It really is a great wee route and on a clear day the views alone make it a treat. On the way to the Kingshouse the Buchaille Etive Mor dominates. In addition to the views, the riding (particularly the descent toward the Kingshouse Hotel) is sufficiently difficult to demand the full attention of most folk. Yet, it's never so hard that it will exclude too many riders.
For anyone looking for options to make this trip last a little longer, it's worth considering riding W from Victoria Bridge to Loch Dochart to enjoy the dramatic scenery there. Another choice, for the very fit, might be to begin from Tyndrum. In any combination, warmth and first class food await in the Bridge of Orchy and Kingshouse hotels as well as the charming Inveroran Hotel at the foot of Mam Carrigh.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURES
Sample route with printer friendly pages
Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch Moor
& Kingshouse
This route is an out and back across the wilderness of the Rannoch Moor. It uses the West Highland Way and has a riding surface that can be tackled in most conditions except snow and ice. This makes it a viable option for most of the year. It is possible for strong riders to follow the path over Mam Carrigh on the outward leg. It leads to the panorama bottom L but you must take particular care to give way to walkers. It's a stiff climb followed by the twin rewards of a stunning view and an exciting descent down a rough vehicle track. Although it would make a great descent, reversing this option on the return leg is not recommended. NB Taking the road all the way to Victoria bridge will reduce the climbing and keep the grade of the whole day to intermediate.
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Map based on 1927 OS Popular Edition, GPS tracklogs and field surveys conducted by Mountainbike Scotland (c) Mountainbike Scotland 2006
In our guidebook to routes in the Highland area you'll find another 50 mountain biking trips that are suitable for all types of rider. We left this one out as we have 2 other rides in the immediate vicinity and wanted to deliver a variety of trails throughout the Highland area.
The book is split into 5 regions and there are 9 routes of varying length and difficulty in each. This makes 45 routes that will occupy a day or half day of riding. The book closes with 5 multi-day tours that are again spread over the country and the ablility range. All are graded with an easy to use system that tells you the technical difficulty, length, ascent and overall effort required. By using it you'll be able to decide whether any route is suitable for you or members of your party.
So, if you're planning a visit to Argyll, the Southern Highlands, The Central Highlands, the Cairngorms or the Northern Highlands there will be a choice waiting there for you.
There's something for everyone and the emphasis is on taking the rider on great trails through fantastic scenery.
Twenty of the routes are for beginners to intermediates. Using them, skills and fitness can be built up to get ready for the the bigger and more technically demanding days. In the remaining 30 routes, experienced riders will be able to embark on expeditions that contain truly challenging singletrack in remote and stunning surroundings.
R
O
Map OS Landranger SheetS 50 & 41
Distance : 38K Ascent : 900m
Skills : INTERMEDIATE/ ADVANCED (if Mam Carrigh included)
Overall : Challenging
Getting there: A82
1. Bridge of Orchy : Cross the bridge behind
hotel and either take the WHW over Mam Carrigh
or road past Inveroran to
2. Kingshouse Hotel: Have nosh, reverse route
Map based on Bartholemew's AOS from the 1900s allied to field surveys
(c) Mountainbike Scotland 2007
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