This is quite a tough ride, all off-road with
climbs and burns to negotiate, but is well worth it for the scenery and the challenge. The route is single track in places.
There are burns to cross, some with bridges, some with stepping stones and some you just ride through (with care). At the end
of the glen is Loch Einich, which always seems to be a windy place to stop for lunch! The last time we did this ride it was
seriously red hot & humid, but by the loch it was much cooler & windy.
From Coylumbridge, the first 3.5 miles are mainly
uphill, either gradual or a bit steep in places. Cycle up past the Caravan Site to Lochan Deo (fantastic panorama views).
Early on in this section there is a fork to either Glen Einich or to Lharaig Ghru. Keep to the right hand trail.
After
Lochan Deo the trail now climbs for quite a long time on good off-road trails amongst magnificent scenery. You will come to
a junction with a burn and a little wooden bridge. Take the left-hand trail and the path climbs a bit more overlooking the river
to a "summit" on a bend. This is where a headwind is liable to hit you! It has turned us back before now, unable to peday downhill
in first gear due to the strength of the wind!
There is a bit of a ride downbank now until you come down to river level and meet the
other path again at another junction - a good place for a coffee stop.
The terrain is fantastic for mountain bikes. As
mentioned previously some of the burns have bridges over them, some are stepping stones only and you can end up looking like Gollum
playing Twister as you cross them!
The glen has a real broody feel and a good sense of remoteness, although you will meet walkers
and other bikers en route.
Basically the target is the loch at the end but don't be surprised to be beaten back by fast rushing, quite
deep streams, unless you don't mind wet feet. At 5.5 miles you come to the widest of the crossings and sometimes this is so
deep you cn't even see the stepping stones.
If you don't feel like getting your feet wet you can always return at this point and perhaps
loop around Loch an Eilein to make your mileage up for the day (see other route pages).
The scenery is unlike other glens and
it is renowned as a dangerous high level glen.
Return, naturally, is via the same way although you can vary it.
Loch An Eilien
& Inverdruie starters may wish to return via Coylumbridge and the Old Logging Way.
Coylumbridge starters may wish to turn left
by Lochan Deo and return via Loch An Eilein, the Lily Loch, Inverdruie and the Old Logging Way.
