Thinking about a trip to Torridon this Oct half term. We would be booking a holiday cottage for the week so looking at 5 days riding.Â
We have fond memories of an amazing ride there 10 or so years ago but despite many trips back to Scotland haven't ridden torridon since.Â
Is there 5 days good riding? MTB not gravel .. absolutely not afraid of riding up big hills and doing big loops but we wouldn't be going just to ride a big loop on double track (I know there is great riding there just wondered how many different options)
If so if anyone can share some routes that would be amazing. It would be good to work out the riding before we book anything.Â
The obvious routes are
- Kenmore to Applecross
- Beinn/ loch Damh
- Torridon Classic LoopÂ
- LollipopÂ
The second one isn't all that and 3 and 4 share a chunk so I'd be tempted to do the Torripop via the Ling Hut for a bit of variety.
WWI to see what others recommend
If I was staying on the Coulags side then for day 5 I'd head down to Kintail and do the Beinn Fhada loop ( caveat I've not done it so don't shoot me)
If it were me I would have a bad weather back up destination, it can be brutal that time of year.
I could happily do variations of the classic loop day after day and it's probably the best riding in the immediate vicinity. Other obvious suggestions above discounted, I'd suggest some others that might crop up...
Kinlochewe - Lochan Fada - Loch Maree (not done this for a while, mixed opinions from others).
Beinn Eighe east end (hard, is a big hill)
Loop of Liathach (wouldn't rate it too highly on a bike)
Fisherfield traverse (Poolewe/Dundonnel , further afield, logistics make an out and back most likely, potentially serious river crossing, but highly recommended)
Tollaidh path (again further away, a fair bit of road work unless an out and back, very conditions dependent, worst suggestion so far).
Poca Buidhe out and back and similar estate paths - (quite a few of these as remote out and back to lochs/hills etc, maybe more into xc territory than you're after?)
Thanks, that's a really helpful start to get planning. Well aware of the weather - that's why we haven't been back for so long as when ever we look to go the weather is dreadful so we go somewhere else!Â
I would agree with thegeneralist list and add in Poolewe as an out and back.Â
Please could I request a bit more info on these....
Kinlochewe - Lochan Fada - Loch Maree (not done this for a while, mixed opinions from others).
Beinn Eighe east end (hard, is a big hill)
Fisherfield traverse (Poolewe/Dundonnel , further afield, logistics make an out and back most likely, potentially serious river crossing, but highly recommended)
Tollaidh path (again further away, a fair bit of road work unless an out and back, very conditions dependent, worst suggestion so far).
Poca Buidhe out and back and similar estate paths - (quite a few of these as remote out and back to lochs/hills etc, maybe more into xc territory than you're after?)
Poolewe as an out and back
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Loop of Liathach (wouldn't rate it too highly on a bike)
I've heard it's awful but if you know better then I'm keen to hear....
I did Liathach years ago. There was a lot of hike a bike, mostly of the pushing variety rather than carrying I think but I didn't mind too much as the scenery is so spectacular. The descent was great fun, pretty techy back then on an On One 456.
I did Coire Mhic Nobuil (back of Liathach) a few years ago, tagged onto the end of the classic loop. The middle push/lift/carry/swear is frustrating but it ain’t as bad as it used to be. Even though I was a bit fatigued, I still enjoyed it as the scenery is amazing.Â
