The starting point for this and many of the Inverdruie/Rothiemurchus based rides can vary to suit. Park at Loch An Eilein Visitors
Centre (car park fee, toilets), or better still, extend the ride by a couple of miles or so each way by parking at the free car park
at Inverdruie. Across the road is the Rothiemurchus shop and cafe and the car park is right by Bothy Bikes for those
hiring mountain bikes. Maps are available for paths & trails on the estate. Distance is approx 10 miles depending
on starting point, variations etc.
Use OS Map 36 (& possibly 35) plus Trailmaps - Strathspey Map 2
This is
a lovely ride, as many miles as you want to go. It gives riders the chance to experience a bit of single-track biking without
much in the way of tough stuff and at the same time have all the wonderful scenery to look at.
Starting from Inverdruie you can 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.
The loch is about 3.5 miles around and is the setting for many
bits of Monarch of the Glen. It is rated as the 3rd most romantic place in Scotland and is sometimes busy, but never heaving
- a popular place, so be courteous to others.
Follow the trail from the Visitors Centre anti-clockwise until you come to Loch
Gamhna. Just after this on your right is a small turning taking you southwards. Take this and shortly after there is a
fork/junction. The right goes to Loch Gamhna so you need to take the left fork in the trail. This is single track riding,
lovely when the heather is out. Okay it's a bit bumpy, but a lovely introduction to this type of biking. Look out for
the damsel flies as you ride.
Eventually the track widens out and you pass an old bothy on your left. Continue just a bit further
and there is a bridge over the burn - nice place for a coffee.
Continue on into the forest and there is a huge amount of trails
around here. We biked towards Feshiebridge and then turned left to the landing strip just after Lagganlia.
Return the same way
or choose other options:
Variations:
Come back via forest trails to the car park.
Come back along the road to Dalnavert and pick
up the forest trails again.
Come back via the road and as a special treat call in for chocolate cake and coffee at the Inshriach Nurseries,
where a big surprise will await you (we won't spoil it).
