This trip is perhaps one of the most spectacular routes around. It takes you through some astounding landscapes and challenges skill and endurance in equal measure.
At 44k with just under 1,000m of ascent it isn't the longest day in the world but because of the effort required it can feel like an epic. You will find yourself working hard most of the time. If you're sufficiently skilled and strong you'll reap rich rewards. If you're at your limit it could be dire.
Some ride this as an anti-clockwise circuit starting from the Sligachan Hotel. Although that gets you into the action straight away it leaves a long road section at the end which can be a bit of an anti-climax after the wild surroundings enjoyed in the main part of the route.
Taken clockwise you get to warm up on the road before the tough stuff begins. On the way to Luib you also have the chance to indulge in a wee bit of extra fun in the shape of an optional (rough and ready) descent to Loch Ainort using the overgrown course of the old road.
From Luib the traverse of Strath Mor will always present a damp interlude with plenty of laughs along the way. When Loch na Squabaidh is full you'll find yourself riding through it up to the axles as the path splashes its way to Loch Slapin. A short trundle along the road takes you to the car park and signposted path that points the way to the day's big finish. Before you get to that there is the pass of the Am Mam and the drop to sea level to negotiate.
The grunt up to the summit of Am Mam is followed by the often desperately loose and bouldery drop to Camasunary and the start of the main event. It may well be that this track will be dressed with a finish from time to time but it'll probably not be long before the notorious Skye rainfall does it's work once again.
Glen Sligachan
Map OS Landranger Sheet 32
Distance : 44K Ascent : 1,000m
Skills: ADVANCED/EXPERT Effort: Hard
Getting there: Over the Skye bridge and through Broadford along A87 to Sligachan
1. Sligachan Hotel : Head along A87 toward Broadford to
2. Turn off on L grid. ref 533284. Down obvious route to minor road beside L. Ainort and on to
3 Turn off R to Luib, grid ref 559279: along minor road to
4. Signposted path grid ref, 563277: Struggle through Strath Mor to
5. B8083 : turn R past Kirkibost to
6. R turn onto signposted hill track grid ref 545172: over the Am Mam to descend to
7. L turn grid ref 524189 : descend rough, loose, rocky track to
8 Camasunary bothy : follow track to R of bothy past An Sron on singletrack all the way back to the start.
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURES
Sample route with printer friendly pages
GLEN SLIGACHAN
The path heading N from Camasunary climbs gently to beneath An t Sron and a wee descent to Loch na Creitheach provides a taste of what is to follow. Strath Creitheach and the gradual climb over its watershed lands you at the head of Glen Sligachachan. The singletrack is excellent all the way and the further down Sligachan you go the more intricate it becomes.
Heading in a clockwise direction means the action in the final stretch can be savoured with a little help from gravity and provides competent bike handlers with a fitting end to a fantastic day.
In our guidebook to routes in the Highland area you'll find another 50 mountain biking that are suitable for all types of rider. We left this one out as we have other rides nearby on the mainland. Even though Skye is now linked by a bridge we wanted to deliver a variety of trails throughout the Highland area without diverting to the islands.
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 at a glance system that tells you the technical difficulty, length, ascent and overall effort required. That way 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 thirty routes, experienced riders will be able to embark on expeditions that contain truly challenging singletrack in remote and stunning surroundings.
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Map based on 1948 OS popular series allied to field surveys (c) Mountainbike Scotland 2007.
