1. Sligachan Hotel. Grid Ref 485 298
You'll be able to get a great feed here when your day is done but start off by heading along A87 in the direction of Broadford.
2. Turn off to course of old road Grid Ref 533 284
Drop L from the A87 and follow the line of the old road down to the shores of Loch Ainort to turn R and head once again for the A87 and follow this towoard Luib
3. Turn off to Luib Grid Ref 559 278
Turn R into minor toad and look out for Scottish Rights of Way Society signpost on your R. If it's wet, scrabble and curse your way along the course of this ancient "path" through Strah Mor. If it's dry it's not that much better. But while you'e on it imagine doing it the other way and you'll realise why many prefer the clockwise option on this route.
4. The B8083 Grid Ref 565 224
Turn R and ride on road through Kirkibost.
5. Car Park and track Grid Ref 545 172
Beginning to get to the meaty bit now. Head R and follow the obvious track over Am Mam to experience (on a clear day) the stunning view of the Cuillins to be had as you crest the hill. Keep following the track to the obvious contiunuation down to the shore.
6. L turn on track heading for Camasuanary Grid Ref 523 189
Head down the rough track to reach Camasunary and the start of the trail that will take you to the highlight of the day.
7. Singletrack to Sligachan Grid Ref 516 186
Now follow your nose all the way to the start point on a very long singletrack trail. Starts out with a climb but just keeps on coming and gets a bit gnarly toward the end. Ride it without the appropriate skill and fitness levels and it will be a bit torrid. Approach it as a rider who is fully prepared and technically competent and it will provide you with one of the best days in the land.
Definitely a fantastic day out and deserves every accolade awarded to it. I've ridden it three times....twice clockwise and once anti-clockwise. I've never been lucky enough to have a day without lots of rain on it but had a ball every time.
The images below are the best I could muster out of those visits
Mountainbike routes in Scotland. From Mountainbike Scotland guide book. Guide book to scottish mountain biking. Mountain bike routes in Scotland. Mountainbike routes in Scotland. by Kenny Wilson
The route on this page is an all time classic suitable for fit and experienced riders. It has featured in the mountain biking press a few times and, notably, was listed in 2009 as one of MBR's top 10 UK trails. A physically and technically demanding day it's not for those without the attributes necessary for a long day in remote surroundings.
In the "comics" it is most often shown as an anti-clockwise circuit starting from the Sligachan Hotel. By tackling it that way, the first half of the day is spent toiling up fantastic singletrack while you wonder how well it would ride down the way. The advantage of gravity is also lost on several less enjoyable sections. Least attractive of all is the fact that you finish along a sizeable section of the A87 and all the danger and misery that can bring.
So, if you'd rather warm legs up along the initial road section (squeezing in a wee descent to break it up) and tackle the bulk of the singletrack in a downward manner then clockwise is the way to go. I've detailed the various turning points and included a short description for the route which presents no real navigational difficulties.
Road
Road
Road
Optional Descent
LRT
Singletrack
Singletrack
Singletrack
Singletrack
Singletrack
Singletrack (damp?!)
Mountain biking is an adventure sport with associated risks. It is the responsibilty of all riders to be fully conversant with the risks to themselves and the risks to others. The activity also has impact on the land. This impact not only extends to wear and tear on trails but also how it affects agriculture and ecology. You must at all times be mindful of these factors. Any route suggested should only be accessed within the provisions of the Land Reform Scotland Act and conform to the concept of responsible acces within the terms of that act. See http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/default.asp?nPageID=12&nSubContentID=0 for more info and guidance. No route published by Mountainbike Scotland should be undertaken without adherance to all of the foregoing.
Map prepared using out of copyright 1920's OS map and is provided for reference only. Current OS maps should be carried
on all wilderness routes and riders undertaking them should be suitably experienced in navigation techniques.
