Scotland Mountain Biking - Wild Trails Vol.2 - Sample Pages

Scotland Mountain Biking – Wild Trails Vol. 2 features 24 classic mountain bike rides across Scotland. Like the original Wild Trails guidebook, this book features rides suitable for all levels of mountain bikers.

Split into three sections, Southern and Central Scotland, North West Scotland & Islands and North East Scotland – this book includes challenging mountain passes, endless singletrack, lochside cruises and more, all in a country named a ‘Global Superstar’ by the International Mountain Biking Association.

Written by a Scottish Mountain Bike Guide, each route is described with:

» Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 maps » easy-to-follow directions » details of distance, times and difficulty » refreshment stops and local knowledge

810F VG 06/12

SCOTLAND MOUNTAIN BIKING – Wild Trails Vol.2

designed & published by Vertebrate Publishing

Wild Trails Vol.2

Written by

PRICE: £15.95

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Cover.indd 1

Phil McKane 13/06/2012 10:33

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 2

11/06/2012 15:09

Wild Trails Vol. 2

Written by

Phil McKane Photography by Andy McCandlish

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 3

11/06/2012 15:09

Wild Trails Vol. 2 Copyright

© 2012 Vertebrate Graphics Ltd and Phil McKane

Published by Vertebrate Publishing.

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanised, including photocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems – without the written permission of the publisher.

ISBN 978-1-906148-52-2 Cover photo: Andy McKenna in the Cairngorms.

Back cover photo: Torridon singletrack.

Photography by Andy McCandlish, unless otherwise credited.

All maps reproduced by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright. 100025218 Design by Nathan Ryder, production by Jane Beagley. www.v-graphics.co.uk Printed in China.

Every effort has been made to achieve accuracy of information in this guidebook.

The authors, publishers and copyright owners can take no responsibility for: loss or injury (including fatal) to persons; loss or damage to property or equipment; trespass, irresponsible riding or any other mishap that may be suffered as a result of following the route descriptions or advice offered in this guidebook. The inclusion of a track or path as part of a route, or otherwise recommended, in this guidebook does not guarantee that the track or path will remain a Right of Way. If conflict with landowners arises we advise that you act politely and leave by the shortest route available. If the matter needs to be taken further then please take it up with the relevant authority.

PLEASE GIVE WAY TO HORSES AND PEDESTRIANS.

Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vii Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii How to Use this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii Access Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Estate Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix Weather & Terrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x Midges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x Bothies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi The Bike . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi Essential Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi General Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xii In the Event of an Accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii Rules of the (Off) Road . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii Planning Your Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii Maps & Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv Gaelic Translations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiv

SECTION 1 – S outhern &

Central Scotland

Southern & Central Scotland Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvi Southern & Central Scotland Area Map & Route Finder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1 u Goat Fell – Isle of Arran – 19km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2 u Peebles & Dun Rig – 38km . . . . . . 11 3 u Screel Hill – 6.5km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 4 u T he Cheviot Border Raid – 30km . . 21 5 u The Greenock Cut – 11km . . . . . . . 27 6 u The Kilpatrick Hills – 18km . . . . . 31 7 u The Lowther Hills – 28km . . . . . . . . 35 8 u The Perthshire Glens – 35km . . 39

SECTION 2 – N orth West Scotland

North West Scotland & Islands Area Map & Route Finder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 9 u B en Damph Estate – Torridon – 22km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 10 u Ben Nevis – 19km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 11 u Fort Augustus & Glen Moriston – 38km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 12 u Glen Golly & the Bealach Horn – 37km . . . . . . . . . 65 13 u Blackwater Reservoir & the Ciaran Path – 40km . . . . . . 71 14 u Durinish Peninsula – Isle of Skye – 43km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 15 u Isle of Harris – 25km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 16 u The Applecross Peninsula – 33km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 17 u Mini Coast-to-Coast – Ardgay to Ullapool – 57km . . . . . . 91

SECTION 3 – N orth East Scotland North East Scotland Introduction . . . . . 98 North East Scotland Area Map & Route Finder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102 18 u Bennachie – 10km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 19 u Linn of Dee Loop – 26km . . . . . . . 109 20 u Loch an Eilein – 13km . . . . . . . . . . . . 113 21 u Lochnagar Loop – 44km . . . . . . . . . 117 22 u The Angus Glens – 35km . . . . . . . . 123 23 u The Lomond Hills – 15km . . . . . . 129 24 u The Lairig an Laoigh – 56km + 33km . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Appendix

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

140

& Islands

North West Scotland & Islands Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

ROUTE GRADES u = MEDIUM u = HARD u = EXTREME (see page viii)

CONTENTS

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 5

v

11/06/2012 15:09

the devil’s point in the Lairig ghru (route 20) photo: phil mckane

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 6

11/06/2012 15:09

Introduction My first volume of Scotland Mountain Biking The Wild Trails is full of classic routes which showcase the best of Scottish cross-country mountain biking.

Since that guide was published in 2009, the evolution of mountain bikes and mountain biking has continued apace. Every year bikes are getting tougher and more able to cope with technical terrain. Due to this, the way many of us ride has changed too – the challenge of technical terrain is as important, if not more so, than the number of miles covered.

Wild Trails Vol. 2 reflects this evolution. The emphasis is on quality singletrack and awesome descents in jaw dropping and often little visited locations. There are still a few all day epics – after all, nothing beats a big day out in proper mountains. In general the routes are a wee bit shorter, but with more of a technical challenge.

