Badger Divide over 4 Days. How was it for you?

For me, the badger divide felt like it was in two parts.

Inverness to Killin was remote, hilly, the pass was brutal. A slight worry about having enough food etc. The riding was amazing, the sights were wonderful. I loved riding to corrour station to get something to eat. A mountain bike was the right Choice for this section.

Killin to glasgow felt like a completely different bike ride. It felt mainly on road or bike paths, forest roads etc, and about half the climbing. A gravel bike would have been more suited for this section.

I felt once we came down off the big hill and followed the river to Killin we had broken the back of the badger.

We did it in 4 days. Day 1 was travelling to Inverness and then cycled out 17 miles to find a camp spot above Loch Ness.

The last day into Glasgow felt so easy compared to the 2nd day going over the pass.

I think 4 full days riding would be about the right pace/distance with gear.

I'm not a fan of pushing a heavy bike packing bike over a huge pass. I think id have struggled on a bike with no gear! Glad I've done it but wouldn't be in a rush to do it again.

I think my favourite parts were Inverness to fort Augustus and the other side of the pass to killin.

Killin to glasgow was good but it just felt a big contrast to the first half. We did miss out the boggy part after the railway line and continued on the cycle path as per recommendations on here.

https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/badger-divide-2/

Great cheers for the thread link, I'd had a search but couldn't find anything recent, I'll have a read through on nightshift.

I'll get my wife to fill me in on details too, they're down off the pass tonight. Not much signal so not sure how tough they found it!

We did it a couple of weekends ago over 4 days but finished in Dunblane instead of Glasgow so a slightly shorter route.

If you are looking to get over the pass on day 1 then that will be a big day - about 7000ft of climbing and 60 miles.

We got the train from Edinburgh on Thursday evening, got to Inverness about 21:30 and rode for about 14 miles. It's a steep climb initially but soon flattens off - we camped just after Abriachan forest before the drop down to Drumnadrochit.

Day 1 was a leisurely breakfast in Drumnadrochit and then along the great glen way to Ft Augustus - there was a fair bit of climbing on this section but nothing too taxing. Late lunch and a couple of pints in FA and then on to the pass - it's about 9 miles of climbing. I probably pushed a third but was slow going all the way. The descent was fun though, absolutely bombed it all the way down to the bothy which we had all to ourselves. There was no furniture in the living area but upstairs were clean and dry.

Day 2 was tough - not nearly as hilly as day 1 but we had a brutal 20mph headwind all the way to Corrour Station. The scenery was lovely though. We had planned lunch at Corrour but arrived later than anticipated at 3pm. The kitchen shuts between 3pm and 5pm but they kindly did us 3 massive bowls if chips to go with some nice craft beer they had on draught.

Refuelled and with a tailwind, good progress was made - after a short climb, the descent down to Loch Eigheach was rough but great followed by a pleasant stretch of tarmac down to Bridge of Gaur. We decided to follow the shore road along the side of loch Rannoch instead of the rather than go up through the forrest. We camped a few miles along by the loch but should have pressed on a bit further as there is a cracking camp site just after you turn off for Glen Lyon - they only charge £5 for hikers/cyclists. The sun was out now and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, it was a decent climb up from Loch Rannoch followed by another fast, rough and fun descent down to Glen Lyon - we had lunch in the sun at the tea room which was great - good food in a lovely wee spot. The road then follows the river up the glen for a good few miles. This was another lovely stretch of the route, slight uphill but easy riding in beautiful surroundings. It's then a steep road climb out of the glen followed by a fast tarmac descent down to Glen lochay. This was eroded tarmac with a lot of surface gravel in places so some care was needed. The road down to Killin from here was pleasant but all tarmac - we got there early afternoon so got some supplies in the supermarket and then had tea at the pub next to the bridge/falls. We camped a few miles south of Killin but this was a much easier day than the first two.

Day 4 - this was all cycle path all the way to Callander - we could have easily done this bit the day before and finished day 3 here. We stayed on the national cycle route after lochearnhead so we could get a cooked breakfast at Mhor 84 and avoid the A84. It was a nice ride with some great loch views. We got to Callander about noon, the sun was out again so we got some ice-creams and ate them down on the green by the river. It was less than 15 miles to Dunblane so we just pootled our way there enjoying the great weather. Got the train at 14:30 and was back in Edinburgh before 4pm.

It was a great route with some lovely scenery, nothing too technical and the only really difficult climb was the corrieyairack pass. We had a fairly leisurely approach and managed it comfortably in 4 days (albeit a slightly shorter version).

