Cairngorms Rides - Nethy Bridge Local

If you're short of time, here are 3 different local rides that can be enjoyed. Using OS Map 36 you'll be able to link these rides up if you wish to give some mixed terrain variety. Ride 15 is particularly short and suitable for children too if done as a there-and-back to the end farm, but beware crossing any rivers with smaller children. There are lots more trails in and around Nethy - enjoy playing locally. You could also use Trailmaps - Abernethy Map for some other options.

13 - Craigmore Woods

Between Grantown on Spey and Nethy Bridge there are many gates on your left where you can get into the woods and ride up into the hills on off-road, and sometimes part-overgrown trails. There are lots of tracks to explore and some of them are steep (but great coming back). Try starting from the castle and heading off towards Grantown a short way and then up into the wood - explore some of the trails and then cut across to Blairgorm. From here you can cross the road and carefully go through the farm opposite to get back into the woods and cross over to Lettoch (you'll need to lift the bikes over a gate/wall near Lettoch). You can then bike down through Lynstock and Causer back to Nethy.

Variation {1} : At Blairgorm turn left up the road and take the road for Dorback Lodge

Variation {2} : At Lettoch turn left up the road to Lurg and take in the views before returning to Nethy by road.

14 - Dorback Lodge

From Nethy take the road towards Grantown and then turn right by the golf course on the Tomintoul Road. At the Causer crossroads turn left and carry on uphill through the forested lane and continue up towards the A939. There are some splendid views as you come out of the forest area. After a couple of miles there is a turning on the right for Dorback Lodge. This is a lovely little lane with good views. As you get to the end return by road to Nethy. There seems to be good biking if you continue past Dorback Lodge but we've not tried it yet.

Variation {1} : Back at the end of the lane on the return, turn right and carry on up to the A939 - a couple of steep hills but great scenery.

15 - Lurg

From Nethy take the road towards Grantown and then turn right by the golf course on the Tomintoul Road. At the Causer crossroads continue straight on up the hill to Lettoch and onwards to Bynackbeg and Lurg. The views of the Cairngorms and Abernethy Forest, and indeed the whole 360 degree panorama is fantastic. Great place for a coffee stop. At the last farm there is a gate on the right and you can cross a little burn and then ride up towards the forest. The OS Map shows a track to the bridge at Lyngarrie, but this is a boggy area with ankle deep water. If you are mad enough to do it, cross the bridge into the forest and turn right on the trail back to Lower Dell or left to Forest Lodge and then work your way back to Nethy (see previous rides for options).

Variation: Ride up towards the forest, as before, to a junction of metal gates and go to a wide clearing on the left with a stream just after the clearing. There is a crossing point close to a fallen tree and a tall gate on the other side. Take the single track to the right and you come out over the bridge close to Forest Lodge. Either turn right to Lyngarrie (signposted Nethy 3 miles) or left for Forest Lodge and return back through the woods to Dell of Abernethy and Nethy Bridge (see previous rides for options and details).

As you can see, these little local rides can link up to create lots of variety.

Accommodation

Trailmaps, O.S Maps & Links

Contact Us

Watercolour Art Gallery Home