climbing over pass to Luibelt
Headed up solo to Kinlochleven and joined my mate and lochaber local, Rob to pick a route… too many choices on a day like this. We picked a big loop into some wild country, at the furthest point we reckoned we would be about 12 miles from the nearest road – no place for any problems! We started straight into a huge climb to about 500m – first up the Mamore Lodge road then onto Loch Eilde Mor under the shadow of the Mamore hills. It was a tough, loose surface (getting cut up more by MX bikes prepping for the Scot 6 day trials), the views made up for it and countless big water splashes on the way down to Lubielt were welcome as it was now scorchio! After wet feet (don’t do this ride after any rain) we were on a rather faint trail from Meanach Bothy heading out toward Loch Trieg, and ignoring the detour for the Tour De Ben Nevis route. We passed a rather random family having a wee swim in some rock pools at the most remote part of out route (about 12 miles to the nearest road at least), they did seem to be having fun – not sure if I would have fancied the walk back though!
Looking back to Mamores
The next section toward Creaguaineach Lodge is fun, a wee bit of hike a bike over ditches, but plenty of techy riding a fast grassy singletrack (would not be like this in wet though). There is more than a sense of remoteness though and with this in mind, we elected to ride back where we came from – after a wee spot of sunbathing at Staoineag Bothy.
Techy trails toward Staoineag Bothy
The conditions were good, however the info on the next section back to Blackwater Reservior via Gleann Iolairean and the Ciaran path was hazy (turns out after speaking to some riders in the Pub, the route was mostly rideable due to dry weather and good fun!).
where's the cafe?
Any regrets, just a little for not completing the epic circular route – however we still did the big miles, crossed some rivers and got some brilliant views. By the time we headed back, the trails were being marked for the Scot Six day Trials and looked mental! we felt inspired to take the direct descent via some stunning singletrack to Kinlocheven – got pretty hardcore at bits, and brakes needed cooling a few times – on a big travel bike it would have been a riot, felt a bit fast on the hardtail but amazing fun – and spat us out conveniently at the pub 🙂 good times. A full day of riding, about 8 hours in Scotland at its best!
downhill bliss toward loch leven... to the pub
I reckon the full loop, which would also take in the alterntative Ciaran path descent would be amazing for a GMBC ride – but must be stressed, it’s a very dry weather ride only, we got a fair bit wet even yesterday.
should have brought suncream AND sealskins!
