Quad bikes are the pinnacle of All Terrain Vehicle evolution. The first cumbersome 6 wheeled machines, known as Jigers, were streamlined down to 3 wheeled off road cycles. These were successful in some ways, even making it into the James Bond Film Diamonds are Forever in a scene where henchmen pursue Bond (himself in a moon buggy) on Honda 3 wheelers across the desert outside Las Vegas, but they were too unstable to become popular. It was in the 1980s that Suzuki found the winning formula of a dirt bike style seat and handlebars, low pressure tyres and, crucially, 4 wheels. The goal of the ATV has always been, just as the name suggests, to take on every and any kind of terrain. Perth and Kinross, straddles the highland boundary which separates the fertile lowlands to the South from the rugged mountainous North. The gorges and escarpments that make up the transition provide some of the best spots in Scotland for quad biking.

The weather in Perth and Kinross changes a lot throughout the year. While the region enjoys a good number of warm sunny days in the Summer, snow falls frequently throughout the Winter and there’s a year round threat of rain. But that’s not a problem for quad bikes. Their low centre of gravity and deep tread tyres let them confront all kinds of terrain in all kinds of weather, and kicking up mud beneath your wheels just adds to the fun. So it doesn’t matter what the forecast says, the adventure is waiting for you here!

Where are the best places to go quad biking in Perth and Kinross?

• Perth: not far from the regional capital, you’ll find an off-road paradise. With miles of tracks and trails in beautiful open countryside including hills and lakes, this is a perfect place to let rip on an ATV and find out what these machines are capable of. And it doesn’t stop there, 4x4 Land Rovers and eight wheel off-road vehicles are also on the menu in Perth, and a chance to drive these rugged vehicles is easily combined with your quad bike trek.

• Creiff: in the foothills of the highlands, Crieff is a popular destination for whisky lovers and outdoor adventurers. To earn that glass of scotch at the bar in the evening, we recommend an adrenaline fuelled, mud splattered romp into and out of a disused quarry. The steep descents are well worth the tricky ascents on sandy, gravelly slopes, but it’s nothing that the powerful quad can’t handle.

• Dunkeld: if you’re looking for trekking to get your pulse racing, you can’t do much better than the hilly North bank of the River Tay. Just outside Dunkeld you can blast around a quad assault course, before plunging into the woods to follow a winding route through the trees and the mud. With over 280 acres to explore, this is a unique experience which will leave you longing to come back for more!

• Pitlochry: the two most important rivers in Perth and Kinross, the Tay and the Tummel, converge into one white water torrent here. The offering of quad bike trekking near the picturesque village of Pitlochry is hard to beat, for its varied terrain types from woodland to meadow to hilltop, and the views that you’ll enjoy along the way. There are different sized to suit all members of the family and year round availability - the fun doesn’t stop.

• Loch Tay: the River Tay’s journey to the sea starts at Loch Tay, a 15 mile long glacier lake nestled in a highland valley. For the best views of this lake, you need to go up into the surrounding hills and for that we can’t think of any better vehicle. Beautiful surroundings and a thrilling ride come together here to make this an adventure to remember.

Requirements to do this activity

The landscape of Perth and Kinross is challenging and unforgiving, and so the quad bikes that you can ride here have to be heavy duty to match. The most common models on offer are Honda Sportrax, full size machines with 250cc engines that are capable of reaching hair raising speeds on flat tracks and tackling the uneven terrain off-road. In some locations you’ll also find 90 or 120cc models which are suitable for anyone over 12 years old, but the Sportrax is reserved for over 16 year olds.

Quad biking is becoming increasingly popular among groups. The controls are intuitive and easy to learn and this means that everyone can get involved and keep up with the pack, so this is a great location for a stag or hen party, a corporate away day, or a birthday celebration.

How long does a ride excursion last?

There’s so much to see in Perth and Kinross that you could explore it for a lifetime and still miss some nooks and crannies. But by taking a quad bike ride you can get a head start on the exploration. In just 1 hour you’ll be able to get the hang of handling in controlled settings and to cover several miles on tracks and trails. These will often lead you to spectacular lookouts and viewpoints that take in the hills, lakes and rivers of this wild part of the country.

If 1 hour isn’t enough, book in for a 90 minute trek to go even further, or arrange a full day - or even a weekend - of outdoor adventures that includes this alongside other motorsports like 4x4 driving, watersports such as sailing or rafting or anything else that takes your fancy.

What should you bring the day of the activity?

As the weather varies throughout the year - and in each individual day - you should be attentive to the weather forecast and dress appropriately. You should be hoping for some rain in the days before your safari because there’s nothing like splashing through mud, but bear in mind that some of that mud is going to end up on you. Most operators can provide you with an overall to protect your clothes, but just in case you should bring some old, comfortable clothes, and maybe even a spare set to put on afterwards.

For safety reasons, it’s essential that you wear a helmet during the ride. You’ll be given one when you arrive on site, but your footwear is your responsibility. Use some common sense and leave sandals at home! You need to have your toes covered and something like walking boots, or an old pair of trainers are perfect.

Open up the throttle and make some mud fly here in Perth and Kinross! We want to help you organise it, and then hear all about it afterwards.