There are great views across Loch Rannoch towards Ben Alder. It typically takes 20 to 30 minutes from here to the bothy so don't sweat it. The magnificent Ben Alder Estate is located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Loch Eighaech and snow-capped mountains south of Rannoch Forest Bear right again heading for the Coille Doir-ath. Hopefully this will serve to help people get out there and enjoy the great outdoors as seen from a bike seat. A rougher but dryer path is to the right. Abandon ones conveyance at a small layby 100m east of the Rannoch power station. The bottom section steepens somewhat with a few pitched sections but it all goes right to the Bothy. The next challenge was to cross the Allt Cam which was a shoes and socks off job. AbeBooks.com: Rannoch Moor and Ben Alder: Loch Rannoch (Explorer Maps) (9780319133620) by Ordnance Survey and a great selection of similar New, Used and … (this bit is my favourite section on the descent) Its one of those trails that you expect to peter out round every bend but just keeps going. It can be climbed either from either Corrour or Rannoch stations on the West Highland line. The old lodge is also a top bivvy spot, I'm here on a tour north. As relative newcomers to off-road bikepacking, our aim is fairly conservative although thrillingly off-grid. If you are doing this circuit as an overnighter then this is an obvious choice for a stopping point and there are plenty of good camping spots nearby if the bothy is busy. Track at the end of Lochan Earba under water. In terms of rideability you'd maybe be better doing this the other way round as you can get up this good trail and the rough descent is all rideable. This one is 78 miles and when I did it in a oner in 2016 took me 9 hours. There is a new cafe in the closed hotel which provided toasties, scone and coffee (sat outside in the sun!) Instead of the NTS standard 26" wheel swallowing cross drains, most of the ones on this trail are nice and narrow and can be ridden flat out with only the merest hint of un-weighting. Water is, however, in plentiful supply. The track runs out at the end of the loch and the marked path is another vague boggy none line. Note that its not a hugely popular walking route as most munro baggers go up the direct route to Ben Alder. This one has been around in various guide books for a while - it even pre-dates the path work so must have been hard going in those days. Cairn 15m E at NN 49633 71847 may be as high The last time I tried it was sunny but a late fall of snow would have made it a schlep. If you are determined to push through then be warned the next two hundred metres are tricky. The main path keeps climbing until it passes below a crag at its high point of just over 750m. 01540 670000. This defile sits around 100m higher than Loch Lagan - more glaciation. All the trails are on Open Street maps too. It was a bit of a push before we gained the footpath to Ben Alder at Cam Chriochan. Technical challenges come in the form of various burn crossings and assorted random rock features. Down we raced to Loch Rannoch then at Bridge of Ericht we cheated and took the hydro road up to Loch Ericht. 01796 481568 Around Ben Alder. Approaching Loch Ossian, with the huge bulk of Ben Alder in the distance: At the back of the Lodge take the path (NN413697) along the Uisge Labhair. Nice one Phil! If the above looks a bit drastic but you want to explore the area, then just ride up the various bits of double track and back again. Its a quick descent but not steep. From here take the track on the east side of Loch Ossian. This view was in fact one of my motivations for choosing Ben Alder on this summer’s day. If you look at an OS 1:50k map of the area you'll figure it all out easy enough. I bivvied here in 2018 doing this circuit as an overnighter. Riding station to station. Take either of two left turns to take you all the way up Strath Ossian to Corrour Shooting Lodge (this is all obvious on the map). You haven't climbed Carn Dearg (Corrour) yet. From Dalnaspidal I left the A9 behind and headed south by Loch Garrry in the late afternoon sun. I've never actually stayed here but its a belter. With Scotland’s 10th largest loch, Loch Ericht, five Munros and some of Scotland’s most pristine scenery, Ben Alder Estate’s luxury lodges are an ideal setting for truly memorable holidays. The sporting lodge, forming part of the surrounding Ben Alder Estate, has been refurbished to a very high standard throughout and has been running as a luxury holiday let for the last 6 years or more. Today it was pretty easy. Ossian Youth hostel - a very lonely place but accessible by train so quite popular. Looking north east along Loch Ericht, Ben Alder with its head in the clouds. The plan had been to ride over Bealach Leamhain to Loch Pattack, then out to Dalwhinnie, thence to