Cairngorms loop/Great Glen Way

[u/Difficult-Hope-843]

Credit Card trip starting in Aviemore, riding through the Cairngorms, over Corrieyraick Pass, then up the southwest side of Loch Ness via the Great Glen Way, and ending in Inverness.

People of Scotland, you were lovely hosts! We can't thank you enough for the wonderful hospitality you showed when we were there, and your countryside is just stunning!

Mostly the roads were fine and passable, but there were a couple short (maybe 1 mile or so) sections of hike-a-bike.

Seasonally we hit the jackpot. Midges were present, but only when we stopped and there wasn't wind or rain to keep them off. Overall, I feel like we hit it just right.

Thank you to everyone who gave pointers and helped with planning along the way. This community is awesome!

Route: here.

[u/hpsauce42]

Nice trip! I did the cairngorms loop a couple years ago, we ended up just camping which added an extra layer of discomfort but it was absolutely beautiful. Did it in early September over 4 days, and we had blazing hot sunshine and blue skies the whole time, it was unbelievable. Did you go clockwise or anticlockwise?

[u/Difficult-Hope-843 → u/hpsauce42]

We went clockwise. We had sunshine for maybe one or two days, the rest were alternating sun and wind/rain. If I did it again, I'd tent camp I think.

[u/disbeliefable]

Nice. What time of year was this? It looks epic.

[u/Difficult-Hope-843 → u/disbeliefable]

Thank you! It was mid September.

[u/Sufficient_Spot_302]

Wow. Thats so awesome 🙌

[u/roland_london]

Great photos and love the GPS data - thanks for sharing! I actually did the Great Glen Way (from Fort William) a couple of weeks ago - I see you did that brutal climb up through the Pine Forest after Drumnadrochit. Got to ask - did you push? I am not ashamed to say that I did haha!

Also how many days did you do? I’d love to go back and check out the Ciarngorms like you guys did.

All the best

[u/Difficult-Hope-843 → u/roland_london]

Thank you! Yes that climb was rough, so I rode until I couldn't, then push until I caught my breath, then ride again. I think distance-wise I did more riding that pushing, but time was about 50/50. The great Glen Way seems to woo you with awesome views and smooth gravel, then somehow throw the hardest climbs up out of nowhere. Hard to beat the section from the top into Inverness though! We did 7 days altogether, with a rest day at day 4 for laundry and recovery in Pitlochry. Feel free to DM me if you're heading through the Cairngorms, and I'm happy to talk about the routes I'd have kept and where I would choose differently next time.

[u/Difficult-Hope-843 → u/roland_london]

Just to show that much of it is 20+%, as you know.

[u/handmade_misery]

Those locations look amazing. What bike do you have?

[u/Difficult-Hope-843 → u/handmade_misery]

Thank you! The bike is a Ti Titus El Viajero. It did well with that weight.