[Closed] Glen Kinglass to Kingshouse

Its rideable almost all the way. There are one or two scree/river crossings along the shore of Loch Etive. Its much more of a hike a bike on the north shore nearer the end of the loch.

Superb, that's just what I wanted to hear!! Thanks

Look out for bad bogs after you've reached the end of the loch and you're heading up the glen to the bridge. My advice is to ford the river asap to reach the road. I reckon you'll save an hour (and a LOT of bog) if you do this. I did and reached the car clean, damp, and in daylight, the others who went for the bridge reached the car cold, filthy, soaked and in the dark.

The loch-side trail depends very much on recent tide activity and what has been washed up. We went along after high stormy tides had washed up lots of haybale debris that choked the trail quite a bit.

Did it a few years back except from Glencoe Ski Centre, down Glen Etive & south side of the loch. Very hikey bikey to Ardmaddy but from there along Glenkinglass past the lodge & on to Victoria Bridge was all rideable with some 'trially' bits in it. Then you hit the WHW & head back to Glencoe past Ba Cottage. Grand day out Grommit!

Rose tinted spectacles McMoonter?

I've done it a few times (less than Mc) the loch side is always a walk though I am told some have ridden much of it.

If I can get more biking than walking I'll be happy, but I still think I'll give it a shot albeit with an earlier start

[i]though I am told some have ridden much of it.[/i]

Like who? It's like this in places....

[img] [/img]

(Well ok, not quite that bad but still dodgy)

WTF? that pic is nothing like it. Idiot.

So there are rocks then? Oh well, big bike time...

I'll take photos to settle this emerging argument. 🙂

[i]WTF? that pic is nothing like it. Idiot.[/i]
I know I know! But i do like that photo of Micheal Brown at Meall Nam Each in this years Scottish. Anyway...here's us somewhere near Ardmaddy in May 2002..

[img] [/img]

Show us a photo Al.

Don't think I have any of loch etive.

Nice pic, hopefully I'll get some weather as good as that!

2nd week in May 2002, & there's me in a ****ing fleecy gilet boiling to death! In May FFS! (I did take it off after the foty)
IIRC It's about a 43-45 miler.

[i]Don't think I have any of loch etive.[/i]

Alaways take a camera. Idiot!

Not sure I've done it since digital cameras existed. Noob!

I've got a thing called a 'SCANNER' Durrrr!!

Eat my Humvees. HA!

Is it now cracked after that effort? Bleeuuuch!

Rose tinted spectacles McMoonter?

I've done it a few times (less than Mc) the loch side is always a walk though I am told some have ridden much of it.

I've ridden most of it actually with italspark behind me! The bit with the trials bike is/are a couple of those scree/river crossings I mentioned. About a hundred yards of hike a bike each.

The last time cynical and I rode it was after a huge snowfall melt and high tide. The trail became a 5 or 6k 'river crossing'.

Fording the River Etive, I've done that too, but its dependant on the tide and the river level. It can get boggy up to the Bothy, but there is a visible trail, beyond the bothy there is a much better path. I'd be inclined to avoid fording the river.

Its a great loop, and a long day out. The first time I rode it we left well after midday from Victoria Bridge after an epic the previous day. It was getting dark by the time we reached the KIngshouse. I ended up riding solo across Rannoch Moor with no lights to get the car to bring back the others.

[i]Is it now cracked after that effort? Bleeuuuch![/i]

What, the scanner? Naa, It's new. Anyhow, how about meeting up for a Highlands ride in Augoost? Lookin to do 2 days 'epic-ish' riding with matey in the photo & 2 other 'victims' from work in the week of 22nd August? Did a loop of Ben Nevis last year, could do with some reccommendations. Lets be friends!!

If it doesn't rain the Etive will be low. Ford it above the tidal limit and you'll be fine. Getting out on the far bank was the hardest bit. I chucked the bike up then hoped I could get out.

And the first time I rode it (mid '90s) I was solo and didn't recall any issues, but later, in a larger group, Loch Etive side was 'whinge-o-rama'.

IIRC a lot of the Kinglass trail has been 'tamed' for Shooting/Fishing 4X4s which has reduced the appeal of the loop to me.

Maybe. Can you keep up?

[i]Maybe. Can you keep up?[/i]

Why, is it gonna be a race? I doubt it then as I'm about 3 stone overweight & 54 yrs old but hey, I'll give it a go!

for the record, i was not behind mcmoonter, done the other side though with panniers and full camping kit........now theres a challange ?

Italspark, It was the one and only time in my puff when I was ahead of you. I remember me and the Rickster just keeping ahead of you. The only thing than kept me going was hearing you behind me. I was totally ****ed by the time I reached the bothy and had the worst bonk in human history.

Time to resurrect this thread. After a year of messing about, road riding and not doing enough MTB, I finally rode this anti clockwise from Kingshouse today with three others.. The Loch Etive section, which I thought was going to be a challenge, was brilliant! Some walking bits, but generally a rocky but flat trail that wasn't too bad at all. Return was via Glen Kinglass and the WHW, I think doing it that way was preferable as it avoided a big road climb out of Glen Etive and gave a lovely fast descent to the ski centre.

We had a 50:50 mix of hardtails to FS, and I personally was really glad to have my Enduro as it kept comfort up.

Hey just to update on this thread. I rode from bridge of orchy down through the valley to glen kinglass and "attempted to ride round loch ettive" before reaching the road section that would take you back to glencoe. This section should be called "hike a bike" as rode the first third of it no problem then it turned into a bogfest and areas that were very very overgrown with ferns. The two rocky crossings are impossible as have to climb down and accend out the other side. The last third section before the bothy was very good as techy techy and flowed well. A word of warning to any others attempting it check your clothing regulary as my fellow rider got a cleg bite through his glove and a tick:((
Overall I think I'd advise other riders to avoid this section at great length.

Cheers