As with the first volume of Wild Trails, this book is just a taste of what’s out there. A map and a bit of research will open the door to a lifetime of amazing Scottish riding.

Phil McKane

INTRODUCTION

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 7

vii

11/06/2012 15:09

1

SECTION

Southern & Central Scotland

Southern and Central Scotland is home to most of the country’s population, but it is by no means crowded. Great mountain bike routes can be found starting in the suburbs of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and fantastic wilderness trails can be found just a short journey from these cities.

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 16

11/06/2012 15:09

screel hill

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 1

1 11/06/2012 15:09

the greenock cut

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 2

11/06/2012 15:09

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 3

Southern & Central Scotland

3

11/06/2012 15:09

5

1

Southern & Central Scotland

area map & route finder

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

4

goat Fell – Isle of Arran . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p7 Peebles & Dun Rig . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p11 Screel hill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p17 The Cheviot Border Raid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p21 The greenock Cut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p27 The Kilpatrick hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p31 The lowther hills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p35 The Perthshire glens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p39 ScoTlAnD MTB – wIlD TRaIlS vOl. 2

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 4

11/06/2012 15:09

8

6

2

4 7

southern & central scotland

3 Š Crown Copyright and/or database right. all rights reserved. liCenCe number 100025218.

SOUTHERN & CENTRal SCOTlaND AREA MAP & RoUTE FInDER

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 5

5

11/06/2012 15:09

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 6

11/06/2012 15:09

01 Goat Fell – Isle of Arran Introduction

The Isle of Arran is often described as ‘Scotland in miniature’, since it has rugged mountains in its northern half and low level pasture land in the south.

The main town, Brodick, is a one hour ferry ride from the mainland and is the hub of mountain biking on the island.

Thanks to the work of Arran Bike Club, blue, red and black graded trails have been marked out giving easily accessible riding for all levels of mountain biker.

This ride is something a wee bit different: Goatfell stands as Arran’s tallest peak and although this ride doesn’t go right to the summit, it still manages over 600m of continuous descent on a mixture of rocky singletrack and faster open trail.

Going up is tough, but the descent’s a riot! Bear in mind that Goatfell is popular with walkers, so choose your day wisely 01 Arran for this ride.

The Ride

Starting at the ferry terminal in Brodick, Sustrans Cycle Route 73 leads north along the coast to High Corrie. The climbing begins on a track which follows the Corrie Burn upstream. The path is well maintained but it’s incredibly steep and rocky, with several sections of rock steps meaning that some hike-a-bike will be involved. It can be extreme at times, but rest assured it’s well worth it for the ensuing descent. There’s a brief respite when the gradient eases, but it soon rears up again on the climb around Meall Breac. A cairn at around the 620m contour marks the high point of the route – time to lose all that hard won altitude in five breakneck kilometres back down to sea level.

GOATFELL

ALTITUDE PROFILE

Metres

600

0

19km

0 Km

2

4

6

Goat Fell – Isle of Arran

8

10

12

14

16

18

GRADE: u

Total Distance: 19km » Total Ascent: 700m » Time: 2.5–4 hours » Start/Finish: Brodick Pier » Start Grid Ref: NS 022360 » Satnav: Ardrossan harbour ka22 8dh » parking: Ardrossan harbour » OS Map: Explorer 361 Isle of Arran » PUB: Pierhead Tavern, Tel: 01770 600 418 » Café: bilslands, brodick, TEL: 01770 302 272 contact: Arran Estate Office, Tel: 01770 302 203 » Ferry Times: Caledonian MacBrayne, Tel: 01475 650 100

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 7

01 Goat Fell – Isle of Arran – GRADE u

7

11/06/2012 15:09

Directions – G oat Fell – Isle of Arran From the ferry terminal pick up Sustrans Cycle Route 73 and follow this across the river and north out of Brodick for 8km to Corrie.

2

Turn L onto the track which climbs between the cottages of High Corrie and along the edge of the wood. This starts off as a wide vehicle track with great views of Am Binnein ahead. It quickly narrows down to a narrow singletrack which climbs through a gap in the woods alongside the Corrie Burn. The path is extremely rocky and has sections of stone steps built in to reduce erosion, meaning there will be some hike-abike required.

3

After 2.2km, turn L at the track junction and ford the Corrie Burn. The gradient is a little less severe for the next 300m, but it ramps up steeply again as it climbs around Meall Breac.

4

At the cairn which marks the junction of the two tracks, the 874m summit of Goatfell is still high above. However you can congratulate yourself on having made it to the high point of the ride and prepare for some downhill action. The first part of the descent is extremely rocky and technical, but if you can take your eyes off the trail the views down over Brodick Bay and to the Ayrshire coast are superb.

5

After 2km go through the deer gate then cross the burn on the small wooden footbridge. The track is still very rocky initially, but it opens out and becomes smoother as you get lower down the mountain. Finally a fast and loose forest road brings you back to the tarmac at the north end of Brodick Bay.

6

At the main road turn R and follow the Sustrans Cycle Route back to the ferry terminal.

8

Scotland MTB – wild trails vol. 2

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 8

11/06/2012 15:09

01 Goat Fell – Isle of Arran © Crown Copyright and/or database right. All rights reserved. Licence number 100025218.

810f Scotland MTB Book 2 Inside.indd 9

01 Goat Fell – Isle of Arran – GRADE u

9

11/06/2012 15:09