You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I’ve got 4 days booked in Aboyne and looking to make the most of my time there.
I want to do Tarland trails, Heart Break Ridge and some of the trails around Ballater and Aboyne (Mastermind, Masterblaster etc).
Looking for suggestions for a couple of “big mountain” type rides. I thought maybe something around Lochnagar and Loch Muick. For the other ride I’m not sure. I’d be happy driving a bit further into the Cairngorms.
I don’t want to destroy myself with a 30 mile 5000ft+ ride as I want to ride every day. Something around 15-20 miles and about 3k ft would be ideal.
Super excited as it will be my first time in the Cairngorms. I mostly ride around the Peak District and North York Moors.
The trails at Glen Livet are worth a visit too.
Beinn a'Bhurd might be worth a look. Not done it but it's on the to-do list. Various routes in Trailforks etc. or here's a blog post: Linky (not me on the blog)
Otherwise, I still have fond memories of a trip up Carn a'Mhaim and Macdui - but that's probably verging on 30 mile and 5000'.
This was the Macdui day: https://www.strava.com/activities/3921776328
Aboyne trails are amazing, don't miss Twisted Sister (?) and the ones near that.
Beinn a'Bhurd might be worth a look.
Yep this is a good "not too big" mountain ride. We went up on to the adjacent summit as well, but I wouldn't bother with that TBH.
Loch Muick
We did a fab long ride from here, possibly a figure-of-eight. You could do a shorter one, I'm sure.
Wasn't a similar thread to this on here recently?
The search function is your friend.
When are you heading up there?
If you're after something different to do each day then this selection from Scotty Laughland has all the best stuff. Lightning Bolt is my favourite of the ones he rides. I'd also add the Glen Callater loop to the list, that's a lovely descent.
Mountains wise, I rate Ben Avon and the Allt Shiel descent of Lochnagar as the best.
My favourite location. I've wittered about it at length on numerous threads. This one covers Bhuird and Allt Glass
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/bike-forum/big-rucksack-big-mountain-big-day-out/
lNRATS: If you want awesome mellow do Bhuird anticlockwise. If you want mind blowing hard tech then descend Lochnagar south to Allt Glass Sheil ( 4 additional Muick munros optional)
Alas the forum migration has killed the photo links
I've also posted at tedious length about Morronne and the Glenshee Munros( Inc Callater descent) but CBA searching.
And anyway, as above the answer is Bhuird or Glass Allt anyway 😉
Posting that photo simply because it makes me happy.
Pop into Cycle Highlands and see what they say?
Aye - Richard and co are always very helpful, as are the guys at 20 Twenty.
Easy to find options:
1. Capel Mounth/Corrie Chash (aka Streak of Litening) from Loch Muick car park - clockwise loop, one reasonable climb to start, then fun, flowy descent down the Capel Mounth track, another steady climb then short hike-a-bike up to the 'Pony Huts' on the side of Broad Cairn, then follow the Corrie Chash track all the way back down to Loch Muick. 20 mins around the N side of Loch Muick and back to car. Normally takes about 4 hrs.
2. Beinn a'Bhuird - either as a 'up and back', in which case start from Glen Quoich car park and follow your nose all the way to the plateau then straight back down the same track (c2-3 hrs), or bigger more scenic loop, starting at same point, but skirt east after crossing the Quoich, head towards the Slugain track, then fire up it towards a couple of big, steep climbs (pushing/hike-a-bike) to the plateau, then the obvious descent down the SW side back to Quoich car park.
3. Classic Aboyne loop - start at the Bridge. Out to Birse Woods, ride Chutney and Relish, up Kennels track, Fungle singletrack descent, up to Masterblaster or Schwing half-way down, back to Water Tank track, up it, then take your pick from Panic Button, Twisted Sister, Deliverance, Rattus - so many good trails. You could just lap Birsemoor Hill, but if you want more of a 'big loop', then at least you have that option.
Thank you so much for all your replies. Thegeneralist - I’ve bookmarked your thread and read with great interest, thanks!
I’m going 22-26th July. Unfortunately I have a 7.5 hour drive home on the Saturday but should get four good days. Long range forecast looks pretty good right now, but I’ll come prepared for bad/changeable weather.
I have a route pencilled in starting at Loch Muick - clockwise to the summit of Lochnagar and then down the Glas Allt Shiel and back around the loch to the car park. About 18 miles and 2800ft.
Then I think I’ll do the out and back up Beinn a Bhuird starting from the Quoich car park, up and down the Southwest track. That one is about 17 miles and 3000ft.
For the other days, probably Tarland and then Mastermind over to Heartbreak Ridge, maybe some of the trails in Aboyne if I can still feel my legs by that point 😉
In case of a complete washout - how are the trails around Aboyne/Ballater in the wet?
I want to do Ben Macdui at some point, but I think I’ll save that for another trip and bring a couple of pals along. It sounds like there’s a huge network of trails to explore in the area.
Much of the soil in that area drains well and granite rock is still pretty grippy when wet. It is also grim up north so typically stuff rides fine when damp (which is most the time).
I drove up there in October just to do Beinn a Bhuird which was brilliant. The following day I did Lightning bolt, Mastermind and Heartbreak ridge . The latter was fantastic but at this point I was seeings stars but brilliant none the less. I feel like I need another trip up there just to do Ben Mc Dui (which I did from Loch Morlich last week) from the Ballater side and Tarland . Still great riding .
Yeah, it does drain well.
I'm up there all next week if anyone fancies a ride.