Newtonmore by NCN 7. As it was we were too knackered to contemplate a big climb over a trail of unknown provenance so rode out to Ardvericke and followed the road to Newtonmore instead. If you are up for it its well worth it as you then pick up another nice trail to Ben Alder Cottage and get to ride the best trail in the area - see below..... Of course if you are into bike rafting then this would make this route much easier. We rode out of Corrour estate and along Lochan Earba, the Ben Alder hills to our right. This is one of the biggest areas of wilderness in the British Isles and only loses out to the Cairngorms due to it being bisected by the West Highland Rail line and a few remote lodges. Away from winter (which runs from October to May!) The other main approach to Ben Alder - though it lacks the drama of the Leachas ridges - is … In August it was very damp and I've done it since when its been nigh on bone dry. This was the warm up for all of the horrible storms late '15 early '16. It will also help me remember where I've been over the years! If you look at a large scale OS road map of Northern Scotland your eye maybe drawn to a large area of wilderness bounded by the A9, A86, A82 A85 and A827 with only a couple of C roads and the B road alongside Loch Rannoch intruding into the southern area. After the deer fence on the left stops is the boggiest bit. If you are doing it as a there and back again stop just before the burn when you can see the kissing gate into the dodgy section. Rannoch Moor and Ben Alder (OS Explorer Map Series): Loch Rannoch by Ordnance Surve A1 edition (2007) The sporting lodge, forming part of the surrounding Ben Alder Estate, has been refurbished to a very high standard throughout and has been running as a luxury holiday let for the last 6 years or more. I'm not about to bang on about safety or navigation or kit choice as per normal guides because as far as I'm concerned its up to you to sort this out. Before this you have to cross a small burn which this day was more iffy than the Allt Cam:-. From Rannoch station, he set off on the 10-mile trek to Ben Alder, at 4,000ft one of the highest mountains in the central Highlands. It was actually drier than when I passed through here in August and presented no problems for the ICT. It’s a remote bothy by the standards of the Central Highlands, concealed beneath the bulk of Ben Alder on the shores of Loch Ericht. Alighting at Rannoch, we will navigate a network of trails and paths through the estates of Corrour and Ben Alder to reach another train station at Dalwhinnie, on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park. I was heading through this area on the way back to where I'd left my car from Aviemore. And then there’s Ben Alder Cottage, the haunted one. It was being signed as a Diversion during the Pattack hydro scheme works but no-one was using it. The views are fab and there is plenty of scope for bivvies. Typical trail shot looking back towards Culra. "Ordnance Survey Explorer Map #385: Rannoch Moor and Ben Alder" covers that portion of the Scottish Highlands inbetween the scenic but civilized environs of Perth and the towns along the A9, and Glen Coe and the dramatic scenery of the West Highlands. This post is meant as a guide to this area by way of describing some of the rides I've done there in the last few years. Camusericht Lodge is situated in an elevated and private position off the main road, with southerly views over Loch Rannoch and beyond to Glen Lyon. Ben Alder Estate Dalwhinnie Inverness-shire PH19 1AE. the trail was a good one. We've done most of those tracks and circuits, just the Loch Ericht shoreline and the Allt Cam tracks to get the full set. Just before the pass summit I decided to turn left on a path shown on the map. Its not too bad and I did once do this on a Salsa Fargo so don't be put off as its only 1.5k. I'd trudged along there when you rescued me near Corrour.The only one you haven't mentioned is the one to the NW of Loch Pattack, might be the only option if the dodgy bridge goes and the river is high.What's the track like on the south shore of Loch Ericht? Ben Alder Circuit from Loch Rannoch I had to cash in on the unseasonably good weather so decided to head for my latest playground - the Ben Alder area. 2014 had been dry all the way through Autumn so this day it was fine. Be warned, you need all your food with you. BEN ALDER is a particularly beautiful and attractive mountain. I've not actually got many pics of this route, simply because I'm usually enjoying myself too much to take photos! The following morning the rain had gone and the sun was looking like making an appearance. Not all of this is a walk, especially if your on a fat bike, so its worth it if things are reasonably dry. This was my first time south to north of the Bealach dubh trail. In 2014 most