@rudedog cheers for that, I think I read about you guys on the other thread? 🙂

I’m just back from the Killin to Glasgow 2 day tag along. Wife and the other 2 had a great time on the whole thing. My wife is keen to do it again with me in September over 4 days, which she feels she’d be able to do. So I think that’s the plan now.

My bike did great for its first loaded ride too (although pretty light load as I didn’t have to carry the stove or tent).

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I did it in 3 days in summer '21 and B&Bing rather than camping.

For me, the badger divide felt like it was in two parts.

Very much this, although I'd almost break it down further. Killin to Aberfoyle was mostly undemanding but very pleasant riding. South and into Glasgow was, to be frank, a bit shit. Very beaten up chunks of the WHW and some tedious, slightly hairy (partly weather related) road sections.

Inverness to Fort Augustus was great riding (was on a gravel bike) and really enjoyed it. Technical enough to be challenging, but not overly rough. Correyairack climb was a ****, although rode all of it albeit with plenty of stops. The descent to Laggan was hard work.

Laggan to Killin was much technically easier and was probably the aesthetic highlight. Just flowed along very nicely with great views.

Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I'd jump on this one.

I'm doing the badger divide over 3 days, north to south, from the 2nd to 4th of June. Getting the sleeper up to Inverness on the night of the first for an early start.

Plan is to make it over the corrieyairack pass on day one and stop in or near Killin on day 2 then make the sleeper at Glasgow Central by 10pm on day 3.

Current plan is to take my hubba hubba tent.

Suppose I'm just after any thoughts or opinions from experience, like, what's the resupply options between FA and Killin? Corrour and Rannoch stations look like good spots for proper meals but is there any shops near the route on that section?

The Cafe and post office at Bridge of Balgie has both cafe food and some (limited) other food to take away. Basics like bread, tins of soup or beans etc

Laggan hotel and is there still a cafe at Laggan trail centre?

Theres a cafe/art gallery in Glen Lyon.

Getting over the Correyairack, you’re basically into Laggan anyway, so hot meal at the hotel then camp up for the night a bit further on?

If going straight from Correyairack to a hotel/B&B then the Rumblie is my top option. The owners can track you from a fair distance away and will have dinner ready accordingly!

I did it north to south a few years ago, 3 days camping.

If I was doing it again and fancied an easier ride I'd aim to:

- arrive mid-day into Inverness

- hotel/B&B in Fort Augustus

- hostel in Loch Ossian

- hotel/B&B in Killin

Then either train out of Glasgow, or if too far then overnight in Drymen.

Alas, The Rumblie in Laggan is no more.

scotroutesFull Member
Alas, The Rumblie in Laggan is no more.

NNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Genuinely gutted about that. Always wanted to go for another visit when feeling less like I was coming down with hypothermia*

*Our Badger day 1 was a touch brutal

Did it last year with my wife over 4 glorious June days. Stopped at hostels in Fort Augustus and Loch Ossian, then a camping pod in Stratheyre. My main takeaways were:

- Whilst there was a decent amount of road, I was happy on my FS MTB. It's nice not to worry about the terrain coming up, knowing you and bike will be fine.

- Don't underestimate Corrieyairack. It's very long and arguably tougher the further up you get. Doing it first thing in the morning was tough enough, let alone after the first section from Inverness.

- Glen Lyon was beautiful but the post office was closed when we were there, which meant I was very glad to have spare food with me to make it through to Killin.

- Some of the route into Glasgow wasn't great (looking at you, WHW) but there is a satisfaction in arriving in the centre. Other than maybe 1 mile of big road, it was actually quite pleasant and took in places in the city I'd never known existed.

I am planning to ride the route this year (south to north) and having read very contrasting opinions of the Glen Ample section, I'm interested in whether it is actually worth riding, or if the cycle route is a better option? I haven't been up Glen Ample before, so would be interested if it is actually decent riding, but would prefer to avoid unnecessary muddy hike-a-bike.

I also saw the Pipetrack suggested as an alternative to the WHW on the southern section of the route.

The main problem with Glen Ample is when heading South. It feels like a never end series of short rocky undulations instead of one climb. Heading North should be better, you'll have a hefty climb to start with but then you'll be descending the undulations instead. Probably also better on a MTB heading North too

I’ll post this again for info from my 2021 Badger. Getting started, doing the great glen way and the corryack on day 1 is BIG.

