Tour of the Cairngorms

Four days of epic wilderness riding in the shadows of the Cairngorm mountains. Scottish mountain biking at its best.

Trip Summary

Total distance: 185km / 115 miles (Average 46km / 29 miles per day)

4 days wilderness mountain bike riding with a qualified guide
3 nights Bed & Breakfast accommodation
All meals for duration of trip
Full mechanical support
Transfers from Glasgow at the beginning of the trip, and back at the end
All transfers during the trip
All baggage transfers

Cost? £295 with bunkhouse accommodation

Upgrade all accommodation to B&B £45 (based on two sharing).

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View photos from our tours on Flickr

We can run this trip on any date for groups of 3 or more. Contact us with your requirements.

Itinerary

Day 1: Blair Atholl – Kingussie (53km)

A committing first day. Ten kilometres of tarmac on the old roads of the Sustrans cycle route from Blair Atholl to Dalnacardoch Lodge act as a nice warm up, stretching out the legs for the first hour. Once we (very carefully) cross the busy main road heading towards to Gaick Pass there are no escape routes and few signs of civilisation until we rejoin the cycle route at Tromie Bridge. On the way we ride through the great trench of Loch an Duin on some wonderful flowing singletrack, past Gaick Lodge and then follow the River Tromie through ancient natural woodland down Glen Tromie. At Tromie Bridge a few kilometres of tarmac takes us past Ruthven barracks and into Kingussie and the first overnight stop.

Day 2: Kingussie – Tomintoul (59km)

The morning sees us riding through ancient forests of Scots pine over the Moor of Feshie, past Loch an Eilean with its island castle and through the sandy singletrack of Rothiemurchus estate to lunch at Loch Morlich. After lunch we head through the Ryvoan pass and over the Braes of Abernethy to Tomintoul, the highest village in the Highlands.

Day 3: Tomintoul – Braemar (38km)

A shorter day today, but once out of Tomintoul, our tyres won’t touch tarmac until the day ends at Braemar. A gradual ascent following the River Avon brings us to the northern end of Glen Bulig. We descend to the Loch and follow the singletrack along the lochside to our lunch stop at the ruins of Lochbulig Lodge. After lunch we climb to our high point of the day on the western flank of Cullardoch, before descending for almost 10km to meet the road at Invercauld Bridge. A few kilometres of tarmac and we’re at our third overnight stop in Braemar.

Day 4: Braemar – Blair Atholl (35km)

From Braemar we head west on tarmac to Linn of Dee, before hitting the dirt aiming towards White Bridge. At White Bridge we head south, passing the mouth of the Lairig Ghru with stunning views towards the giants of the Cairngorms, Ben Macdui and Cairn Toul. Our lunch stop is at Bedford Bridge, which spans the mouth of Tarf Water at the spectacular Falls of Tarf. The afternoon gives the perfect end to the trip – a 20 km we descend down the beautiful Glen Tilt, and back to the starting point in Blair Atholl which we left four days earlier.

How difficult is it?

This trip is rated as “challenging” as it involves long days in the saddle in remote and often challenging off road terrain. To complete the trip comfortably you should be riding regularly and confident that you can complete long rides with 4 – 6 hours in the saddle. You should also be confident at handing moderately difficult trail obstacles such as narrow singletrack, rocks and roots.

How many people will be on the trip?

Trips are limited to a maximum of six participants, to maintain a good atmosphere within the group and also to minimise impact on other trail users. Small groups also mean that our guides will have plenty of time to help you work on those bike skills out on the trails.

What do I need to bring?