Staying up there later in the year with family (non local). I’ll definitely be hitting as much as Torridon as I can without a family holiday becoming a riding holiday for myself! Its been on my bucket list for years. I’m conscious it’ll mean time spent driving away from Gairloch too.

Just a couple of questions on the immediate Gairloch area and any riding potential from the door…First, for a 9 year old girl riding with me from the door on the MTB (and towhee) and second – is there anything tech I could access myself by either a very short drive or a couple of hours from the door riding? So, like a 0600 start and back for breakfast with the kids? Thanks in advance 🙏

* not a local *

There’s a track from the Old Inn, past Flowerdale to the waterfalls that might work with the Towhee.

Not much tech in the immediate area, though the Tollie Path would be a decent call.

There’s a rack past Loch Bad na Sgalaig to Loch na h-Oidhiche which isn’t techie either but does have a wee climb and wanders into some wild country.

Similarly, Poolewe into Fisherfield.

From memory from riding there are few years ago the track along the north side of the river Ewe from poolewe up to kernsary and up to Fionn Loch would be OK for your kid maybe with a tow up the hill.  Would mean a short drive to Poolewe.

The trail from Poolewe into Carnmore would be a great way to spend a morning. Properly stunning with some nice bits of singletrack on the way. Join it up with some of the dead end out and backs to Ardlair jetty and bad bog (on OS map top NW of Fionn Loch) to get some more scenic remoteness miles in.

Thanks All. That gives me something to go at 👍 really appreciate the responses.

Probably have a gravelly bike with us too I could pop out on. That may be the best option from the door perhaps?

Yeah – heading out past Big Sand to the lighthouse at Rubha Reidh is a lovely ride on a very quiet road and on a clear day you have views over the Minch to Lewis and Harris. Heading South, you have Redpoint too. There’s a track carries on from there along the coast to the bothy (ex-hostel) at Craig but I really wouldn’t recommend taking a bike along it.

Keep in mind the long daylight hours you’ll have….lots of potential for early or late sessions.

Continue the Fionn Loch ride to the far end, across the causeway to Carnmore then up the hill on the Ruadh Stac Mor path until it becomes scree ( about 650-700m height). Reverse the ride. Top notch, probably five hours though.

What’s the path like at redpoint to lower diabag?

2nd the road to the light house. It’s fantastic. Hillier than you’d think. Stayed there a few years ago. Also the ride to the gun emplacements is nice.

Poolewe to slaterdale and back is a nice out and back. Again kenmore to applecross. I’ve been dropped at kenmore and met the missus at the pub

Makes sure you do gingerbread lattes and cheesey scones at the mountain coffee co too!

Oh walk wise go up to the fairy loch at badachro too!

What’s the path like at redpoint to lower diabag?

A very rough walk to Craig and then a much better track towards Lower Diabaig. I’d not want to take a bike on the first part.

Cool I’ve seen the signs when I’ve been on the gravel bike but not explored

Local here. Gravel bike is a good call for an early, solo ride. Road to Poolewe, then good private road / track to Kernsary and Bad Bog. Mountain bike – drive up to the inappropriately named red stables (it’s now green….), just beyond Loch Bad an Sgalaig. The track heading south from here into the hills is pretty rough and rocky in places these days!

Not really any options with a 9 year old in tow from the door. Up towards Kernsary from Poolewe would work though, possibly even as far as Bad Bog, but there is a fairly steep hill. Heights of Kinlochewe from Kinlochewe could also be good.

For a full day, Corrie Hallie to Poolewe through Fisherfield (the “Trans Fisherfield”) takes some beating, but it involves some vehicle logistics. When are you up here? I’m always up for that ride.

Not a local, and not bike related,

Interesting WW11 crash site and memorial at the Fairy Lochs site above Gairloch, probably fine for family walk.

https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Fairylochs.shtml