Badger Divide

331km

30km Drumnadrochit Pub

52km Invermoriston Shop & Cafe

62km Fort Augustus lots of options

74km Blackburn Corrieyack Bothy

140km Loch Ossian YHA

143km Corrour Station Cafe 8:30-8pm

170km Rannoch Station tea room (off route) 8-4:30

165km Bridge of Gaur

190km Kinloch Rannoch Tea room (off route)

190km Bridge of Balgie Tea room

226km Killin lots of options

238km Lochearnhead shop

255km Callander lots of options and YHA

280km Aberfoyle lots of options

297km Drymen

331km End.

Thanks. I will be riding a gravel bike. Not bothered by climbs, as long as the Glen Ample track is actually rideable, just not a fan of hike-a-bike if I can avoid it!

I am planning to ride the route this year (south to north)

Finally, somebody with some sense!

That's exactly the kind of info I'm after, thank you!

I completely understand getting over the pass on day 1 is a big ask, but going by previous bike packing trips, the distance and elevation gain is achievable for me.

Taking the tent is the back up plan, because I've no shame in admitting when I'm done in and ill just stop and get my head down.

Finally, somebody with some sense!

@scotroutes why is south to north a better option

It's a bit of an anti-climax riding through the Highlands to arrive in... Glasgow. *

(* I can understand the logistics work better for some folk)

> 238km Lochearnhead shop

Think this is now closed.

The distances are big. I was thinking of train down to Glasgow the day before. Early start Glasgow. Ride to Loch Ossian YH ( 190km). Day to ride the tougher second half to Inverness (141km). Travel light avoid any hike a bike sections.

I have done Laggan to Inverness in a day ride so Ossian isn’t much further but it’s day 2.

Still thinking through the best approach.

Apart from the final destination, does it ride better S to N, or N to S?

I suppose you have a better chance of a tailwind, broadly speaking. What about the hills?

I did it N-S purely for logistical reasons, and TBH the day/time of the train to Inverness that I could book my bike on dictated the timetable of the whole trip (as I can get back home from Glasgow just using 'commuter' trains).

Early start Glasgow. Ride to Loch Ossian YH ( 190km). 

Any reason you need to compress so much into 2 days, take 3 and enjoy it.

“Any reason you need to compress so much into 2 days, take 3 and enjoy it.”

Not sure why but I like big days on the bike. There’s something satisfying about starting early riding all day just stopping to refuel and nothing to worry about apart from the next big hill. I’m just trying to work out timings to finish day 1 with a meal at Corrour station house and figure out where to have breakfast on day 2, probably the cafe at Laggan Wolftrax, slight diversion.

@bonni - I reckon the Rannoch - Corrour section might be better Southbound but the Corrieyairack is definitely better Northbound. I just accept that there will be a push up the zigzags but then there's that loooooong descent down to Fort Augustus. Opinion seems to be that Glen Ample is better Northbound too..

It’s a bit of an anti-climax riding through the Highlands to arrive in… Glasgow. *

(* I can understand the logistics work better for some folk)

I'm planning to ride it in April of May south to north as well, mainly because the logistics will be easier

Why can I never get quotes to work properly on here lol

It’s a bit of an anti-climax riding through the Highlands to arrive in… Glasgow. *

I always thought that Inverness Castle to Stirling Castle would be a better book-end to a ride.

Hi All,

I rode the Reverse Badger in Oct 23 in 3 days.

After getting an uber early train from York to Glasgow I started at about 1100 from Glasgow Queen Street and headed North.  I was pretty confident that I would make Killin at the end of day one and then planned to make the bothy on the other side of the Corrieyairack Pass by day two's end and then Inverness for tea and medals on day three.

The reality was that I made Lochearnhead in the dark on day one and dribbled into a B&B wetter than an otters pocket, wild camped around Loch Laggan on day 2 and then limped into Inverness in the dark at about 2000hrs on day 3.  Tired.

It was all going well until I got off of the train.  It started raining in Glasgow and did not stop for the whole day.  My wild camp around Killin plan became untenable as the going was slow due to the conditions and by the time I made it as far as Lochearnhead it was dark and I was wet and there was nowhere easy to pitch a tent. 94km and 1348m of climbing in 5 hours and 51 minutes of movement.

Having dried out my kit on a towel rail and radiators I started day 2 and headed for Killin and then Glen Lyon.  A great stop at the Post Office in Bridge of Balgie in Glen Lyon then Loch Rannoch, Loch Ossian.  I planned to go to Carrour to eat but time ran away and I kept going until it got dark and then camped where I stopped.  122km and 2099m of climbing in 7 hours and 45 mins of movement.

