THE TOLLIE PATH
Map OS Landranger Sheet 25
Distance : 27K Ascent : 900m
Skill : Advanced/Expert Overall : Challenging/Hard
Getting there : From S A890 vial Kintail then A832. N (or Inverness ) A835 then A832
The only other time I’ve seen this route described it was referred to as one of the best out and back routes in the country. Having done the “ there and back again” it can certainly be recommended. However, a circuit exists and provides the better option. Some might choose to stick with the A832 all the way to the start of the Tollie path instead of the off road section described below. It’s a bit of a mixed bag but probably worth it.
Whatever you opt for, if you take your time to look over your shoulder once past the Bad an Sgalaig dam, the sight of Baosbheinn will impress you.
All the road sections provide views that epitomise the best of West Coast scenery and ensure that the miles pass without being tiresome. The road descent to L. Tollaidh is fast and leads to the meat in the sandwich.
From the point where you cross the burn to the bealach there’s 180m to be gained in 2.5k. It’s hard work but interesting all the way. If you’re lucky you’ll get to see climbers on the crags. The climb, the drop to L. Maree and the trail back to the car park is all fabulous singletrack. There are a couple of stings in the tail near the end so don’t congratulate yourself too early.
If it’s clear, the shapely form of Slioch, Scotland’s most beautiful mountain will draw your eye as you make your way along some challenging riding. Stunning riding in a majestic setting!
1. Car park at Slattadale, grid ref 888721 : Exit car park & head straight up LRT to roA832 & turn L, along road to 2. Exit on R, opposite L. Bad an Sgalaig Dam, grid ref 847721 : Follow track/path system down to 3. A832, Charlestown : Turn R to head up road, through Gairloch and up past L.Tollaidh to 4. Entry to The Tollie Path grid ref 859790 : Follow path over bealach and down to L. Maree and back to Slattadale . Watch out for the ditches!
SCOTTISH MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURES
Sample Route Page
The format below is the same as the one used in the book, except the image is larger in the book. All wilderness routes have topo maps to help illustrate their movement through the landscape. Details, including grid refs, follow and allow the line to be transfered to a proper map.
With so little space on each page it was always going to be difficult to do some routes justice. This applies particularly to routes like this one. So, we've thrown in an extra couple of images to show just how lovely it is.
This page was created specially for the Celtic Finge website. Please use your back button to return there to see more of what Wester Ross has to offer. Thanks for taking the time to check out these pages.
Map based on OS Popular edition series 1930, GPS tracklogs and field surveys carried out by Mountainbike Scotland (c) Mountainbike Scotland 2006
New map style to be inserted 18?01/07