people thought we had a mild and snow free winter. The trail then improves and you descend down to loch Beithe where the trail improves again, finally descending back down to culra on another fab built path. Around Loch Ericht. There is a wee patch of woodland alongside the second of the lochs which is a good stopping point. I've been planning to do a ride in the vast, largely uninhabited area around Ben Alder for some time. You ride down by Loch Ericht on a motorway standard track, up past the posh lodge and over a low moor to Loch Pattack. Ben Alder - Routes If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. The descent is a bit marginal but a hoot on a fatbike in 6" of freshies. You then pop out on a big track which is an easy pedal to a bridge over a small burn. Then comes the exciting bit. I had a wee diversion at the lodge to the loch shore via another fine piece of singletrack and then back tracked to follow the easy track to Dalwhinnie. It was in that it didn't involve waist deep river crossings but it was hard going. Lower section of the trail. Over the last few years I’ve come to love this area. Covering some 68000 acres stretching from Loch Rannoch to Dalwhinnie. This is worth a miss as its not really on the ground and the terrain is rough boulder strewn peat hags. Carry on to Loch Ericht and along the west shore. If you look on the map you'll note a path shown a couple of k down the glen. Some grassy sections with exposed tree roots and … On the climb into Strath Ossian, looking east. This is one of several that the estate did up in about 1999, entirely at their own expense. It will also help me remember where I've been over the years! At one point there is a highly dubious looking suspension bridge which takes you over the Allt Chaoil Rheide (more of this river later), (2020 Edit - there was a sign near Culra indicating this bridge was 'Out of Order'. Then your into the main descent, contouring down the southern flank of Ben Alder. In 2018 I did it as an evening / morning overnighter which was equally entertaining. In about three hours time you'll be at the notch at the top of this glen looking back down to your present location. Despite the rain the previous evening (and a generally wet summer) it was dry and stony. That said incorporating it into a circuit is tricky. When you get there look to the North East up the narrow glen. I had to cash in on the unseasonably good weather so decided to head for my latest playground - the Ben Alder area. If packrafting you could do the shoreline path, that one then the track up and over to Coire Bachdaidh Lodge and then paddle back across the loch.Bob. Follow this to the Loch end but bear right when the track starts to descend in earnest. I'd thought about just doing a lap of the Lochan Earba / Loch Lagan double track but on reaching the bottom of the Bealach Leamhain trail decided to give it a go. Anyway your now on a long, long climb to Corrour old lodge. It was not until November 2014 that I finally did this trail, as part of a circuit from Dalwhinnie. The beach looked tempting but I had a quicksand incident here previously so stayed clear..... From Ben Alder Cottage you start on 10 miles of divine single track. You are now in the middle of the area and able to contemplate all of the views around you. As she is a filly out of a Grade B shire, she can be registered as a … Yet another blog about someones biking adventures. Corrievarkie Lodge Bridge of Gaur Rannoch Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Rannoch Moor and Ben Alder (OS Explorer Map Series): Loch Rannoch A1 Edition by Ordnance Surve published by Ordnance Survey (2007) at Amazon.com. Yet another blog about someones biking adventures. Near the end of the marked path looking back the way you've come, This path is a bit rough at first but has been extensively upgraded after only a k. Follow this until it joins the Lochan Earba track and return to Dalwhinnie as per above (or back over the Bealach Leamhain if you want more fun!). If your planning on doing this circuit as a 2 dayer and want to stop here, best book in advance. The view northeast showed just how far I had travelled: The view southwest looked out across Rannoch to the distant hills beyond. Culra Bothy is technically closed after the MBA discovered asbestos in the roof space but I've stayed in it twice since then and the main room seems (to me) to be fine. but really are worth a look as there and back again rides. For that reason I'm not going to try to post up maps or detailed route finding notes. My only comment is that you pass the magic 500m mark a few times on the routes described here. This was one of those fat bike 'moments' as a normal bike would have been hopelessly bogged down through this stuff whereas the fatty rolled through the lot. With Scotland’s 10th largest loch, Loch