A longer version of the ride is our Coylumbridge to Glenmore route, but this is a great "quickie" of about
12 miles or so.
Starting from Inverdruie take the road south to Loch An Eilein or better still follow the signs for mountain
bikers, just a few yards below the car park. This takes you through a lovely bit of off-road, past Lochan Mor (Lily
Loch) on your left, to the lane leading to the Loch An Eilein Visitors Centre. Turn left when you reach this lane.
Follow the
trail from the Visitors Centre -clockwise until you come to the turning for Glen Einich (signposted). The trail now heads off
across the moor towards Glen Einich and Loch Morlich. The scenery is awesome out here any time of the year.
When you get
to the Glen Einich entrance by a little lochan - Lochan Deo (our drinks bottles froze at -4C here once!), turn left and then sharp
right, keeping the little lochan on your right. You eventually come to a metal bridge where you carry the bikes over and continue
on the trail again.
The biking is superb throughout with some climbs and downhill swoops, passing the entrance to the Lairig Ghru until
you eventually come to Loch Morlich. There are plenty of places here to have a picnic. Return the same way as you came, saving
other options for our Coylumbridge to Glenmore route.
Variation {1}: The ride can be extended. After dropping down from
the Lairaig Ghru extrance & before reaching Loch Morlich a trail turns right and upbank to Rothiemurchus Lodge. Well worth
it for the view from higher up.
Variation {2}: Return via the same route until crossing the metal bridge. After a short
while a sign for Coylumbridge will take you off to the right and through the woods to the Chalet Park at Coylumbridge. Ignore
this but take the second one signposted Coylumbridge back to the chalet park. This is by the entrance to Glen Einich and the
little lochan - Lochan Deo . This is a great "schuss" to finish the ride, with a few gates to pass through and some of
the finest sights in the area (see photo bottom right). Finish off by biking down the Old Logging Way to the car park at Inverdruie.
