Heading up to Ft Willy on Saturday for the SSDT, Thursdays route takes in some sections near Corrour Station & I've always liked the idea of a ride over from Fersit (near Tulloch Station).
I was going to take the gravel bike as there's some sections on Tuesday 1/2 way down Loch Shiel which would be easy on a GB, but don't know about Fersit to Corrour.
Anyone done it?
I've done a good few miles of hike-a-bog in that area.... but looking at the map to remind myself that was a different route to the one you are talking about.
Do you mean around via Strath Ossian? I'm not sure there is a path following the more direct route that the railway takes?
Someone will likely be along with some actual useful info in a moment. But failing that you might be able to glean something from google streetview (occasionally people upload those 360deg photos) or more likely on geograph.
I've been told that the shorter route, over the shoulder of Meall Dhearcaig, is notoriously boggy and wet. Where it drops to the main track in Strath Ossian, it also looks feint and rough. Might be best on a MTB (I've a plan to do it with a Fatbike).
I got drawn into having a look on geograph... and there are indeed a few pictures taken of/from the track that you mentioned scotroutes. Looks fairly indistinct...
I couldn't find an easy way to link, but if you go to the 'map dots' view you should be able to zoom in and find them
https://www.geograph.org.uk/browser/#!/display=map_dots
Thanks paul0 & Colin. Looking at Geograph blue dots it does look like that going from Fersit is a boggy hike a bike fest. Doesn’t look bike friendly whatsoever!
Looks more viable from Lagan dam but can I get onto the Forest track there or would I need to park at the Eastern end of the reservoir?
You can't cross the dam at Laggan. Either head along the track to there from Fersit or park along at Moy/Luiblea.
Cheers Col, parking near Fersit would be better now I've looked again.
It was possible a few years ago to cross the Laggan dam and get into the forests - although you needed to be reasonably agile to get over the fence/gate at the each end as I recall, and lifting a bike over could be a bit of a faff. Might have changed since then and become even harder.
Access into the forests to the east and north of Fersit definitely sounds like a better plan, and probably all gravel-able, unless storm damage has blocked a lot of the tracks.
I've walked Corrour to Tulloch, but we were mostly on the tops, and those were boggy enough to make me agree that the old road over the shoulder of Meall Dhearcaig would be wetter still.
Some parts of the area you're looking at here Corrour to Tulloch on foot over the Munros
Heading up to Ft Willy on Saturday for the SSDT, Thursdays route takes in some sections near Corrour Station & I’ve always liked the idea of a ride over from Fersit (near Tulloch Station).
I was going to take the gravel bike as there’s some sections on Tuesday 1/2 way down Loch Shiel which would be easy on a GB, but don’t know about Fersit to Corrour.
Anyone done it?
There's a fairly distinct track if you know where you're looking from Fersit to the access road tp Corrour from Moy. The last time I went over that track it was boggy in places. I had it as a GPX on my Garmin so knew where to look. It's also fairly obvious from the access road if you wish to retrace your steps on the way back. I've spectated the sections at Fersit then rode over to Corrour but the road in from Moy is prime as a gravel route. It's more akin to a gravel motorway capable of taking big heavy trucks.
As for the Loch Shiel sections. There's good access from either Glenfinnan or Polloch at the opposite end. The track is a massive logging road again perfect for a gravel bike. Depending how far you want to pedal you could park at Ariundle Oakwood car park & cycle up past the lead mines & down the hill to Polloch. It's a bit of a stiff climb coming back up from Polloch so if it's an easy day you're after you'd be better off approaching from the Glenfinnan end.
As for the Loch Shiel sections. There’s good access from either Glenfinnan or Polloch at the opposite end. The track is a massive logging road again perfect for a gravel bike. Depending how far you want to pedal you could park at Ariundle Oakwood car park & cycle up past the lead mines & down the hill to Polloch. It’s a bit of a stiff climb coming back up from Polloch so if it’s an easy day you’re after you’d be better off approaching from the Glenfinnan end.
I’ve done the Loch Shiel sections a couple of times on the FS which was massive overkill obs! I’ve also ridden down to Polloch & back on the HT but when the trial wasn’t on. I usually park at the lunch stop area just before Glenfinnan. We’re staying at Corpach so that’s not too far.
Interesting about the Fersit-Corrour track, I’ll give it a go & if it doesn’t work I’ll just watch at Fersit. It’s easier on a 300 GasGas I’m sure!
I’ve managed to get to some right out the way sections in the past on the MTB but quite often the ones in the middle of nowhere with no spectators are the tamest & sometimes a right slog, although the descent down Cam Bealach from Allt Coire an t Seilich a few years ago was worth the bog hike!