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Hey peeps. I've done quite a few long distance routes in Scotland over the years but, while looking back at old posts like https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/scotland-coast-to-coast-mtb-trip/
I've got a notion to go for a good off-road West to East coast to coast adventure.
My fitness these days is knackered, so I'm looking for something with big views without completely ending myself.
Mebbes 30 miles or so a day over a few days with the Mrs doing baggage carting.
Any thoughts about routes? Kyle of Lochalsh to Drumnadrochit the Inverness and down through Northern Grampian? Fort William to Roy Bridge, in to Laggan and Aviemore then Spey side way and down the Dee valley?
How long do you want to take? How much offroad? Does it have to be coast to coast?
From Aviemore you could head for the Moray Coast via Dava Way or Soeyside Way.
http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2011/09/c2c-part-1.html
Ideally, I'd like to as off road as possible. Going up the Great Glen Way and then along to Roy Bridge would allow me to go through the Corries with ye olde parallel lines to Laggan. That's a nice easy day's ride. There up to Aviemore is another easy day off road and the Speyside or Dava Way up to Forres would be fairly simple as well i guess. 3 days in total and very leisurely indeed.
Scotroutes ... what's the Corrieyairack like nowadays? Ive not ridden it for 5 years or so and the East face was knackered. I rode (pushed) up it and winged down the West face. Must admit, it didn't make me want to hurry back.
Oh ... and the coast to coast. Just something I like doing. Done Bonar Bridge to Ullapool and back, Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness before and there's a nice feeling to it for some reason. Part of the motivation is to head down the Dee valley and ride trails I did 30 years ago.
Did Corrieyairack in May as part of a bikepacking trip, that day was Fort Augustus to Aviemore before catching up with Scotroutes in the pub 😁. It was a steady ride up with bags on. The descent was a bit crap with new drainage having been installed so lots of stop start.
Corrieyairack works best going towards Fort Augustus IMHO. If it's a loooong time since you were there then you'll notice that it has mostly been resurfaced (to protect the old road). Still OK from FA to Laggan, it's a long steady climb but all rideable, especially if not hauling luggage.
Pick up the Wade Road to Catlodge then Etteridge and all the way to Ruthven Barracks. Badenoch Way / Speyside Way will get you to Aviemore though there are better routes too.
Dava Way is an old railway track bed, now resurfaced. Speyside Way from Grantown is best bypassed until Dalnapot by using the B road.
I've always fancied rooting aboot in the Ruthven barracks but never had a reason to stop. Sounds like I'm talking myself into it. That's it added to my Braemar to Glen Tilt, Tyndrum to Oban and Great Glen Way trips for this year.
Unless there are other ideas out there?
Not a bad bivvy spot either...
[url= https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1952/45529985122_8bdfb8eeaa_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1952/45529985122_8bdfb8eeaa_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/2cnk5ku ]P1050320[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
Great Glen Way trip
Consider the Loch Ness 360. South from Inverness to FA via the GGW then back north via the South Loch Ness Trail. Or, if you fancy a different loop, I give you the Monadliath Military 200!!!!
http://www.blog.scotroutes.com/2017/07/so-low.html
That's a lovely pic.
Does the following look about right for a route?
https://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=cdsdglxyqvlagydv
https://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ldkzurbuqkofawgr
https://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hmgrzjvimrzjknrd
Days 1 and 3 are fine. Lots better options for the section between Ruthven Barracks and Aviemore though. Follow the B970 to Tromie Bridge then pick up the Badenoch Way at Drumguish, past Inveruglas and Insh to the Uath Lochan (a red waymarked trail here takes you to a great viewpoint). Head SW to Ballintean then north along the Feshie to Feshie Bridge. Then cross the Moor of Feshie until NH878056, past Drakes Bothy, Loch Gamhna, Loch an Eilean and The Polchar to Inverdruie.
On Day 3, follow the waymakers for the Speyside Way into Grantown on Spey, that'll keep you off the roads. The start of the Dava Way is at NJ025283. Macleans bakery on the High Street for coffee, cake and lasagna pies!!!
Cheers
I see scotroutes has given you ideas to add to your own. Nowt I can add. Enjoy!
Have been doing pretty much what you describe with a small group of friends semi-regularly over the years. I did this map for them a couple of years back so they could remember where they've been!
If there are any you want an idea of scenery or more route details, stops etc. just let me know and I'll post more detail once the kids are in bed! Also have another coming up this year, but suppose I better let them ride it before I pass it on!
How leisurely? Scrabster to Wick shouldn't too taxing....
Thanks josemctavish. Looking forward to having a swatch at your map.