Loch Ness 360/GGW High Route – Push out of Invermoriston?

Just idly daydreaming about a 2 dayer in June, Loch Ness 360 on a gravelised (change the tyres 😎) 29er might be fun.

Coming out of Invermoriston heading south and sticking to the high route doesn’t look very well used on Strava Heat Map, presumably because it’s a hike-a-bike for the first portion heading uphill from Invermoriston? Still worth it over sticking to GGW Low Level though?

Ta

The high route is always the best route. Total ascent isn’t as different as you might think.

Check for diversions though. There’s some forestry and some hydro works underway which might force your hand.

I’d have normally said that the GGW is better heading North, but for LN360 you definitely want to be going anti-clockwise.

Depends on timing you are looking for, weight of bicycle, weather etc etc. For most mortals it *will* be a push up from GGW low level to the high level bit from Invermorriston, but if weather is good it is well worth it.

The low level trail is forestry road, through the forest, with only a couple of opportunities to get the views of Loch Ness that you’ve been cycling alongside for a day!

High level trail is more interesting (mostly singletrack), with great views, but does involve a push to get up to it. Also – not sure the status right now, but there is some felling work going on in the area. I heard from a runner doing the high level route (I was doing the low) that it was blocked off; I can’t vouch for accuracy, but will add that unless it’s totally blocked I would (and often have!) just go through anyway.

For bike: I would argue an MTB is *slightly* better for the 360 than gravel bike; you can do it on a gravel bike, but there are some sections (mostly South side of Loch Ness) that I personally would find a bit scarier on drop bars. Rereading your post – I think you are thinking MTB anyway.

One more tip: Coming out of Fort Augustus up to Loch Tarff, I would recommend taking the B road instead of the path; the path is soul-sucking gravel chips.

Thanks guys, good advice.

I had read about closures on Walkhighlands but didn’t realise they were on the high level bits, will double check.

Was tempted by a gravel bike 1-day effort and might do again in future (I think there’s an annual event to this effect?) but not looking for anything too epic this time around, 2 days on MTB seems about right!

Will just be carrying a change of clothes and enjoy a challenge but won’t be disappointed if I have to push, not out to prove anything.

One more tip: Coming out of Fort Augustus up to Loch Tarff, I would recommend taking the B road instead of the path; the path is soul-sucking gravel chips.

Noted! Weather permitting I’m hoping to detour up on to the Monadliath via the new reservoir/wind farm access tracks anyway so no need to make the start of the climb any more punishing that necessary…

I was going to suggest Loch Tarff as a bivvy spot but that’s beyond the turn off to the hydro scheme.

The only really rough bit of the route is the descent of the Fair Haired Lads Pass, which is “interesting” on skinny tyres, but it’s not that long.

I did the 360 in a day last year and ended up taking the road for most of the south side as much of the trail just didn’t look fun to ride on a gravel bike.

I’m planning on doing my own version of the badger divide later this year and I think I’ll sub in the GGW for some of the Trail of the 7 Lochs in Stranthairn. Haven’t looked for a GPX anywhere but theres a bit of info here: https://www.spanglefish.com/slnag/index.asp?pageid=17340 – if you’re interested in looking at that send me a DM and I’ll see if I can construct something for you.

It’s a fair old push and ends up about 700ft of extra climbing than the low route so depends on timescale and energy levels at the time. I did the 360 route last year and ended up doing the high route by mistake as had used the wrong gpx route. It is a nice section once you’re up there but I’ll take low route next time.

Echo the comment about taking the road for the climb out of Fort Augustus, there are a ton of gates on the off road climb which become very annoying.

I used hardtail and was definitely the tool for the job for me. I bought a gravel bike last summer when we moved to Inverness and for some reason I keep reaching for the mtb over it even for these types of rides with easy gravel and road sections. Think combination of lower gearing and more comfort on mtb is swinging it that way but will give the gravel bike another chance soon.

Thanks again, good tips.

Unfortunately my wife has made plans for my week off before I got the chance so Loch Ness 360 is out for another year 🙄