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It can be for any reason: technical difficulty, speed, views etc etc. I've really enjoyed Devils Staircase and Andrew Gannel Hill so far. Obviously there'll be some trails out there you'll want to keep quiet about.
Ben Lomond
this one, from loch pattack up and over the bealach dubh and down to benalder cottage.
Ben Lomond.
Especially the bare bit beside the steps below the granny trap.
The Cairngorm plateau.
There's not much growing between all the rocks anyway, so what damage can you possibly be doing?
Ben Lomond.Especially the bare bit beside the steps below the granny trap.
Ha ha. Yeah I saw that video too. Ben Lomond evaded me this summer but something to look forward to by the sound of it.
The descent down to Annat in Torridon.
I like the one that goes from tomintoul to dunkeld
The bottom end of the lairig ghru down into rothimurcus maybe?
I did enjoy carn mor ban but its a sod of a climb
Dunno really - some are hard to compare? Fave scenery? best descent. best days ride?
ton - Member
this one, from loch pattack up and over the bealach dubh and down to benalder cottage.
I thought you'd enjoy that 8)
My favourite rides in Scotland are when the weather forecasters get it wrong and you have them all to yourself and your riding pals.
Lies, lies and damned lies. Its all crap up here. And all there is to eat is haggis and deep fried chocolate bars. And don't get me started on the drink. Move along please.
I've got fond memories of the short section of Coastal Path between Diabaig and Craig Bothy, despite being utterly knackered when I rode it. Its definitely the trail I most want to go back to.
There's something about the Leaccan Muir route which draws me back, the first section in the trees when you're basically riding down a stream. I think the claustrophobia in the misty wet trees, and the perma-wet rocks, kind of sticks in the mind.
I've only ridden the final descent of that loop once, after a big crash with a semi-flat tyre, so would like to go back again.
got to add the new xc red at nevis range too.
a blast in a differant sort of way....... 😆
The bottom end of the lairig ghru down into rothimurcus maybe?
That's where I fell in love with my 5-Spot (or at least the demo version I was riding at the time)
I also used to like the little bit of trail between the Cairngorm Club bridge and Coylumbridge, although it's all been resurfaced and sanitised now. It was never particularly testing, but it was a lovely little trail weaving between the trees with a great watersplash. I used to take groups of kids down it and seeing the exhilaration on their faces at the bottom was brilliant.
Dont have a favourite - they're all good.
Dont have a favourite - they're all good
Yeah I meant favourites because you can like different trails for different reasons. I don't have a favourite either.
the short section of Coastal Path between Diabaig and Craig Bothy
Strangely enough, that's the first one that sprung to my mind too..
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If only it could be topped / tailed with some equally satisfying trails.
liked some trails around rothiemurchus could nt pick out one favourite
Devil stair case, whereI had a wicked day with wicked people 😀
wot TJ said :
The bottom end of the lairig ghru down into rothimurcus maybe?
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also auchendrain :
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There's a wonderful track from Red (or is it green?) Barn near Gairloch up to the bothy behind Torridon, it's a beautiful rocky climb in amazing scenery followed by a very rapid downhill for miles 😆
13thfloormonk - MemberI've got fond memories of the short section of Coastal Path between Diabaig and Craig Bothy, despite being utterly knackered when I rode it. Its definitely the trail I most want to go back to.
Lower Diabeag to Redpoint beach?,one of my favourites too
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also Applecross to Kenmore and back across the Penulsia...
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Beachriding the west coast of Harris...stunning scenery
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here at home along the coast in East Lothian...
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My Local trails in and around Mugdock have to be my fave.. Cambus Baron and the North Third was pretty damn good.. must get back there for another scoot... Some of the Pentlands treks are a blast..
planing on doing Ben Lomand soon...
If only it could be topped / tailed with some equally satisfying trails.
What do you reckon it would take to continue the path north? I mean, someone obviously built the section to Craig.
I only ask because I'm thinking of devoting some time to trail building next year, and am not sure wether to focus my efforts on some twisty tech-fest in an Argyll forest somewhere, or wether to try and add something to the hills and attempt an open hillside route.
I suspect that one man could not make a very good job of an open hillside route, although I'd be game for trying.
Tsk TJ - Carn Ban Mor? Some terrible erosion there wouldn't you say? I don't think I would ride there - not very responsible......
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My favourite is Ben Lomond, I just loved dragging my back brake and skidding all the way down.
Some nice looking trails there. I'm hoping to go up to the Poolewe area soon to visit an old path I built about 7 years ago. Might do some of these trails too.
Couple of nice descents in Speyside where I first got into riding off Ben Aigen and Little Conval. Not very technical but good fun. Good memories!
Andrew Gannel, not just because I live there.
Kennyp - yep ;-D
Love bottom of lairig ghru, CBM descent, Macdui summit to Glen derry but most favourite so far is Coire Lair descent to Achnashellach station.
Glenesk in May Snow,Tarfside descent is my favorite 😆
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one of my local trails.
here is your pic
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This one was mentioned before.
TandemJeremy - MemberI did enjoy carn mor ban but its a sod of a climb
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Indeed, as shown here. Makes for a great descent though 😈
Not me in the first pic, thats our oldest who was five then I think. Second pic is heading for Achnashellach Station and beer and chocolate.
steven you need to right click the photo and click say meduim size then right click on the photo and click view image info then click back on here click the img button and and add the location hope this helps J.
Thanks, had to look at a recent thread about image posting to remember how to do it.
