[Closed] Cairngorm Inner Loop - Would you go?

You shandy-drinking southerner 😉

If the weather is bad on the tops, you could always re-route, and stick to a lower level loop. I did a good loop from Linn of Dee (which I think is a version of an inner Cairngorms loop), heading over to Glen Feshie, then Loch Morlich, took the path to the east of Bynack Mor, Fords of Avon then back to Linn of Dee.

I've not heard of major issues, but think some river crossings could still be quite fruity.

If the weather is what you say it is, I'd bin it, unless you want to do extreme bikepacking. That kind of weather up there is going to be brutal, and a matter of survival rather than enjoyment. If you have the full winter kit and want to drag it and yourself and your bike round it, then go for it. Otherwise, come back when Scotland decides to get some at least reasonable weather :-/

MWIS is always doom and gloom. I've taken to taking their forecast with a pinch of salt as it has proved to be wildly pessimistic in the past and I've missed great weather and adventures because of it.

However, reading the forecast they have put up for this weekend in your link, I'd be out there and having fun like a shot.

Tbh the route you describe will be masses of hike a bike at the moment, with not a massive amount of reward as you'll get blown about on the tops. The ground will also be wet and probably still patches of snow.

If it were me I'd still go but plan a lower level route where you'll get more riding done and some shelter from the worst of the weather. You could do something like

Aviemore > explore Burnside and make your way towards Nethy Bride and explore Abernethy Forest > head of Ryvoan Pass > Head over Lairig an Laoigh > Glen Feshie > back towards Aviemore

It would be worth stopping off in Bothy Bikes in Aviemore and picking up some of the local Trail Maps and getting some up to date local advice.

There is still significant snow on the tops and it's soft and plowtery. Not fun. Water levels are higher than average too. Could be a massive adventure or a miserable time.

Everything lower down in Rothiemurchus and Abernethy tends to drain well though and will be fine.

It's calm this morning with cloud sitting just above the summits.

I'd probably plan a lower and higher level route then make the decision in the morning, or possibly on the go. Take a decent waterproof and some spare warm clothes for the summit.

If you've got the train covered, there is also the option of doing a lower level route over to Braemar area on Saturday, and on Sunday heading over to Blair Atholl/Pitlochry way via Glen Tilt. (Assuming your train also stops at those points). Braemar to Blair Atholl via Glen Tilt is very low level, but with amazing scenery and brilliant single track. The main issue (normally) is how to make a loop out of riding it.

MWIS is always doom and gloom.

Bang on. I think it's designed to keep muppets off of the hills to be fair!.

Fairly standard to do the inner loop in a day so a three day ride of it will be manageable in most conditions. For me, a headwind on the Linn of Dee over to Feshie section would result in wrist slashing (miles of on/off the bike plus very dull scenery!)...

Cheers folks for the replies, just packing my bags now. Probably going to play around on the lower levels, avoiding the snow and high winds. First backpacking trip so all an adventure for me 🙂

Just in case it's still of use, Scotroutes' comment about water levels is very relevant. I've just returned home after muddling through the route from Linn of Dee to Bynack Logde(on the outer loop shortly after the inner and outer diverge). After wading a number of waters, with bridges down after last August, and the danger to my dogs, where one got most of the way across Geldie Burn before losing its footing (it's fine, before you ask, but was carried for the remainder of up to thigh deep crossings), I decided that another 100 miles of dampness (planned route) might have to wait another day (plus the trailer had a mechanical).

Well, you'll all be glad to hear we survived! It was bloody tough as most of you said it would be but glad we did it. Definitely in at the deep end quite literally for our intro to hike a bike/bikepacking.

Saturday morning, we went from Aviemore station through Rothiemurchus forest, past Loch Eilein and Morlich upto Cairngorm Base Station. Stopped for cake and coffee, decided not to go up to the top of Cairngorm as it was far too gnarly on top. Decided to do Lairig an Laoigh instead, so dropped back down to Glenmore Lodge towards Ryvoan Pass. Crossed the footbridge over the Nethy then took the path around Bynack Beg and More down to Fords of Avon Refuge. It was a hard slog in the rain and wind, barely rideable, pushed the bikes through lots of boggy water logged ground.

Fords of Avon Refuge was great though, no one else there, so just me and my mate, bedded down there for the night. Then Sunday, down to Linn of Dee then westwards along the Geldie Burn. Horrible and boggy again until near the waterfall. Had to ford the river a few times, worst was near An Cagain, a few km before Feshie bothie. Almost dropped the bike in waist deep water, was close.

Feshie bothy was great, there were a few hikers there with the log burner going when we arrived so dried some of our gear. Then Monday, we just headed back to Aviemore via Inshriach Forest and Rothiemurchus in time for some proper food at the Mountain Cafe and the bar at Cairngorm Hotel and a train back to London.

Glad we did it, definitely more extreme bikepacking, but all good!