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Hi All,
It's a bit of a way off yet, but the group I ride with are looking at a Scotland trip next year and one of the rides we'd love to do is round Torridon. Yes I know there is a loop round there etc .. But we're looking for that bit extra.
Question is, has anyone used a guide round there that they'd recommend, or in fact are you a local that wouldn't mind joining our group for the day and showing us round?
Cheers
Which extra bit are you looking for ?
No need in my opinion - I don't think there are many riding secrets there. Search on here for previous threads for route recommendations as there's been a few.
Can you read and use a map and compass?
Can you navigate in zero visibility?
Can you self-extract and handle any mechanical and emergency first aid issues?
If yes, then you'll find all you need on here and elsewhere on the internet. There isn't some hidden network of secret trails known to only a few.
Ive only been the once but I found riding the main Torridon loop dead straightforward. There aren't many hidden trail, they seem to be pretty obvious. Great days. Make sure you plan in time for a few beers and a big plate of langoustines at th Torridon Inn
extra bit - any secret stuff off the beaten track
navigation, first aid and mechanicals are covered within the group
Back to researching then
Ta
Carlos,
Google earth may help if you choose the most up to date images... Plan carefully to avoid long walks !
"Off the beaten track"
Torridon is pretty much that.
There are more routes in the infamous Kenny Wilson book.
I've ridden a few from the book. Some are better than others.
There's loads of good riding and variations of the well known loop from Torridon down to Achnashellach then back over and down to Annat.
Also good out and back rides near Liathach or around it if you don't mind dragging your bike through a bog
Also a nice coast route from Diabaig to Redpoint
Being Scotland there is no problem legally riding foot paths it's just that some are not going to be much fun on a bike.
Cheers NCB I'll have a look at -
There's loads of good riding and variations of the well known loop from Torridon down to Achnashellach then back over and down to Annat.
Finding footpaths and trails that aren't much fun on a bike is what we're trying to avoid and as its a fair old drive up, we're happy to have someone who knows the routes to avoid or minimise this sort of thing
Carlos, it's all 'off the beaten track'. Stick to the well-known routes and you'll get the best of it:
Ben Damph, 3-4 hour loop.
Applecrossing (Mellow day, out and back from Kenmore, great lunch)
Annat- Coulin- Drochad Coire Lair- Coulags- Annat. 6-7 hrs
Lochan Fadha 5.
Tolley Path 4-5.
Annat- Lice- Grannda- Lair- Achnashellach- Coulags- Bealach Coire Garbh- Annat 7-8, two large push/carry climbs.
Torridon Inn for beers and rooms, Shieldaig pub for seafood and pizza.
xtra bit - any secret stuff off the beaten track
There isn't much outwith the well known routes.
Can you read and use a map and compass?
Can you navigate in zero visibility?
This is kind of over egging it. The main loops are all on decent paths and you'd be unlikely to need a compass. That said, it is wild and remote country.
or in fact are you a local that wouldn't mind joining our group for the day and showing us round?
I'm Inverness based and know the area pretty well.
Post on here closer to the time, if I'm free I'll join you or if not I'll give you as much info as you want.
No need for a guide. All the trail info you'll need is [url= http://www.mtbtrails.info/Trail_Venue.aspx?VenueNumber=27 ]here[/url]
Stay at the Torridon Hostel and eat in the Torridon Inn.
As above thats what we used I did a bike packing trip along the coast probably the best riding I have done in the UK easter time seems the best bet there is a cheap as chips campsite next to the hostel!
Torridon hotel for food and beer as the hostel is cook your own.
Going in Easter again 🙂
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/albums/72157649843265874
[url= https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/17266309501_ec911cb42e_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8783/17266309501_ec911cb42e_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/siLmgp ]Untitled[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/nzrich/ ]Richard Munro[/url], on Flickr
This is kind of over egging it. The main loops are all on decent paths and you'd be unlikely to need a compass. That said, it is wild and remote country.
I'll disagree with that, I don't think it is wise to suggest you don't need a compass to do these kind of mountain routes. Torridon rides can be a big day out in good weather, if you are stumbling around with 10 feet visibility and no idea where you are getting wet and cold things can rapidly become serious.
Hannah Barnes and friend managed to get lost on a good day.
Try nine one six guiding. The owner is local, and knows all the nooks and crannies.
Hannah Barnes and friend managed to get lost on a good day.
A compass wouldn't have helped though. It was a proper schoolboy error.
In retrospect it's the sort of terrain where if you know how to use a compass you won't need it and if you don't it obviously wont help!
If you haven't been before and are a bit wary about big mountain riding then GoWhere are the folk to turn to - they know this area like the back of their hand and if (when) it goes wrong it can go wrong very quickly. The rising is mind blowing but please don't under estimate the severity of the terrain you are heading into.
The only thing I'd add is fit some heavy duty tyres and take plenty of tubes if not running tubeless as some of the rain bars can prove a challenge.
One of my favourite places in the world to ride.