This is a fantastic 19 mile ride out into the wilds of Glen Avon and a must-do. You'll need OS Map 36 for this and the free
leaflet "Cycle Glenlivet Estate". The leaflet does not list this as a ride but shows the carpark location in Tomintoul - the
Tomintoul Country Walk near the information centre at the end of the town.
This is a superb summer ride & we've also biked
it in March on a warm day after a few days of snow. The ground in places was gluey as the frost came out, and in places we were
carrying the bikes through half a metre deep snowdrifts, so this tired and restricted us a bit.
Start from the carpark and the first
few miles are very undulating with a few steep hills. As with many of the glens, it starts very lush and fertile but climbs
imperceptibly into the wilds. The first few miles are on a lovely "tarmac" surface and easy going (except for the hills), passing
a few buildings en route. Lots of places to admire the views and watch the oyster catchers (and listen to them!).
Eventually
the road becomes a wide unsurfaced one and follows the river as the scenery becomes more rugged.
Next you will come to Inchrory
on the map (a collection of buildings with one large one that looks like an old barracks or something). Just beyond here is
the turning point where you bear right (west) over a bridge. The ride really starts now and over the bridge is a steep
pull upbank by a waterfall.
The trail now climbs for ages into the wilds before levelling out a bit above the river. Finally
you get the chance to swoop back down to the river, where you come to an iron bridge. By this point we'd had enough due to the
drag factor of gluey trails so this was our lunch stop and we returned the same way - much faster going back!
Variation {1} : Not
so much a variation as an extension. Apparently the mile-munchers continue from here on a much harder trail all the way to Faindouran
Lodge (further west), so this could become a real toughy! Note that many overnight in the bothy though!
Variation {2} : At
Inchrory/Linn of Avon, instead of turning right into Glen Avon, continue straight on into Glen Builg.
Follow the river and track for
quite a while on flatish terrain. Next comes a steep bit, a really stiff climb which then pays you back by dropping down on
the other side of the hill. And yes, we lost traction and had to push up the hill.
The scenery is spectacular, if not a bit bleak
(depending on the weather). When it's grey and cold, expect to find rusty bike frames and skeletons in crash helmets.
Just
our luck, yet again - we were once more thwarted by a river. This one was a bit too fast, a bit too wie and a bit too deep,
but only just. Anyway, we chickened out from getting wet feet or worse yet again and made this our turning point. A bit
sad really because we had nearly reached the loch.
Memo to self - by some inflatable wellies, pack some stiff M&S carrier bags
or just get wet!
Note: 2 walkers we spoke to on the return journey informed us that the loch is more accessible from the Braemar
end, so watch this space - we intend to reach this Loch!
