Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath part 1 – The Rough Bounds – Page 2 – Bike Forum

13thfloormonk · 2010-06-13T22:36:31Z

So this was it, this was the trip that all my other trips had merely been practice for. Meticulously planned, thoroughly researched, and endlessly talked about (by me, to anyone who would listen). Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath via as many of the northwest's best trails, most exciting hills and bothies as possible. Or so I'd hoped. [u]Day 1 - Glenfinnan to Kinbreak.[/u] So off I set. I had originally hoped to be leaving in time to catch the Jacobite steam train passing over the viaduct. I figured a good self-timed shot of me grimacing up some gnarly climb with a steam train and the viaduct in the background would [i]guarantee[/i] a magazine cover, if not on Singletrack then at least National Geographic. [imgThe end result wasn't quite what I'd hoped for. The road, then trail, stayed good all the way to the top of the bealach. [img...at which point it disappeared, leaving me a very soggy and rocky trudge down the other side. This was to become a recurring theme for the next two weeks, so I won't labour it. I had been warned by several people (on here and elsewhere) that a lot of my routes were a bit shady, but I wanted to find out myself. Oh how I found out. [img^ Streap, Strathan, part of the quad track out of Strathan, and two TGO challengers. [img^ Kinbreak bothy, where I met Cameron McNeish, and more excitingly the guy who produced "World's rarest funk 45s" for Jazzman records. True celebrity. [u]Day 2 - Kinbreak to Suardalan bothy.[/u] Undeterred by falling 30km short the day before, and the shocking wetness of the trails, I set out the next morning, immediately faced with a big river to ford and a stiff push to the track on the other side of the glen. [img[img^ Thankfully I'd just descended that, [s]scattering TGO challengers like skittles[/s] chatting with my drinking buddies from the night before as I passed them. [imgI climbed out of Glen kingie after the Lochan ruin and headed north to the eastern tip of Loch Quoich, where I sat down for my lunch of oatcakes, cheese and salami. Luxury (and about a billion calories. Sorted). [imgAfter Loch Quoich it was straight along the road to Kinlochhourne, passing/being passed by several TGO challengers, lots of motorbikes, a classic VW camper, and a parade of very sexy sports cars (too slow with the camera, d'oh!). The final descent into Kinlochhourne has to be seen to be believed. [imgKinlochhourne. [imgLooking for the tearoom... [imgThe climb out of Kinlochhourne, through the Eucalyptus trees (menthol fresh, to help counteract the effects of all smoke from the bothy fires!) [imgThe view from the climb. [img...and the view back down it. [imgKinlochhourne singletrack. [imgGleann Dubh Lochain Following the pylons out of Gleann Dubh Lochain and into Bealach Aoidhdailean was tough. The track was very good for most of the way, but steep, and a bit loose. I was knackered. [imgThe view back from Bealach Aoidhdailean. [imgA very small, and very bleak looking, howff set high up on the slopes. I was tired, but not that tired. Suardalan awaited, but not after pushing down another descent... [imgJust above the bothy; the trails from this point on were great, and mega-hikes can be quickly forgotten with a good descent to the front door of a bothy! [imgSuardalan, with extra mice 8) This had just been the prologue of the trip, I was now heading into unfamiliar territory, and bigger hills. That said, nothing was likely to be as wet (I'd hoped) as the famous rough bounds of Knoydart, but I was already beginning to reconsider some of the more ambitious diversions I'd planned for later in the trip... Part 2 to follow, featuring: Allt Beithe hostel, the Falls of Glomach, hysterical women, motorbike impressions and [s]one hundred sizzling gypsies[/s] Robgarrioch :D

heihei

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DavidM, was it you discussing the old pony track that heads from Glen Barrisdale to Loch Quoich? I had meant to scout it out for you but decided not to stop in Kinlochhourne after all.

I walked this many years ago with my old man to make a loop from Kinloch Hourn via Barrisdale. The track from memory would be fine on a bike. but swings S at Loch Quoich. To link up with the road required a pathless yomp for a good few km - fine on foot but would be a chuff with a bike.

Posted : 15/06/2010 9:03 am

sangobegger

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Bit late in the day,but nope - I followed the same route as yourself.I managed ok from the top of the Bealach to the flat,but after that it was a mare.Wait until you get up to the northern part of your tour though.There is a new road in round the back of Arkle which looks cracking,your only issue will be getting across the river at the western end of Loch Dionard if there is a lot of water in the river.Stay on its southern shore(not a fun way it has to be said)and you'll have no bother after that.)

Posted : 15/06/2010 11:21 pm

13thfloormonk

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Topic starter

I finished the tour a couple of weeks ago 😀

I stayed on the southern shore after Bealach Horn, but more of that later...

Posted : 16/06/2010 8:26 am

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[Closed] Glenfinnan to Cape Wrath part 1 - The Rough Bounds