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I tend to think of Sgorr Gaoith as having three main routes off, all heading back into Glen Feshie.
The first from the south, the Carn Ban Mor to Auchlean path has been rebuilt (neutered) and is probably the least interesting to ride and anyway has the most walkers on it.
Next northwards off the ridge is the Stalkers' path, down northwest from the CBM - SG saddle, crossing above Coire Ruadh, across the Chrom Alltain burn and out to the road. Good fun and in most conditions, rides really well.Â
Thirdly and the point of my question: The rocky descent north over Sgoran Dubh Mor to the Clach Choutsaich, over to Follais and down the zigzag 'Mule Trail' descent into the woods. This is the more technical option and I seem to recall someone, somewhere saying that lower down below those zigzags the scrub trees are now pretty overgrown and repeatedly blocking parts of the last sector.Â
Does anyone know for sure what the situation is?
No idea but I'd be interested in an update as it was on the list of possibles for the next weekend or two. Always was a bit prone to getting overgrown by late summer though....Â
It was at least five years ago I rode and it was mainly scots pine saplings encroaching on the path, I would doubt that they've been removed since.
Watching with interest. It's been three years since I did the zigzag path down from Creag Follais (and it was pretty overgrown then). Year before last I took the route down from the saddle between Carn Ban Mor and Sgor Gaoith, which was pretty good (a few deep holes in the peat heading down to the first fords). Ignoring the walkers path down to Achlean, it's a southwards schlep across Carn Ban Mor to pick up the landrover track across Moine Mhor towards Mullach Clach a'Bhlair, turning right down to Glen Feshie (oposite the Carnachuin Memorial - apparently this is the 'traditional' route 'up' - would be rideable on an E-bike).
The one I have yet to try involves a rough hike around the end of the Loch Eanaich corrie (crossed that last year, on the way up to Carn na Criche & Braeriach - it's horrible) then there's a really steep path down to the other side of the loch that brings you out down Glen Eanaich.Â
Another descsent off the SG ridge is to go north past Creag Dubh, down to the wee flat bit before Cadha Mor and then west towards the Glen Eaniach track, picking it up at its highest point. It's rough and heathery but can be ridden with the gravity assist 😉
Chives, your 'Traditiomal' route up is fine and represents the only realistic way to ride up from the floor of the glen. The Achlean - CBM path is just an extended push up nowadays ( it used to be a fab, rocky, techy descent over ten years ago) while at least the double track route is rideable all the way up to the plateau, with or without batteries, so that's my favoured way up.Â
We seem to be short of recent experience of the Mule Trail descent, so far. Anyone able to update..?
Fairplay! You've got fitter legs than me then I have to walk some of that! 😀Â
So in the spirit of going and taking a look, I walked up through the woods, from the gliding club, to the bridge at the bottom of the mule trail (the family wanted a stroll, so I figured 2 birds one stone..). I then scrambled up the lower few hundred yards, which didn't appear any worse in terms of undergrowth than when I was there three years ago - can't comment on it beyond that however.Â
@scotroutes I don't want to question someone whose second name is routes, but east to the path? or am I holding the map upside down again 🙂