Mountain Biking in Isle of Man plantations

There has been much development of single track routes in the various plantations around the island, varying from gentle meanders through the trees to full on downhill routes. Highlights for the visitor include:

Conrhenny – near Onchan and Laxey this plantation offers good routes for the beginner to gain confidence without too much climbing.

Achallagan – in the centre of the island this relatively flat plantation (with a few cheeky climbs!) can entertain for hours with its Community Trail (a route around the edge of the plantation, well maintained and accessible to all but the novice) and hidden single track with a series of technical features of various difficulties.

South Barrule, Corlea and Cringle plantations – these plantations in the west and south combine to give a continuous stretch of woodland and are in many way the heartland of Manx mountain biking. South Barrule contains some purpose built routes and a skills park. Corlea links this to Cringle where the steepness of the plantation running down to a reservoir provides ideal terrain for some more challenging routes which should be on the to do list of any visiting competent mountain biker.

These and many other plantations can be linked to give rides ranging from an hour to full days. The plantations are great when the weather makes riding on the open hills a little less pleasant.

Archallagan single track

Cringle plantation

Racing in the 24 hour challenge (LDLR) at Conrhenny plantation (Photo Chris Wilson)