more stats
3,701 ft
Distance
22 ft
Climb
-176 ft
Descent
00:08:11
Avg time
-154 ft
Altitude change
487 ft
Altitude min
641 ft
Altitude max
641 ft
Altitude start
489 ft
Altitude end
-4.2%
Grade
-29.9%
Grade max
15.8%
Grade min
325 ft
Distance climb
2,582 ft
Distance down
794 ft
Distance flat
00:08:11
Avg time

The Elf Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • E-Bike
  • Riding Area
    Balquhidder
    Strathyre
  • Difficulty Rating
    Red Rate
  • Local Popularity
    40 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in E-Biking
  • Global Ranking
    #122673 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • #85662 in E-Biking
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
    Popular Direction Shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Sometimes hard to follow
  • Season
    Jan-Dec
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    Yes up to Class 1
  • TTFs on Trail
    Berm
  • Year Opened
    2017
  • Land Owner
    Forestry And Land Scotland

The Elf is a woodland footpath shared with walkers that serves nicely as a X-Country loop or warm-up trail ride before going up to the downhill singletrack trails on the north side of Balquhidder.
The Elf itself is a rolling singletrack that has an overall fall but has within it, both up and downhill sections. It is about 1.1k long which when combined with the uphill access using the B road climb up Glen Buckie makes a full loop of circa 1.7km - well suited to a short XC loop
On the Elf there are only a couple of slightly technical parts which would be approximately "red grade". Works ok in the wet since recent improvements.

source: Balquhidder MTB Trails
Access Info

With Parking at Balquhidder Hall or the Kirk ride south up Glen Buckie and stop 30 metres before the cattle grid. The start of the trail is on your left.

This trail is unsanctioned.

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Recent Activity on Trail

Past Week
  • 0 rides
  •  
6 Months
  • 1 rides
  • 23 miles avg distance
All
  • 7 rides
  • Last: May 3, 2026
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The Elf Trail Reports

statusdatedescription
Jan 19, 2025 @ 4:00am
Jan 19, 2025
 Fallen tree. Streams crossings. Trail lost in middle.
Nov 28, 2024 @ 11:43am
Nov 28, 2024
Apr 1, 2023 @ 3:07am
Apr 1, 2023
May 27, 2019 @ 2:36am
May 27, 2019
Dec 26, 2018 @ 2:26am
Dec 26, 2018
 reporter some minor mud patches
more »
Status:
on Jan 19, 2025
Avg: 3.98 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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        Directions to the-elf trailhead (56.344660, -4.370920)

        Photos

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        Videos

        1 more »
        Hot weather Mountain bike fail - The elf
        11:40 | 399 | Dec 18, 2020 , Strathyre

        3 Reviews & Comments


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        Frequently Asked Questions About The Elf

        ▼ Where is The Elf located?
        The Elf is located in Balquhidder, Strathyre, United Kingdom. It is part of the Balquhidder trail network. The trailhead is located at coordinates 56.34466, -4.37092.
        ▼ How hard is The Elf?
        The Elf is rated as Red difficulty. The physical rating is Moderate. The average grade is 4.2%. The climb difficulty is rated Blue.
        ▼ What is the elevation gain for The Elf?
        The Elf has 7 m of elevation gain. The trail has 54 m of elevation descent. The elevation ranges from 149 m to 195 m.
        ▼ Is The Elf a point to point trail?
        The Elf is not a point to point trail. The direction is Both Directions. The trail type is singletrack.

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