Hey guys,
I’m planning on hitting the route N-S at the start of August, I’ve read a lot of the historic threads on the route and it seems most go for b&b, hostel or bothy stops.
I’m more hiker than cyclist normally, and so I will be packing full camping gear with the intention of wild camping.
This will be my second long distance trip, after doing the Cairngorm loop two summers ago. I’ll be using a genesis longitude with swept bars.
Should arrive in Inverness for 11am on d1, and I’m considering doing the route over 3-4 days , ie leisurely pace. Can’t decide if I should pre plan where to stop or just take it as I go. I have a week off work so if I add an extra day or two it’s not a big deal.
For those that have done the route or are familiar with sections, could i get some recommendations for stopping points ? What are the more remote sections of the route? I have decided to pack hammock+tarp rather than tent, which may limit me to below the tree line. Saying that most of the route is at low elevation so I’m hoping I won’t have too much trouble.
Any input would be appreciated chaps!
August, no tent, midges - gulp.
You'll be fine. You can camp at the Youth Hostel at Loch Ossian - end day 2? Trees there too. Little shop there I think.
Hi boxelder, I use a warbonnet eldorado which has an integrated bug net. It is an essential bit of kit! I wouldn’t dream of using a net less hammock outside of the winter season here in Scotland.
I really like pairing the hammock with long distance cycling, I think it’s the sleeping position with elevated legs that helps.
After initial review of the route I am thinking suitable stop points would be south of fort Augustus (prior to Corrieyairack pass), around loch rannoch, and loch venechar. I’m familiar with the route through Loch Lomond and trossachs back to Glasgow so last leg should be no bother.
We did it recently over 4 days at end of May.
First night we stopped at the hostel at Fort Augustus called Morags Lodge.
Second night, we camped in the grounds of youth hostel at Loch Ossian (fantastic place and woke up in tent to view over the water), although be prepared as a lot of hydro- electric dam workers staying there, who seem to have a love of smoking weed and leaving early in morning!) Only a 5 minute ride to cafe at train station at Corrour, fantastic food from the lovely couple that run it.
Third night, we wild camped outskirts of Killin by the loch.
I then broke off early on 4th day as car was parked north of Glasgow, but friends spent final night at West Highland Way campsite before final 10 miles into Glasgow next day.
Really fantastic route and tough in a good way. I would favour 29er over gravel bike, low gearing and not to lug too much stuff.
In camping terms, I'd suggest travelling south out of Fort Augustus after re-supply in the village, you can start up the Corrieyairick and look for a good spot on the climb well after the castle at Culachy. There are several isolated little high glens with trees, separated by longer exposed sections.
There's a bothy at Blackburn too. Southbound, the last trees and last good shelter are at the Lagan-a Bhaine bridge crossing the burn. After that it's a long schlep across to the bothy on Speyside at Melgarve.
Another alternative would be to come slightly off-route and look for a nice spot alongside Loch Uanagan.
I have ridden The Badger Divide 3 times now, each time from south to north. IMO it's got to be south to north (it's how the route was devised originally);
1. Generally south-westerly winds add a tail wind.
2. You really want to end with the long down hill roll into Inverness, not arriving into Glasgow, stay at the Black Isle Brewery in town.
3. Better stopping points south to north. The really remote section is Rannoch to Fort Augustus. The Corrour lodge track is amazing... 12 miles of the most perfect gravel track you have ever ridden!
4. The Corrieyairick is not the worst climb, it's the highest but it's known and a steady climb, for me the climb out of Killin to Glen Lyon is a tough climb.
Leave Glasgow and stay at Killin (4 days), or push on to Rannoch (3 days, makes day 1 a BIG ride). Day 2 - Rannoch to Fort Augustus.
Day 3 - Not to be underestimated, Fort Augustus to Inverness, not that far (58miles) but all day climbing and descending!!
It's a great ride. Loads of midges at Loch Rannoch. Travel light & B&B.
Plus, only a fool would choose to do the Corrieyairack W-E instead of E-W.
FWIW, every time I'm at Corrour these days it's hooching with bikepackers. I guess the Badger Divide has become just so incredibly popular. It was even noticeable on Saturday that the track from Corrour to Rannoch has loads of bike tyre marks now.
Thanks guys. Deciding factor for N-S is that I stay in the Glasgow area, there’s a certain pleasure riding back to your door!
As for a b&b, I appreciate this is a cycling forum enthusiasts site but I feel if you don’t wild camp on these kinds of things you’re missing a really enjoyable aspect of a trip. Happy to lug the extra kilos for the pleasure of a few nights out in the wilds. It’ll be a nice change to have the weight on the bike and off my back, the last trip I made braeriach cairn toul traverse with a camp on devils point. Bothy was packed by the way!
Food for thought re hammock and trees.. I found the same issue on the Cairngorm loop, you’re basically committed to keep on to the glens for suitable trees. Looking at the route seems there are sections that will require consideration for timing.
Just a fyi the restaurant at corrour station is closed on Sundays just now because of the shiterail train stikes which are supposed to last until mid August.
I'm not sure about Rannoch station as it has road traffic?
Day 3 – Not to be underestimated, Fort Augustus to Inverness, not that far (58miles) but all day climbing and descending!!
You sure about that distance - Komoot reckons that distance from Laggan to Inverness? 38 miles I could believe?
(I'm doing it N-S, first day is Inverness to a hotel in Laggan which I make a bit over 60)
Our opening day from Inverness to Fort Augustus was 41 miles with just over 4000ft of climbing.
