I'm looking at doing a few routes up your way and wondered if anyone could give me some advice?
I'll have the family with me and want to make sure the routes will be okay for them too. Youngest is 9 and fairly capable (does mountain biking with us, raced BMX) but I don't want anything too difficult for her.
The first route I'm looking at is Mount Keen from the Glen Esk side. Heading up and back to Glen Esk. It looks like it should be pretty good, Anything I should know before we go there on the bikes?
Second area I'm looking at is the Sidlaws. I've heard a few times that there is some good mtb trails in this area but I'm not overly familiar with it and was hoping for some advice on where to go in this area...
My parents live not too far from Forfar and we're up there on a regular basis. The kids are all now well into their mountain bikes so I'd like to explore as much as possible.
Cheers
Post up on trailscotland, plenty of members from that necks the woods.
I wouldnt suggest the mt keen loop as family friendly its fairly involved with bo escape routes try the horseshoe loop via auchlettie farm startig at same carpark.
Or do glen tanar as a family from aboyne side
Sidlaws ill need to draw up a map
cheers, I'll look into the horseshoe loop, sounds interesting.
Any maps would be most welcome, thanks
oh, we've walked a fair bit at Loch Lee and surrounding area, that looks good for mtb too, is it?
Agree with Trail-rat (for once), Mount keen is pretty full on for kids.
Angus Trails did sons route cards, have a look here.
Im sure youre daughter's an competent cyclist, but Mount Keen loop + 9y/o = embarrassing call to parents to pick up from Glen Tanar at best, or mountain rescue at worst. there's heaps of options up the Angus Glens, for shorter circuits in and/or longer rides linking two or more of the following Glens - Lethnot, Ogil, Moy, Clova, Doll, Prosen and Isla. These are real hills, but the tops are generally lower and you're never too far from civilisation (with the exception of upper Clova/Doll, where you can tick off a couple of Munros and head over into Deeside - again prob a bit too commiting for a 9 y/o. Have fun wherever you end up.
Saying that maybe she's National Champ and kicking Senior butts on a regular basis, in which case, the Mount Keen -Fungle circuit is a decent one. Saying that, 9y/o National Champs tend to be pretty lightweight...I've almost had to crawl over mt keen before, because of hurricane force winds. 😯
clubby, those cards are ace! Are there any more?
Thanks for the info superfinlay, we may walk up first to check it out and then decide. Thinking about taking the tent now as there is so much to do..
Sidlaws used to be great but a lot of the lower stuff was quite overgrown last time XI was up there.Still some good ridding though, nothing marked mind.
south of the river is Pittmedden forrest,some good stuff in there;but again unmarked so you may suffer from being unable to see the wood for trees,take a local if you can.
Tentsmuir is flat and fast but a good laugh.
Sidlaws were a bit boggy last time i was up there, seen a few vids on YouTube and it looks like they have done some work up kinnoull hill (perth) that might be worth a look.
Kinoull Hill I have heard about as well, what's the best way to a starting point? Up past the hospital?
Cheers
I'm not sure it's been a few years since I've been up and can't really remember.
Dundee route cards
[url= http://www.dmbins.com/system/resources/BAhbBlsHOgZmSSIxMjAxMS8xMS8wNS8xNC8xNy81MS83MzYvRHVuZGVlUm91dGVDYXJkcy5wZGYGOgZFVA/DundeeRouteCards.pdf ]http://www.dmbins.com/system/resources/BAhbBlsHOgZmSSIxMjAxMS8xMS8wNS8xNC8xNy81MS83MzYvRHVuZGVlUm91dGVDYXJkcy5wZGYGOgZFVA/DundeeRouteCards.pdf[/url]
Highland Perthshire
[url= http://www.dmbins.com/riders/where-to-ride/34_highland-perthshire-trails ]http://www.dmbins.com/riders/where-to-ride/34_highland-perthshire-trails[/url]
They and others can be found here
[url= http://www.dmbins.com/riders/where-to-ride ]http://www.dmbins.com/riders/where-to-ride[/url]
Fantastic info deus, thanks for that!
More than enough to get us going
😀