The starting point for this is the Visitors Centre car park next to the Spar in Nethy Bridge.
For this lovely road ride
of mixed views you'll need OS Map 36 .
The ride is approx 18-20 miles and a wonderful introduction to the area.
Starting
from the car park come back to the main road and turn left by the Spar. Proceed until you are leaving the village where you
will see a left turn on a right hand bend. Take this and continue into the forest. It should be noted that running alongside
the road is a single track for bikers and walkers but it is a very quiet road anyway so no worries with traffic.
There are a
couple of hills but nothing major.
The trees in the Abernethy Forest are wonderful and old and there is a lovely smell of pine
after a rain shower.
Ignore the left turn on this road and take the right hand turn to Loch Garten. Again, upon reaching
the car park and Osprey Centre you'll note thoughtfully constructed off-road paths running parallel with the road.
You can also
cut back to Nethy via a path close to the Osprey Centre (off-road) if you wish, which picks up the Speyside Way.
Carry on past
the loch until you rejoin the main road and then turn left.
Follow the road now through Street of Kincardine until you reach
Loch Pityoulish on your left. There is a gate where you can take your bikes through and have coffee and a picnic on the banks
(although it's always a couple of degrees cooler by the loch for some reason).
Retrace your route until you pass Auchgourish
Gardens and Glencairn. You'll note a narrow road climbing off to your right. Take this road to bike over the delightful
Tulloch Moor with splendid open views all around.
Upon reaching the road again, turn left and continue past the turning for Loch Garten
(now on your left) and back to Nethy Bridge. This is a lovely fast section of downbank (eventually) to take you back to the
village.
Variation {1} : On the north side of Loch Garten is another carpark in the woods. This is a lovely place
to bike down to the loch and spend a while taking in the views. It is possible, although it is more for walkers, to continue
on this trail to Loch Mallachie.
