TORRIDON, SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS

DISTANCE 35.1KM (21.8 MILES) CLIMBING 1,380M (4,527FT) TIME 4HRS TO 7HRS

Route summary: A remote route in the stunning Scottish mountains, with amazing views and technical, rocky riding. The trails stand up well to the rain, but don’t go into the mountains in bad conditions. This is one of the very best routes in the UK, so treat yourself to it in decent weather Start: Annat, roadside parking (postcode IV22 2EU, grid ref NG 894/544)

Join a track by the shore and house/driveway to East Lodge, between two low stone walls. Climb and turn sharply left within 100m, through an old gate and onto the open hillside. Follow this stone track gradually uphill, to Loch an Eoin.

Bear left at the loch, along the edge and then down the obvious manmade trail at Bealach na Lice. Turn left at the T-junction, by a tor, and climb (hike-a-bike) up over Bealach Ban on a bright white stone trail, then across the flat Coire Grannda to shoulder your bike (again).

Drop down the far side, with some very technical sections in places, for a long descent, eventually entering the trees. Go through a deer fence and right on the fireroad. Pass through another gate and turn right down a track, over the railway and down to the road. Go right on this for 6km, to Coulags.

Turn right just before the road goes over the river and bears sharply left, onto a track that crosses the road. Bear left o the main track before the house and follow alongside the river (Fionn-abhainn). Cross the bridge and continue alongside the water. You can also take the Maol Chean-dearg extension here.

Climb gradually to Loch Coire Fionnaraich, where the trail becomes steeper (and a hike-a-bike a air). At the junction at Bealach na Lice again, bear left, up over the pass and alongside Loch an Eoin again, and retrace your earlier steps back down to Annat.