Alyth Bike Park

The trails at Alyth cut through proper woodland - the kind where you actually feel like you've left the main road behind. It's a bike park, so you're looking at a mix of singletrack and wider paths threaded between Douglas fir and larch, with enough elevation change to keep things interesting without being absolutely punishing.

What makes it work is the variety. There are gentler loops for families who want to pedal without drama, and steeper sections that'll test your bike handling if you've got the skills. The ground stays reasonably grippy even after rain, thanks to the forest bed, though winter can get boggy in patches. Most people reckon on spending two to three hours here - it's not enormous, but the riding quality beats the size.

This appeals to families with older kids (teenagers especially) and anyone on a cycling holiday in Perthshire. Beginners won't feel out of their depth, though it's not a pure skills park - it's more about enjoying actual trails. The nearest proper town is Blairgowrie, which sits about five miles away and has shops and cafes worth knowing about.

If you're basing yourself at Five Roads Caravan Park just a mile north, or Nethercraig Holiday Park a few miles further out, Alyth slots perfectly into a few hours of mid-holiday activity. It breaks up the caravan routine without demanding the whole day, and you don't need to book or pay anything - just turn up, lock up, and ride.