I'm toying with one of two 'alternative' West Highland Way routes for the gravel bike. The final section of both rejoins the official WHW at Kinlochleven and heads through to Glen Nevis.
Just out of reflex I've plotted the route to follow the road down from Lundabhra, rather than the final pass into Glen Nevis, I think I had a recollection of lots of steps or gates or something on the last section.
Is this still the case? Any photos I've seen look like nice undulating and well surfaced singletrack. In truth I don't mind a bit of chunky terrain on the gravel bike, just not endless on-and-off for steps or gates.
Ta
There used to be a high set of steps over a deer fence at the edge of the forest. Is that what you're remembering?
Last time I was up that way was 2015 but I don't remember any steps or gates on that final section from Kinlochleven to Glen Nevis.
Also the view from Dun Deardail fort at the top of Glen Nevis is superb and then a nice fireroad blast into Fort Bill.
There used to be a high set of steps over a deer fence at the edge of the forest. Is that what you’re remembering?
Quite possibly, I think I had been told or had seen pictures of wooden steps with handrails as well.
I dragged a BoB trailer so far along once and it might have been my forebodings combined with a stile like you describe which put me off and caused me to turn tail and take the road!
Sounds like it's all good though, has been a guilty secret of mine for years that I haven't actually 'done' 100% of the WHW, this is the only bit I don't know.
As with the other posters, it's been ages since I did it.
I think there was indeed a high fence when I did it around 9 years ago.
When I did it around 6 years ago I think it had gone and most of it was easier.
Just had a check on That thread, and found the following comment:
I’d remembered that last bit as being a bit pants, but it appears that they’d done some work on it in the last 3 years. (It also helped not being 2 o’clock in the morning). The last section from the Kiachnish get-in up to the ridge above Glen Nevis was great. Loads of amazing sigletrack, with some fast descents and lots of brilliant lung busting climbs.
Have a look at the photos near the end of page 1
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/wet-highland-way-duathlon-with-the-wean/
Always worth checking Openstreetmap (assuming it's up-to-date of course). Steps, stiles, gates should be shown.
Have a look at the photos near the end of page 1
Perfect intel, detailed and inspiring! Thanks.
It transpires that they’ve rerouted the last bit. Previously there were some heinous ladders about
I *KNEW* I'd heard of something which had put me off. Heinous ladders and heavy trailers are a terrible combo!
Did it last May on loaded fatbikes. No big obstacles and preferable to the tiresome road section we did the previous year.
Check dates though as our trip clashed with some huge motorbike trials event so it was less chilled than expected.
Rich is right, the wooden steps and big stile/ awkward gates are gone. The step section has been bypassed and now have a broad trail built in a loop to get you down to the burn crossing. The gates are now large and simple.
You'll probably not ride 100% on a gravel bike but it should be more like 99% rideable.