Day 3 was a climby day with The Pass - which is brutal - and then all of the elevation along the banks of Loch Ness and then into Inverness.  For me, there was quite a bit that was just unrideable uphill which made it tougher and it was dark and I was in the woods for the last couple of hours to the finish.  I took decent lights and thank goodness.  114km and 2337m of climbing in 7 hours and 57 minutes of movement.

I did it on an On One Whippet with a 34 12/50.  The bike was just right and I think having done it on fat tyres and having spoken to others who have done it on gravel bikes it was the right choice.

So, much more difficult than I had imagined, much harder going and generally slower than planned.  Not helped by the weather and the time of year I suppose. However,  I am going to go back and try it from North to South!!

Dogsby

> 238km Lochearnhead shop

Think this is now closed.

Yes it is closed.

There's pubs 500m up the loch shore.

The shop always was a bit...

Rannoch – Corrour section might be better Southbound but the Corrieyairack is definitely better Northbound. I just accept that there will be a push up the zigzags but then there’s that loooooong descent down to Fort Augustus. Opinion seems to be that Glen Ample is better Northbound too..

If winter doesn't return I'm probably going to burn some leave doing this S-N in Feb.  My mum lives about 5 mins off the route in Glasgow, so that's easy.  I was thinking about 3 days, not including the very short ride from Queen Street station to my mum's house, but then one of my boys expressed an interest (they have a few days off school), so I think four days to keep it 'challenging' without becoming fully 'Type 2', going by the comments on here sounds about right.

@GavinB - With camping equipment or travelling light?

This thread has had me watching YT videos and reading articles about the route. More of them than I expected talk about ‘failure’ and dropping out at Corrour Station, mainly due to an underestimation of changeable weather, terrain and the solitude of solo traveling in grim conditions. It certainly looks like a challenge.

As someone else mentioned, on a map it’s pretty easy to think that the main obstacle is the C pass and to underestimate the rest of the route. However, watching some of those videos, even the Great Glen section is quite a decent ride on its own, especially when laden with baggage. I hadn’t realised the GG section was so undulating (I know - naive or what!) and even had a bit of (very) mild tech.

 I hadn’t realised the GG section was so undulating (I know – naive or what!) and even had a bit of (very) mild tech.

Yep, there's 4,000ft of climbing Inverness-Fort Augustus.

Also, while the 'Pass' has less climbing South-North, the gradient North-South is fully rideable.

I hadn’t realised the GG section was so undulating (I know – naive or what!) and even had a bit of (very) mild tech.

I used to work renting bikes and driving a cyclists taxi service out of Inverness and many folk wanted to ride the GGW, mostly after seeing photos and videos of the canalside section between FW and FA. Many wouldn't believe us when we recommended MTBs rather than touring bikes or hybrids. I would certainly ride it on a gravel bike but that's me being comfortable with rougher conditions and a bit of experience off-road.

FWIW although I've ridden 90% of the sections, I've not ridden the BD in one go, but should really get around to doing so. I'm thinking 1/2 day, 2 full days and another 1/2 day should do it and would make the food/overnight stops convenient. And yes, I'll be heading North.

With camping equipment or travelling light?

Depends.  I'd prefer to travel as light as possible, but accommodation options are quite limited once north of Killin, until FA.  The YH at Corrour is booked out, so that leaves a pretty long stretch.  Bothies might be an alternative, but if I'm planning on staying in bothies, I prefer to be carrying a tent anyway, just in case you get there and it's full of weirdos!

One advantage of going N -> S is that the harder terrain is dealt with in the first part of the ride rather than having to do it on tired legs. I agree with those that say the GGW between Inverness and Forat Augustus is harder than the corrieyairack pass (and I think feel a bit less rewarding). That said I think either direction is a good ride.

When I did my (sort of) Badger last year I decided to miss the GGW in favour of a route though Strathnairn to the South of Loch Ness. This was partly logistical (allowed me to avoid riding through Inverness City Centre from my house) and also partly to avoid the August crowds on GGW. It meant fewer re-stock options along that stretch meaning a wee detour to find some water but I personally much preferred it to the GGW. Definitely more tarmac involved but not the kind of tarmac you regret riding. The route I took is here for anyone interested:

https://www.strava.com/activities/12038154836

I’d prefer to travel as light as possible, but accommodation options are quite limited once north of Killin, until FA

I had the same issue so opted to go via Dalwhinnie instead. It's a bit of a detour but I found it to be a fun alternative.

