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How stupid is the climb? I have been doing some big gravel climbs but this one looks daunting. Its either that or the glencoe road
Is it mostly rideable or will i be taking my bike for a long steep walk?
Ta folks. Trying to make decisions about todays route
Only ever been up on a mountain bike but it was a long steep walk, cracking descent on the other side though
My hazy recollection from the HT550 is that it is ok. Certainly in comparison to some other climbs on that route.
I rode it a few years ago, on the way back (did Glencoe to FW and back in a 'long' day). It's mostly doable, but you'll need low gearing...
It's a long climb, steep in places but all ridable as far as I can remember.
I think it's largely rideable. 4 pics of it at the bottom of this page. Short sections look like a push, but generally ok...
https://gbmtb.com/en/mtb-west-highland-way/
Sorry can't work out how to link to the picture without all that shite appearing.
Ta folks. Ill be on an mtb with nice low gearing but pulling a trailer with camping kit.
Sounds like i should be able to ride some of it anyway
Last time I did it was about 1997 & I remember some pushy/big steppy bits, but we did it twice in one day so it must've been ok.
It was much easier on a 250 Bultaco Sherpa in 1979 as I recall.
Easier from the north. Some of it "recently" resurfaced and much less rough/rocky than it was.
Are you getting the Camusnagaul ferry or following the WHW out of Fort Bill?
Camusnagaul ferry. Back across the Corran ferry. Save my legs for the devils staircase
Devils Staircase side will be a bit of a ballache with a trailer I reckon, whichever way round you do it.
Yeah but it's TJ and therefore a trailer isn't an encumbrance.
Well that’s true - good luck TJ, enjoy!
Trailer is easier than panniers. Much easier. Its not hugely heavy. I hauled the stupid thing thru the head of glen tilt and down ( most) of the great glen way
Did this two weeks ago carrying overnight kit (S/N on Fri lost an hour to a little tyre tear I only found days later so didn't attempt tubeless fix, then snakebit two tubes on the drainage channels. Semi-functioning pump; total bollocks.)
Then N/S on Sun. Spirit sapping steep fire road out of 'kin lochleven (interesting looking trails heading off on your left) then nice steady rocky riding, with a couple of corners of pushing near the top where I'd not particularly want to be taking a trolley but hey. The descent to glencoe is a blast with only the brilliant view of the buchaille to distract from fun riding. Oh and the streams of walkers also, whose encouragement meant I punctured again on a sharp rocky bit. Again, I'd not consider it particularly trolley friendly but what do I know?
If i could get down it wihout a trailer i can get down with it just slowly Its more the climb that worries me.
It does amuse me that folk tell me how limiting a trailer is when they have not used one. Its much easier that the same kit / weight in panniers
I will report back
FWIW I've used one. 😉
I don't know if it's changed but the Expedition module of the MTB training at Glenmore mandated the use of a trailer. I'd often see a group out and instantly know who they were. AFAIK none of the instructors use a trailer when not running the course.
They don't have to be massively heavy. I think the trailer, bag and hitch comes in around 5 or 6kg?
As it happens its a miserable day and i had nowt in my legs yeasterday so this is going to be left for another day. This will be the third time cycling past it without going over it
I've done it twice in the last two years. Once just about 2 months ago. No way I'd want a trailer. Coming up from Kinlochleven certainly warms the legs up. Once you're past the fork there are a number of sections where it would be quite difficult over stepped rocks. Serious legs needed for a bike on its own. Coming down the staircase the trail is quite narrow in sections and there's other bits where I could see a trailer getting caught up. Is it a two wheeled trailer or single? There may be footage on YouTube of someone doing it.
Single wheel. If i can ride a downhill without it i can ride it with the trailer. I doesnt get hung up. Climbing is harder but imo still much easier than panniers
I have done glen kinglass with tandem and trailer. Can do an 8 inch step up and been off 2 ft drops with it. I would have zero issues on gt red with the trailer for example
But crap wether and knackered legs mean i will be avoiding it today. Another time
As many have already said, the climb out of Kinlochleven is a steep grind. Fire road up to the point where the path splits to the right to go up to the Devil's Staircase or goes on to Blackwater dam. The trail up to the Devil's Staircase is a bit rocky but much easier to climb since they filled in a lot of the gaps with gravel. It had eroded quite a lot and would have been borderline doable just before the resurface.
I personally dislike the Devil's Staircase going up or down as it has that common Scottish thing of having waterbars bang on the corner of steep hairpins. I've never quite got the technique right for getting across those repeatedly without getting a puncture / rim ding at some point. With your trailer, that is going to be a bit of challenge just due to the steep angle of the turn and having a big gap water bar on the turn.
I'd imagine you're going to have to walk down at least some of it due to the above and due to the hordes of walkers on the trail as well. The views from the top are stunning though ;).