Hi
Im thinking of a little trip to scotland over the christmas period, the fort william area is ideal as im planning on climbing ben nevis too, (not with the bike, or maybe 😀 ) just wondering if anyone can help me with some places to ride and any good trails within the area. I will probably be camping or staying in hostels whilst i'm there to be honest, so any help will be much appreciated
regards joe
TBH apart from the ovbious (Nevis Range) there isn't that much around there for 'a day out'. I'd be more tempted to do a tour of Benjamins Nevis from Glen Nevis YH, WHW, Mamore Road, Loch Eilde, mebbe bothy at Meanach or Lairig & come back through Leanachan Forest. The tracks are fairly well drained but you'd have to plodge over the river at Luibeilt.
Take warm clothes or a sack of logs cos there's nowt to burn in the bothies!
You could get back to Glen Nevis from Luibeilt past the 3 rope bridge but it'll be a bogfest. (done it!)
Or there's Laggan.
Plenty good riding up there. Head from FW to kinlochleven for a start and take in the ciaran path. From the car park at ben Nevis head onto the west highland way. At the top of the hill theres an ace track you can ride down. Ask in the bike shop on the main st. Nevis cycles I think. As above as well. Just keep yer fingers crossed you dont get too much snow!
Leanachan Forest, Christmas Eve 2009.
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuartie_c/4210574025/ ]R1013227[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/stuartie_c/ ]stuartie_c[/url], on Flickr
And that was ON the beaten track.
The shortest possible tour of Ben Nevis is 33 miles via Mamore Lodge but the first ten are very boggy indeed. Best done in freezing conditions or extreme dryness.
Fort William to Kinlochleven on the West Highland Way. Then over to Spean Bridge across Rannoch Moor, then back to Fort William via some of the Witches Trails. Basically it's the route of the Tour of Ben Nevis if you Google that.
i have been thinking of laggan to. I haven't rode in scotland yet unfortunately,
kennyp, a friend also recommended to me rannoch moor too, think i'm going to head to FW first then head towards rannoch, there's just too much choice out there!
[i]Fort William to Kinlochleven on the West Highland Way. Then over to Spean Bridge across Rannoch Moor, then back to Fort William via some of the Witches Trails. Basically it's the route of the Tour of Ben Nevis if you Google that.[/i]
Basically the same route as the one I mentioned then? Except I wouldn't be heading over Rannoch to get to Spean Bridge from Kinlochleven in December!
pretty much yeah and i keep forgetting the weather up there, so frustrating !! ill probably end up travelling to scotland and then just riding where i can!
Except I wouldn't be heading over Rannoch to get to Spean Bridge from Kinlochleven in December!
Depends very much on conditions on the day. If there's no snow on the ground, and you're well equipped, and have lights (essential) then it should be fine. Oh, and decent navigational skills too. Not a place to be taking a wrong turning.
Yeah i think i need to pruchase a descent light to be honest, my nav skills are pretty good never been lost, Touch wood!
Just wondering why you'd head over Rannoch to get to Spean Bridge in the 1st place Kenny, (unless your'e heading for Loch Ossian/Loch Treig 1st or you were thinking of Mamore Forest)
As far as I knew, the Tour De Ben went past Loch Eilde & over to Lairig Leachach.
Not a ride for the faint hearted in December either way!
Just wondering why you'd head over Rannoch to get to Spean Bridge in the 1st place Kenny, (unless your'e heading for Loch Ossian/Loch Treig 1st or you were thinking of Mamore Forest)
As far as I knew, the Tour De Ben went past Loch Eilde & over to Lairig Leachach.
You're right, that is the route. I was just using Rannoch as a general term for that whole area. Lazy geography on my part.
I can be a bit pedantic at times kenny, it can be an evil trait! 😉
I can be a bit pedantic at times kenny, it can be an evil trait!
No worries. Over zealous pedantry is one of my strong/weak points too. I pulled up someone in the office recently for saying World War 1 ended in 1918 rather than 1919.