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We are staying near Edzell for a week soon. Can anyone recommend any must do riding in the area? No hike a bike though as I am riding with Mrs.P.
What sort of riding are you interested in, easy gravel, big mountains, wooded singletrack, steep and rocky?
Dont mind any of that but would probably avoid steep and rocky as the wife prefers her riding to be a little more mellow. FYI we will be riding 150mm travel full suss bikes.
Drumtochy Forest and if you don't mind a short drive over Cairn o Mount - Glen Dye, Glen Tanar, Aboyne and Scolty hill near Banchory.
All are "relatively" close to Edzell but not perhaps in the immediate vicinity.
A very mellow ride would be up the landrover track up the SE side of Glen Esk from Gannochy past Dalbog and just keep going until the bridge at Dalbrack, not very interesting technically but has excellent views of the Glen and you're unlikely to see anyone else, you will get dive-bombed by all the lapwings nesting at the moment.
https://www.strava.com/activities/4985321500
I've not done it but is is possible to cut south over the hills into Glen Lethnot to make the ride into a longer harder loop with a lot more elevation gain starting and finishing in Edzell.
Heading further up Glen Esk, Glen Lee and the falls of Unich are worth a visit. Parking at Invermark can be full by 10am on a nice day. Usually spaces free again by 4-5 in the afternoon.
Blue Door walk to the rocks of solitude is a must and if you are staying in Edzell its only another 2km to walk up the river to the Blue Door from the shakin' bridge in the village.
Glen Esk. A few loops starting from Tarfside that are quite good. Depending on Mrs's fitness she may have to walk a few bits but nothing overly techy or daunting. Nice out and back further up the glen starting at the Loch Lee car park, heads up past the loch and finally dead ends with views up to Lochnagar. Lots of stuff in any of the Angus glens that would suit gentler riding. Nice singletrack up beside the river from Edzell. Starts in town centre and crosses road at the bridge and up through the "Blue door".
Other ideas for Angus route can be downloaded here -
https://www.dmbins.com/developing/news/angus-route-cards-evaluation
If you can get an evening to yourself, definitely head to Drumtochty. Less than 30 minute drive but packed with trails. Download trailforks before you go though.
Mount Keen also worth doing but involves a bit of pushing. No carrying though unless you are determined to get the bike to the trig point. Been there and done that, so these days just leave the bike at the start of the scramble as you can't ride down from the very top anyway. Can be fitted into an evening at this time of year.
Drumtochty.
Most stuff on the south side of Strathfinella hill is fairly mellow. The stuff on the north side and on the other side of the glen is a lot steeper and spicier.