Ben Alder, Scotland

Distance 52.7km (32.7 miles) Climbing 1,300m (4,265ft) Time 6hrs to 9hrs

Route summary A big, tough, classic day out in the Scottish mountains, with stunning views, bothies, singletrack and remote riding to reward the brave and it

Start/ inish Dalwhinnie station parking (postcode PH19 1AB, grid ref NN 634/849)

1

Ride through the parking area and over the level crossing, then follow the Ben Alder estate road along the loch edge, south-west. After 8km, shortly before Ben Alder Lodge, bear right at the fork towards Loch Pattack. 2

Proceed ahead/left on this track, turning left on a rougher trail shortly before Loch Pattack and keeping right to join alongside Allt a’ Chaoil-reidhe. Go over a precarious bridge and bear left, towards Culra Bothy, bearing left o the main track on singletrack, staying beside the water. 3

Climb Bealach Dubh (the final few hundred metres are a hike-a-bike a air), then descend. There’s then another small climb at Bealach Cumhann before you drop down towards Ben Alder cottage. 4

Turn left 100m or so before the cottage, onto a really horrible steep, grassy, soul-destroying hike-a-bike section for around 2km, up Bealach Breabag. When you crest the top, though, you can see the reward – a lovely long singletrack descent past Bealach Beithie. 5

Rejoin the banks of Allt a’ Chaoil-reidhe (on the opposite side from earlier) and retrace your outward-bound route from the bridge you crossed earlier. Follow this trail from before all the way back to Dalwhinnie.

LOCATION DETAILS

This route circumnavigates Ben Alder, the highest mountain in the remote Scottish Highlands. The terrain is rough and remote, so is suited to experienced riders only. Avoid it when the weather is bad. Dalwhinnie is famous for its whisky, and the distillery here is well worth a visit afterwards for a celebratory dram.

GETTING THERE

Dalwhinnie is on the A9, south-west of Kingussie, on the western edge of the Cairngorms National Park. There’s a railway station at the start of the ride.

MAPS & BOOKS

Ordnance Survey Landranger 42: Glen Garry and Loch Rannoch. Scotland Mountain Biking: The Wild Trails by Phil McKane (Vertebrate

Publishing).

FACILITIES

Eat at the Snack Shack cafe and takeaway in Dalwhinnie (01528 522331); there are no facilities on the ride. The Inn in Dalwhinnie has closed. For overnighters, try Kingussie Accommodation on the A9 (01540 662269, www.kingussieaccommodation.

co.uk). If you’re in need of spares or repairs, head to Mikes Bikes in Aviemore (01479 810478, www.

aviemorebikes.co.uk). For further details on Scotch whisky distilleries, check out www.malts.com.