Rode it last year from Glasgow north. We took hardtails and used panniers as we had loads of gear for comfy wild camping all the way. I'd rather ride north as the scenery gets better as you go. 4 days, 3 wild camps to chill out and enjoy it.

I had the same issue so opted to go via Dalwhinnie instead

Interesting.  Did you scoot all the way along Loch Ericht towards Dalwhinnie?  I've only ever done the first bit of estate track heading the other direction towards Ben Alder.

I was going N-S and I decided to go over Drumochter then cut in along Loch Garry. Not sure what the trail is like along Loch Ericht but I suspect that's also a good way.

Loch Ericht is not a great route I believe there’s a lot of hike a bike if you go that way from or to get to Loch Rannoch. Much better to go Dalnaspiel, Loch Garry. It’s fine along to Ben Alder lodge then your best going up Pattack and over to Ardverickie estate.

Be aware if you do the Badger in winter some of the cafes only open April to October. Corrour station house is currently closed for winter and I think the Glen Lyon cafe is seasonal too.

Well that was rather good!

Just back from a 4 (and a bit day) N-S Badger(ish) ride with one of my boys.  Opted for comfort, rather than just 'getting it done', so needed to divert via Dalwhinnie after the second day, but that worked out fine.

First evening was a quick ride out to my mum's just off the route in Bearsden from Queen Street.  Nothing too noteworthy, other than a load of very big trees still blocking several bits of the route along the Kelvin.

First day was up to Killin.  A little snow on the ground and some small icy patches, but otherwise easy cruising up to Aberfoyle for a quick cafe stop, then over to Lochearnhead and an easy cruise up to Killin.

Day two was when we diverted off-route.  Having popped over to Glen Lyon, we rode all the way to Loch Rannoch, through Kinloch Rannoch, then north and across to Loch Garry, joining the NCN by the A9, giving us a short schlep along that to Dalwhinnie.  The Old School House Hostel there was a great stopover.

Day three was where we tracked back onto the 'proper' route, by heading down Loch Ericht, then cutting back NNW, to rejoin around Kinloch Laggan.  A quick reheat in the Melgarve bothy, then sloggedit up over the Corrieyairack, which had snow down to about 600m filling the track, so made for some interesting line choices.  Overnight was in Fort Augustus.

Final day was hard!  Although only about 65km, it packed nearly 1,500m climbing into that, so we got going early and took it easy, getting up to Drumnadrochit for 11, for a quick hot chocolate stop in the Deli, beofre grinding out the last section. 

The downloaded gpx was a bit of a pain at times, with several 'anomolies' causing me to have to recheck maps on my phone. Some were possibly just how the gpx had been interrpreted by the Komoot app, before syncing with my watch, but especially on the approach into Inverness, the route tried to take me right through an active building site (new housing), so easy enough to figure out, but if it had been in the dark it might have caused a few more issues.

N-S or S-N?  Not sure now. I'd convinced myself that it was better to head north, getting the more interesting terrain as you go on, but the final day wasn't all that spectacular, with most of it deep within forest blocks, grinding out monster climbs.  That said, it did give us a few days to get used to riding with the bikes packed up, and finishing by riding along the side of the Ness was really cool.

Sounds like an interesting variation. I assume you've ridden the Rannoch - Corrour - Ardverickie section previously? I'd say it's actually the highlight of the whole route. 

I just couldn't figure out an easy way of linking the section from Killin to Fort Augustus, in winter/February, before almost all of the available B&B/hotels are open for the season.  I was also trying to make sure that it was enjoyable for my boy, rather than something he'd never want to do again, so doing super-long days (we were riding for over 6 hrs each day as it was), or camping (-3º as we left Killin to head over to Glen Lyon) would probably have taken the fun away.

The alternative route across to Dalwhinnie was pretty scenic from Kinloch Rannoch, and the next morning heading down the side of Loch Ericht and then north from the lodge through Ardverikie was amazing, with stunning views across to Ben Alder, Geal Carn etc.

Distance-wise, it was about the same, possibly with slightly more climbing to climb 'up' to Dalwhinnie, then back through Ardverikie.  

Good on you @GavinB and your lad. I think I saw you both on the A9 section of the cylepath just about 4pm on Sunday 9 Feb as you were heading to Dalwhinnie. I was heading south in the car with my lad - we'd just been at Laggan - and I commented that you both looked like you were on an adventure.

@troutwrestler - that would have been us, for sure!

That cyclepath was FAST!  Super-smooth tarmac, gentle gradient descending down to Dalwhinnie from the pass and then every now and then it was covered in ice and snow - perfect after a long ride up from Killin!