So inspired by the Cairngorms thread the other day I thought I’d show some pics of our latest adventure.

The plan was to do a three day loop of Loch Maree not only around but across too.

The long range forecast was rubbish but as we got closer to Monday it seemed that we might get a weather window. well oh my we had wall to wall sunshine. bloomin lovely.
[/url] PA150037 by Backcountrybiking, on Flickr[/img]
The short cycle out of Poolewe was well, short this was the start of the Tollie path.
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The tollie path is a great warm up.
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About 95% cleanable on a loaded bike it was a great start to the trip.
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Up on reaching the top we we’re greeted with this amazing view.
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Not many pics from the descent, but it was rocky techy amazingness. then we reached the forest and the shore of Loch Maree.
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We set about transforming.
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and set out across the Loch.
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Stopping at Isle Maree, spooky viking graves and this money tree.
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Reaching the far shore just before dark and making camp.
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Camp.
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Next day we carried on along the ‘old post road’ on the north shore of the Loch.
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Leaving Maree we moved around the north of Slioch and made our way upto Lochan Fada.
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…I dont need to say…..
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Next morning was a tad chilly ( frozen boots are hard to get on)
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We set of across Locan Fada to a trail that can only be acessed by the boats.
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A hellish Hike a bike followed.
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But good things come to those that push up bloody big mountains.
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One more climb and we would have only down to go.
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Almost at the top.
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We just had to follow this sweet single track back into Poolewe and that was us done, Only about 100km but an amazing three days.
Andy

Beautiful pics, and looks a great weekend! Well done fella!

Fantastic!

Epic!

Aaaaargh!!! Stop with the funny photo effects!

It’s beautiful country and an awesome adventure. It doesn’t need tarting up.

You.
Bastid.
😉

Awesumly nice.

Aaaaargh!!! Stop with the funny photo effects!

It’s beautiful country and an awesome adventure. It doesn’t need tarting up.

Sorry buddy new camera 😳

😆

Inspirational.

And fooking cold looking!

Happy days

Looking forward to being up that way next May. Nice pics

Brilliant! Great post and I liked the photos too.

Funny how you can look back on the hike-a-bike almost fondly, I did my fair share, up and down, when bike packing and decided I was just better off on foot, but you look like the hike-a-bike was actually rewarded with a rideable descent!

Fantastic. Wel jel.

Funny how you can look back on the hike-a-bike almost fondly, I did my fair share, up and down, when bike packing and decided I was just better off on foot, but you look like the hike-a-bike was actually rewarded with a rideable descent!

Exactly. that hike a bike really hurts at the time, camping gear and a boat really adds to the pain, but as soon as we reached the top and stood looking at the snow covered north face of Slioch it was all forgotten.

wanders off to google Loch Maree,

Great pics although hate the tilt shift ones, it makes everyone look like they’re model railway figures!

Looks like a good trip, nice to see the snow on the hills. But say no to fake tilt shift!

Excellent. Thanks for sharing!

Outstanding.

The tollie path is a great warm up.

*snigger*

Smashing pics ,have brightened up my day
Cheers
Al

Brilliant! 🙂

Great pics although hate the tilt shift ones, it makes everyone look like they’re model railway figures!

But that’s the point.
Sorry new camera.

Wicked!

I like the tweaked pics. I’d rather a few of them were like that than not at all. Looks amazing,though. See the frosty pic with the tarp.. can you describe or show me what that set-up is? Quite fancy taking something like that to bivi under next time I head somewhere over that direction.

Jealous of the boat side of it (getting you to the Island)

Looks fantastic!

Great stuff… Really must get some decent riding in next year…

Great report, kudos for taking it up at this time of year.

Did a similar-ish loop nearby a couple of years back – interested to know if you took the west path (Strathan Buidhe) above Letterewe, & how it was?

Fantastic. What canoe/inflatables are you using? Photos are great.

That does look like a great trip.

Superb, thanks. Scotland is so beautiful.

One of those threads that makes STW what it is.

Excellent post Andy.

I like the photos & effects myself – what camera is that?
Wouldn’t mind doing some winter bikepacking this year, but I will need a warmer sleeping bag first!

Fantastic. What canoe/inflatables are you using? Photos are great.

Alpacka Packrafts.Boat folk

motorman – Member
Excellent post Andy.

I like the photos & effects myself – what camera is that?
Olympus TG1 very good lots of features easy to use and indestructible.
waterproof to 40m drop proof from 2m super good lens and you can add a tele lens or fish eye.

robgarrioch – Member
Great report, kudos for taking it up at this time of year.

Did a similar-ish loop nearby a couple of years back – interested to know if you took the west path (Strathan Buidhe) above Letterewe, & how it was?
Strathan Buidhe is 100% ridable if you’ve got the legs.
ANdy

martinxyz – Member
I like the tweaked pics. I’d rather a few of them were like that than not at all. Looks amazing,though. See the frosty pic with the tarp.. can you describe or show me what that set-up is? Quite fancy taking something like that to bivi under next time I head somewhere over that direction.

Jealous of the boat side of it (getting you to the Island)
Tarp set up was simple rectangle with 2 halves of the paddles as poles,It was my buddies not mine so don’t know the make or owt.
my set up is a golite Shangri la 3, paddle as the pole and no inner this time of year, very versatile set up as it’s a full on tent or a very easy to use tarp type thing 700gm outer only.

Boating side of stuff is really cool. come and have a shot one day.
Andy

@robgarrioch this pic is strathan buidhe.
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Oh and One of my pals is using a NRS packraft. (wouldn’t touch’em cough up the extra and get alpacka)
Andy

Cheers BCB – doubt I’ll be going over it from the south for a while, but might consider a loop from Poolewe – Fionn Loch – Strathan Buidhe – Bealach Mheinnidh + back again sometime… Be a bit of hike-a but might make a nice day-trip.

Here’s Slioch last Friday, first snow of the winter…

Looks gobsmackingly good.