four out of five stars, giving you and your family some highly-rated options if you are in the area.
The importance of bike safety for children
Bike safety is paramount for any cyclist, but kids are especially vulnerable and need extra protection. We all know how crucial it is to wear a helmet when cycling, but there are many other things to consider, especially for young riders. Some of the most critical bike safety essentials for children include:
- Wearing bright clothing
- Attaching reflectors to the bike
- Checking the bike before use
- Keeping both hands on the handlebars
It's no secret that getting your child out into nature benefits physical, mental, and emotional development; mountain biking is no exception. Unfortunately, not all parents can afford to provide their little ones with a bike, but this doesn't mean they can't participate.
Bike hire firms nationwide offer facilities that provide families with bikes and other cycling equipment for an hour to a week. Suppose you are a new or inexperienced rider. In that case, knowing how to measure a bike is essential before hitting the tracks for various reasons, including enhanced safety, developing riding skills, and improving your child's experience.
By compiling a list of some routes along the National Cycle Network, we reveal the cheapest bike hire options available for children.
The top 10 cheapest routes for children’s bike hire along the National Cycle Network
Hiring a child’s bike and trailer can cost as little as £20 across the National Cycle Network
1. Lon Las Menai & Lon Eifion, Route 8
Children’s bike hire price: £10
If you are a fan of natural beauty, Route 8 of the National Cycle Network is a perfect fit. It passes through two national parks, Lon Las Menai and Lon Eifio, and spans the whole of Wales. Bike hire prices for kids are very affordable.
At the northern end of the bike route, you can hire all you need for a full day of riding for the whole family. The equipment available includes children’s bikes, which you can rent for just £10, allowing you to make the most of the Welsh landscapes with your loved ones.
2. Camel Trail, Route 3/32
Children’s bike hire price: £10
Equipped with everything from tourist attractions to picnic areas and a primarily traffic-free route, the Camel Trail sounds like it was made for family bike rides.
Fortunately, the bike hire cost is inexpensive compared to other routes on this list. At the dedicated Camel Trail Cycle Hire in Wadebridge, you can hire a children’s bike and children’s trailer for just £10 each for a whole day, which is as cheap as it comes.
3. Tarka Trail, Route 3
Children’s bike hire price: £13
Route 3 of the Tarka Trail is a fantastic family-friendly route, offering a mostly flat surface and beautiful scenery as it meanders through Devon’s countryside. The trail follows the path of the River Torridge, providing plenty of opportunities to stop and enjoy the surroundings along its 30-mile stretch.
Cycle hire options are available along the route, with the most affordable option being at the Barnstable-based Tarka Trail Cycle Hire. Here, you can rent a children’s bike or trailer for just £7, making it a budget-friendly choice for families looking to explore the area.
Methodology
All data is accurate as of 23/01/2025.
We created a seeding list of all UK counties. Council areas were used for the Scotland entries.
We used Trailforks to find the number of mountain bike trails in each county. All counties with less than 10 mountain bike trails were removed. We then filtered each county’s page by ‘family-friendly’ and noted this figure.
We divided the number of family-friendly trails by the total number of mountain bike trails to calculate the percentage of family-friendly trails in each county.
We used Sustrans to make a second seeding list of some popular bike hire locations on routes across the National Cycle Network. Using the links provided on this website, we found the cost of hiring a child’s bike and a children’s trailer for a day.