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Next week we're off on holiday to Gruinard Bay in the Highlands. We've got a cottage for a week and will be bringing the dog and bikes. Can anyone recommend any riding around there? Thanks.
Lots to do.... What shorty of riding are toy looking for, will help to narrow down my recommendations. Also, where are you staying? Sure I can offer you some "straight out of the door routes". for info, I live near Laide.
Just near Mungasdale round the bay from you! Something we can do in 4 to 5 hours max as we'll be leaving the dog behind. Not to fussy on type of riding bit of xc scenic or techy trails are both welcome.
From the door, head up by the Gruinard River to Loch na Sealga. Vehicle track, but quite fun, and a great place to spend time. Drive down to Dundonnell, ride over to Strath na Sealga. Also vehicle track, but quite techy in places, and fantastic views.
When do you head up? I'll put some more suggestions on later, at work right now!
Thanks very much! We'll be there next Saturday.
I'd offer to show you around - but I'll be out of the country.
Another couple of suggestions:
A track known locally as Kenny D's, heads inland from the road just after toy crest the climb out of Gruinard Bay, heading to Laide. Pretty easy, but good views.
Leave your car in Laide, and explore out to Mellon Udrigle and Slaggan.There's a handy layby on the minor road in Laide.
Wave to the Postie if you see her, she's working 6 days a week to cover for me while I'm away. Laide Post Office has all the supplies and local knowledge you will need. Have a great time!
I enjoyed riding out to Carnmore last time I was up that way. Carried on a bit further up hill towards strath na sealga but ran out of time. Stunning part of the world.
Hi felltop, thanks for the tips. What are the midges like just now?
Best local pub/place to eat etc?
Surprisingly, not too bad! Cold winter flowed by dry spring/ early summer have helped. Avoid dearly morning and evening, and hope for a breeze.
Oops, updated my post as I wasn’t expecting such a speedy response!
Last time I was up was on the motorbike doing the NC500 so looking forward to exploring more.
Will say hi to the postie when we’re up.
Not much in the way of places to eat - either Dundonnell Hotel or Aultbea Hotel are within reach. Both ok.
Thanks for the tips! I hope you're off somewhere nice.
Re: riding from Dundonnel over to Loch na Sealga. This is part of the HT550 route so I checked my times from last year for that bit. Just under 2hrs to Shenavall bothy and another 20 minutes to the loch. That's "racing", you might struggle to do it there and back in your self-imposed time limit. I took about 1hr20mins to the first abandoned house in Strath na Sealga which might be more realistic. It'd be a fair old climb back up the track as well.
Genuinely stunning place though. The ride in to Carnmor is easy (apart from the water bars) and is "the other half" of the Great Wilderness. This is Craig Thompson's blog of that part of the HT550 just to wet your appetite - http://highlanddrifter.com/ht550-2018-day-4
Excellent well I'm sure the dog will be ok for a bit longer. Heading off tomorrow! Can't wait for a bit of proper wilderness as I've never been that far north and it will be nice to get away from the crowded south coast for a while.
I posted this on another thread
Start at the Corrie Hallie car park near Dundonnell, head SE on the A832 (long steady climb) for about 11km until you get to the track that leads to Loch a Bhraoin. Take this and the smaller path that leads alongside the loch. Continue to Loch an Nid and down the valley to Strath na Sealga where you meet a vehicle track. You can continue on the floor of the strath to Shenavall bothy but you’ll have to return back up the strath. Climb out of the strath via the vehicle track and down Corrie Hallie back to your car.
And whilst you're there, push up the Sgurr Ban slabs to 800m and ride the main one back down!