Ericht, five Munros and some of Scotland’s most pristine scenery, Ben Alder Estate’s luxury lodges are an ideal setting for truly memorable holidays. This was originally an estate lodge but then became a hospital for TB sufferers on the basis that they needed isolation and lots of fresh air. Its all pretty easy excepting the crossing of the Alllt Chamhlain. Nav is simple - start at Dalwhinnie, head down Loch Ericht, Over to Loch Pattack, down the river and cut round west to Lochan Earba (i.e. The trick here is to ignore this as the old path it leads too is no longer used. From here the gradient eases although its rough going. I've done it on a fat bike and its fine so relax and enjoy the views ready for the next great trail. Also remember to smirk at all the suckers driving on the A9..... At Dalnaspidal lodge turn right down a double track to Loch Garry. Follow the above route but instead of descending to the river to cross, keep along the excellent path. A fine evening in 2018 looking west to the Glencoe hills. Ask anyone about Ben Alder and bike riding and they will exude much enthusiasm about the single track from Ben Alder Cottage to Culra Bothy. I’d long wanted to visit Ben Alder Cottage. Looking north east through the strath carrying Lochan Earba. The route starts out easy - down Loch Ericht over and across to Culra, over the Bealach Dubh / Cumhain to Ben Alder Cottage. Next up is the Bealach dubh trail, then roll out alongside Loch Ericht to Dalwhinnie. Keep straight on what is now a nice made single track. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Lochan Earba is to the right of the small hill just off centre. Follow road through the village and along the north shore of Loch Rannoch then 9 miles along the loch side to Bridge of Ericht. Beyond this the track deteriorates somewhat and about 1k of it is rather boggy. There are a couple of bits that have washed into the loch and have been re-aligned but a couple of bits haven't. Carie lies around 3.5 miles west of Kinloch Rannoch on the south side of Loch Rannoch. The track rolls out to the road and then you turn left and head east to the start of the track described in the previous section. I did this in October '15 starting at Rannoch and it was dryer than when I did it on the above mentioned tour in the August. The summit, looking down to Loch Ossian (This was taken on a trip I did in May 2016). As well as the above there are two through routes (well one and a half as they both start at the same point) either on the Highland Trail 550 route to Lagan or else as a means of getting into the Cairngorms via Dalwhinnie. Rannoch has excellent confirmation and is ¾ sister to Laggan and Ben Alder, who have both been very successful in the showring. For a bit more adventure there are two trails that are effectively dead ends (unless you are feeling really adventurous!) Technically its harder this way but all good stuff and there are no significant challenges. Glaciers, we salute you. The next section is on NCN 7 - a smooth cycleway alongside the A9T. Approaches are long from any direction; Corrour Station gives the nearest access from the west, whilst it is possible to approach from Loch Rannoch in the south. Its a bit run down being none MBA but makes for a good bivvy spot if you are doing this circuit in two days. OS maps show the end of the double track here but it continues to 494655. However doing it as a there and back again would be an excellent use of about 3 - 4 hours or so. This used to be rideable (I rode it on this day blind) but Storm Desmond in 2016 wrecked it. Another good there and back again ride is the trail alongside Loch Ericht beyond Ben Alder Lodge. The hot tip is to stick to the middle as although this looks the worst, there is a firm base under the gloop whereas either side its bottomless. So its now an easy surface which (yes) you. I'm not sure who did the work across the Ben Alder estate but clearly they got a different brief from what the NTS provide. As the slope you are crossing steepens things get more interesting but its all rideable with a modest amount of technical skill. Hear pronunciation Press to hear pronunciation Carn Dearg is a remote peak between Rannoch Moor and the Ben Alder range, above Loch Ossian. This is the Old Road to the Isles and part of an ancient right of way from central Scotland to Fort William and beyond. From there, Loch Ericht can be seen almost in its entirety. Marina, Loch Rannoch Hotel Boat Hire, white rafting and canoeing. If you do decide to push through, its around 4k of difficult going. Avoid the track heading up the hill heading for the Munros as you really want the one down by the river. Being a path nerd I know more than is good for me but its always interesting to compare construction styles across Scotland. 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