I am hoping the more experienced members could give me some good advice. Planning a 3 day run from Loch Ness to Edinburgh in June with some wild camping on route. The total distance will be 150 miles so want to average 50 miles each day on the MTB.
It would be very helpful if anyone who has done this trip could post details of how they broke the route down and also any good areas to wild camp they found.
This will be a first for me so really want to do as much research as possible in order that the trip goes smoothly. Any advice would be great to read in the hope that I avoid any obvious 'school boy' errors.
Thanks for your time and I look forward to reading any advice you can offer.
Kindest regards
Chain Reaction.
I can get you from Loch Ness to Glasgow almost completely off road, not sure its possible to get to Edinburgh in 150 miles though.
Try Fort Augustus to the north tip of Loch Laggan via the Corrieyairack Pass. From there, cross the A86 and follow estate tracks to Loch Pattack. There is a more adventurous and more technical option at the south end of Lochan nah-Earba that takes you over a pass to the Allt Loch a Bhealaich Leamhain and down to Loch Pattack.
From Loch Pattack follow the Bealach Dubh track up and over to Ben Alder Cottage. Follow estate tracks via many annoying high gates to the B846. Cross the bridge over the River Gaur and take forest tracks up and into the Rannoch forest, crossing a high pass and descending to Glen Lyon.
Take the tarmac road up and over to Lochan na Lairig, descend into Killin. Follow sustrans path (really cool by night as you're overlooking the road through Glen Ogle) to Lochearnhead, cross road and follow farm tracks up and through Glen Ample, descend to A84 beside Loch Lubnaig. Follow road to south end of Loch Lubnaig, cross river and follow riverside path (sustrans) to Callander. If you have the energy, keep an eye out for cool rooty singletrack on left, between sustrans and river.
In Callander, take Sustrans round south of Loch Venachar and climb over to Aberfoyle. Follow forest roads from Aberfoyle to Gartmore, then follow minor road up then down to Drymen. Join west highland way at Drymen and roll triumphant into Glasgow via Milngavie, take train to Edinburgh! (if you had time, you could ride Union Canal into Edinburgh?). This is prob 240 miles all in though, possible as a three dayer as its mostly landrover tracks.
Would be interested to hear of a good off road link to Stirling/Edinburgh, I know it can be done but its convoluted and messy.
Which end of Loch Ness?
Lairig Ghallabhaich is the pass between Bridge of Gaur and Glen Lyon.
Scotroutes, don't be awkward, if he starts at the north end he can just follow the Great Glen Way to Ft Augustus (three minutes too late for a ninja edit of my first post) 8)
Think you might be right about the distance 13thfloormonk I had calculated the shortest distance from Inverness to Edinburgh which is listed as 155 miles but realistically this would be hard to do on a MTB. I would get the train into Inverness and take it from there, as I say this is all totally new to me. Thanks alot 13thfloormonk for such a comprehensive answer its most appreciated.
Kindest regards
Finishing at Rannoch would be a good way to end, there's a very remote train station there, and the return journey on the train is spectacular (much more so than the Inverness line I feel).
If that's too short a ride, then following the old 'Road to the Isles' from Rannoch to Corrour would be a good extension, you could even go all the way to Spean Bridge or even Fort William that way, loads of options, all near train stations as well.
Great suggestions guys thanks.
13thfloormonk - Member
I can get you from Loch Ness to Glasgow almost completely off road, not sure its possible to get to Edinburgh in 150 miles though.
Thanks from me too. 🙂