Days Out NI
Adventure & activity Rostrevor

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails

Free-to-ride mountain bike centre above Carlingford Lough, with hire and uplift on hand

4 photos
Book aheadNo booking to ride; book ahead for bike h…
FreePer person
RostrevorAdventure & activity
Get directionsOfficial website
Full dayHow long
FreeCost
Confident and e…Best for
All levelsLevel
NearbyParking

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails — Free-to-ride mountain bike centre above Carlingford Lough, with hire and uplift on hand.

  • What you do: Mountain biking on waymarked red and black trails plus two downhill runs, in Kilbroney Forest.
  • Difficulty: Hard. Only red and black graded loops with long climbs and technical descents; lower sections and forest roads suit gentler riding.
  • Age / height: No limit to ride the public trails, but the grades suit confident riders; check age limits for hire and uplift with Bike Mourne.
  • Booking: No booking to ride; book ahead for bike hire, tuition or the uplift service with Bike Mourne.
  • Come ready: Helmet, layers and waterproofs, gloves, sturdy shoes, water and snacks; full-finger gloves and pads for the downhill.
  • Weather: Exposed mountain trails that get slippery and windy; check conditions and ride within your limit.
Plan your visit

Two serious loops and a pair of downhill runs

The waymarked red trail runs roughly 26km and the black around 20km, both starting with a steady climb to the summit of Slievemartin for the big views over Carlingford Lough. From there the red flows back through descents, northshore boardwalk and the Kilbroney Valley return, while the black splits off into tougher, more technical singletrack graded for expert riders. There are also two purpose-built downhill trails, Mega Mission and On The Pulse, served by Bike Mourne's uplift. Allow two to four hours for a loop depending on fitness and how often you stop for the view. Beginners can ride the lower, tamer sections and the forest roads rather than committing to a full red lap.

Free to ride Open 24 hours Red and black trails Big lough views Hire and uplift on site Weather-dependent
Good to know before you go:

Adventure centres and trails run seasonal guided sessions, family events and holiday activities; the booked attractions have their own seasons; check listings for dates.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 👟Clothes you can trashOld kit and trainers you do not mind getting muddy or wet.
  • 🎒A full change & a towelEspecially for anything on the water — you will be glad of dry clothes after.
  • 💧Water and a snackYou will have earned it once the adventure is done.
  • 🎫Your bookingAlmost everything here needs booking ahead — have the confirmation ready.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free to ride the trails (24 hours); bike hire from around 35 pounds, uplift extra, bike wash 1 pound token
Booking
No booking to ride; book ahead for bike hire, tuition or the uplift service with Bike Mourne
Activity
Mountain biking on waymarked red and black trails plus two downhill runs, in Kilbroney Forest
Difficulty
Hard. Only red and black graded loops with long climbs and technical descents; lower sections and forest roads suit gentler riding
Age / height limits
No limit to ride the public trails, but the grades suit confident riders; check age limits for hire and uplift with Bike Mourne
Best for
Confident and experienced riders; families with kids' bikes or a trailer on the easier lower trails
What to wear / bring
Helmet, layers and waterproofs, gloves, sturdy shoes, water and snacks; full-finger gloves and pads for the downhill
Safety / weather
Exposed mountain trails that get slippery and windy; check conditions and ride within your limit
Parking
Trailhead parking at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor
How long to allow
Two to four hours for a loop; a full day with hire and the downhill uplift
Address
Kilbroney Forest, Shore Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3AA
Questions

Before you go

Do I need to book?
No booking to ride; book ahead for bike hire, tuition or the uplift service with Bike Mourne
How much is it?
Free to ride the trails (24 hours); bike hire from around 35 pounds, uplift extra, bike wash 1 pound token
Is there an age or height limit?
No limit to ride the public trails, but the grades suit confident riders; check age limits for hire and uplift with Bike Mourne
What should we wear or bring?
Helmet, layers and waterproofs, gloves, sturdy shoes, water and snacks; full-finger gloves and pads for the downhill
What if the weather is bad?
Exposed mountain trails that get slippery and windy; check conditions and ride within your limit
Getting there

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails is at Kilbroney Forest, Shore Road, Rostrevor, BT34 3AA. Trailhead parking at Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

More days out around RostrevorSee what else is close by More adventures & activity days across NIZip lines, water sports, climbing and trails
The story

About this place

Rostrevor sits in Kilbroney Forest on the shores of Carlingford Lough, at the southern edge of the Mourne Mountains. The mountain bike trails were built as one of Northern Ireland's flagship trail centres and are part of the Mountain Bike NI network, with the red trail climbing onto Slievemartin for some of the finest coastal riding in Ireland.

Many riders rate Rostrevor the best trail centre on the island, known for its long climbs, fast descents and the northshore boardwalk sections in the trees. Two purpose-built downhill trails, Mega Mission and On The Pulse, were added for gravity riders.

Bike Mourne operates the on-site bike hire, tuition and uplift service, carrying everything from kids' bikes and child seats to full-suspension and e-bikes, so visitors who do not own a mountain bike can still ride the forest.