Applecross to Kenmore
Coulags to Annat
Tarbet to Reinigeadal
Ciaran path.....mmmmmm!
Lharig Ghru.
Any of the descents into Kinlochleven.
Fife Coastal Path on my cross bike earlier in the year.
Loch Bhac down to Blair Atholl
Ben Lomond
Fyrish
Cairngorm traverse to Ben MacDhui
Sorry but I just can't narrow it down to one trail!
Sorry but I just can't narrow it down to one trail!
No worries I meant to say favourite 'trails'. I did Ciaran Path on Sunday and the Devils Staircase too. Totally amazing route but my arms and legs have only just stopped aching!
Blackwater Dam descent is fantastic. Unusual climb up to the dam as well.
Dumyat or Lairig Ghru
Gypsy descent back into Peebles, opposite side of the road from Glentress.
It’s not possible for me to name one favorite. I love some of the big mountain stuff I do but they take major commitment and you have to do them on the right day. In contrast the local forest stuff which I’ve been riding for 20 years can be anything I want it to be and changes every time I visit due to the latest weather – I really like the variation – so many route options and so many bike options - one hour blast on a singlespeed – two hour nadgery techy jumpy riding on my 6inch AM bike - or three plus hours playing loops on a hardtail. Even then there are three different local forests which I ride and they all differ as well – nope… I simply could not choose a favorite… I love them all.
My favourite ride this year has to have been across Leacann Muir, however, the bits that someone previously posted about have been 'improved' I'm afraid. A couple of the guys I was with, who have ridden this route previously were suprised to note that the initial singletrack section through the trees is no longer along a streambed. Also, the final descent back down to the roadside has been tamed,(I did it with my eyes open so it must be easy), and is more of a steep twisty fire road.
However, the scenery and the weather was stunning, and the trail up on the Muir made up for a lot of the disappointment at seeing yet more 'trail improvements'.
Now, my favourite Scottish trail?
I've followed the rapidly diminishing form of Kenny Wilson (well he was on a fully rigid singlespeed, and I was only on my Five 😳 ), down some stunning woodland trails in the area around Glenmore lodge. I can still feel my arms throbbing from that. The trails he took us around were awesome, some of the best I've ridden anywhere. Or, last year a couple of mates and I headed back up there and rode some trails out past Ryovan Bothy...I think. I remember one particular trail that just twisted through the trees, not really descending, but at just enough of an incline to keep you freewheeling at 'Landspeeder' velocities. I think that particular section of trail, up to the point where my wheel dipped into a rut and spangled me against a tree 😯 , has to be the one I'd like to go back and do the most. Without the high speed tree impact obviously. 😀
It would be a toss up between:
Bealach na Lice to Annat
Lochnagar to Glas Alt Shiel (as far as the waterfall)
Beinn a Bhuird
I absolutely don't get the Ciaran Path at all. Thought it was horrible. At least when I did it, it was all loose rubble and as much climbing as descending
No-one's mentioned the Capel Mounth into Glen Clova and the Corrie Ghash back down to Loch Muick. The descent from Lochngar to Loch Muick is also pretty epic - all 2500ft of it!
ooooh!
Descent off Mealle a Buchaille to Ryvoan Bothy on a sunny day.
Beinn a Bhuirdd - good call.
Rothimurchus for pottering or fast blast fun
Craig More descent to Aberfoyle
Ben Vrackie from the summit
Dunkeld Loch Ordie loop
There is just too much to choose from! Just as well you didn't add in the Lake District, we'd be here all day!
Cheers
Sanny
Thats my riding sorted for the next year then
Ben Lomond...from June
Didn't make the top but was still VERY good fun.
Not sure if the embed will work (see below) 🙂
Nice vid. Well done with the sheep rescue!
got to be Reinigeadal for me
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Ditto on vid.
Gypsy Glen is a good and fast descent but not very technical.
Local favourite is the Descent off the Whangie, north of Glasgow.
Planning to get a lot more next year.
So is the trail on page 21 of singletrack 60 mentioned? Looks promising, allthough most of the other pics in the article make it look like a bit of a mission to get there? Good article that.
I don't think anyone's mentioned it, thats the trail descending from the western end of Glen Affric down to Glen Lichd, and ultimately Glen Shiel.
I rode up it last year (did a thread on here with more pics, search my username) and thought it looked 'epic' a few exposed ledges and some very interesting rock sections lower down.
Its forms part of a loop though, through the horns of affric, which someone here has posted more pictures of, apparently climbing the above trail, and descending the glen north west of it, is the better loop, apparently one of the best descents in scotland according to a couple of mates...
a munro near to an oft quoted classic with 600m vertical descent from summit to floor of glen. never seen it mentioned on here and i'm not about to start now.
😉
Does anyone have a link to a map of the devils staircase route please? i found this one online but obviously i'd like something with a bit more detail so i can transfer it to an OS map. cheers
http://mtbroutessws.com/DevilsStaircase.html
should be fairly obvious from the OS map. Forest Lodge to Kinlochleven is WHW. Tarmac out of KLL, then main road/old road back to meet the DS & WHW. don't know how much new road there is back up, would have thought and out and back would be better to avoid excess tarmac?
So, in summary, England is completely devoid of trails worthy of being favourites?
Beagleboy - The two trails you describe in your last paragraph are incredible, love them both.
Nah Dougal! The Lakes still have the best trails anywhere in the UK. As a paid up jock, I suppose I should say Scotland is the best but to be brutally honest, the Lakes are better if you don't mind riding cheeky trails.