I'm planning a wee trip up to Aviemore next weekend. Plan to stop at Laggan on the Friday evening for a short ride. On the Sunday I'm thinking of doing the Burma Road route in the "Wild Trails" book.
I'd be grateful if anyone has some good recommendations for a longer route on the Saturday? Would be great if it included Lairig Ghru descent as part of a longer circuit. Alternatively any big mountain routes?
The regular route fom the car park across below the Northern Corries is best. There's lots of carrying and its probably about an 8 hr day but the descent from the summit is superb.
That sounds brilliant Dave. If decent weather I'll try to persuade my mate to go for this. How techy is descent to the hut? Also is Lairig an Laoigh all rideable?
> (In reply to Matt Buchanan)
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> Does anyone have any recent beta on Carn Ban Mor descent? I heard it had been ruined by path work a couple of years ago.
I have heard from friends that the 'Burma Road' ride in the Wild Trails guidebook is pretty rubbish. They are competent and experienced mountain bikers whose opinion I value. However I haven't done it myself so hopefully someone who has done the ride will come along and comment. The nearby Glen Feshie ride in the Wild Trails guidebook is pretty darn good though and I can strongly recommend that for a half day.
The bridge just north of Glenfeshie Lodge hasn't been replaced (about 5 years since it was washed away). It is possible to ford the river about 2 1/2 kms. south of the lodge. The ford is used by estate vehicles. It's quite wide and water comes up to your knees. Not normally a problem but I'm not sure I would chance it after sustained heavy rain.
If you fancy some nice low level singletrack I've mapped out the trails in Inshriach Forest.
Ta for that info. Last I heard was that the estate were putting in/waiting for planning permission to reinstate the bridge, this may or may not have been the case but it seems that they are in no rush to do anything.
We also did the Burnside trails this morning. Brilliant if very techy singletrack. Worth doing if looking for a short ride around Aviemore. The guys in Bothy Bikes were very helpful with route advice.
Macdui took us just over 8 hours. The route we did had some great descents but lots of pushing/carrying. Grade wise I suppose black but hard to compare to trail centres. Great day out. Having spoken to the guys at Bothy Bikes there are other route options that would require less carrying. They suggested up Bynack Mor, down to Loch Avon following boundary line shown on map, push along the loch then over to Loch Etchachan, push up Macdui then ride all the way down to ski centre. I'm keen to try this another time. They also recommended up Carn Ban Mor and descend from bealach between that and Sgor Gaoith. Sounds great as well. I'd go into the shop for advise before riding if I was you. I can't wait to go back!
> We also did the Burnside trails this morning. Brilliant if very techy singletrack. Worth doing if looking for a short ride around Aviemore. The guys in Bothy Bikes were very helpful with route advice.
Can you advise where these are, up there this weekend and may manage a wee break from the kids to get a blast on something
> They suggested up Bynack Mor, down to Loch Avon following boundary line shown on map, push along the loch then over to Loch Etchachan, push up Macdui then ride all the way down to ski centre.
I think they're pulling your plonker with that one Matt. You'd mainly be pushing and carrying from the end of Loch A'an to the top of Macdui. I love a bit of hike-a-bike but that's about 8k in one go. A mate (who likes to carry his bike even more than me) has done a variation of that and it melted his head! There are better ways to get those descents I think.
Good to have your input Dave. The chap was very enthusiastic about it and said he had done it the day before. Maybe I misunderstood his description. I'll check with my mate who was with me. Either way I still reckon the route you recommended is a classic. The descent from the summit of Macdui down to Lairig an Laoigh was an absolute belter.
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