CAIRNGORMS, SCOTLAND

DISTANCE 295KM (183 MILES) CLIMBING 3,500M (11,482FT) TIME 4+ DAYS

The route: A circular ride that circumnavigates the Cairngorms National Park, with an outer and inner loop, enabling you to shorten the ride if preferred. There are some hike-a-bike sections and river crossings

Start: Blair Atholl station (postcode PH18 5SG, grid ref: NN 870/653)

1

Head west, parallel to the A9 and the River Garry. Proceed north up the valley along Edendon Water to Loch an Duin, passing the Gaick Forest and into Glen Tromie. After Inshriach Forest, you have the option to join the smaller inner loop or continue on the outer loop for a shorter ride.

2

Ride through Rothiemurchus Forest to Loch Morlich, around the back of Cairn Gorm and into Glen Derry. After reaching the Linn of Dee and bearing west once more, cross the White Bridge. Head along the Geldie Burn and into Glen Feshie, which returns you to Feshiebridge.

3

Join the road to and past Inverdruie (and Aviemore), to the huge Abernethy Forest. Follow the mountain tracks east to Tomintoul and south along the River Avon, through the Grampian Mountains, to Braemar.

4 A road along the valley delivers you back to the Linn of Dee. Continue, to cross the White Bridge again. Keep southbound, bearing around the peak of Beinn a’ Ghlò to make your way back to Blair Atholl to finish.

THE LOCATION The Cairngorms National Park, in the Scottish Highlands, offers a spectacular landscape spanning 4,528km². The Cairngorm mountain range forms part of the park, along with other hills such as the Angus Glens, Monadhliath Mountains and some lower areas, all of which provide amazing places to rides.

GETTING THERE Blair Atholl is just off the A9, on the southern edge of the Cairngorms National Park, just north of Pitlochry. There’s a railway station here, which is a stop on the Caledonian Sleeper service from London (www.scotrail.co.uk)

USEFUL INFO: For detailed information about cycling in the area, visit www.cairngormsloop.net.

FACILITIES: There are few amenities along the route so you’ll need to be very well-prepared and experienced for this ride.