This has the same starting point as ride {19}, parking by the forest entrance at Garbole.
I have to admit that I didn't study the OS
map (35) closely enough before we set off on this ride.
It is toughish, 20 mile plus ride from Strathdearn to Strath Nairn.
It
is a there and back ride up and over a high pass in really wild terrain, so the advice is to do it on a calm day with no forecast
of rain. We recommend doing it in June because at the far end of the pass is a lovely loch surrounded by rhododendrons - a lovely
splash of colour en route.
From your starting point then, head off towards Garbole and there is a right hand turn signposted
Farr - 7 miles. Take this road. You will pass through a gate and then cross a bridge before starting to climb through
a forested area before reaching the top in open moorland.
We kept looking for a sign that said "Alpe D' Huez - 2Km to the finish"!!.
It is about 2 miles upbank and steep in places and we sympathise with Tour de France riders.
From the top, the road (single track
with passing places) twists and turns in magnificent scenery with great open views all around. Off season, it would probably
be spooky and you'd expect to find rusty bike frames with skeletons in crash helmets!
After a few miles of this road it drops
back down the 2 miles, back into forest and lusher vegetation. On your left you will pass the loch mentioned above and well worth
pausing with your camera.
Continue to the end of the road. As an aside it is interesting to note that the sign back to Garbole
says 8 miles, not 7.
At the junction, ignore the right hand option to Farr, but turn left and continue on this road until you
come to Brin Herb Nursery on your right. This is a great place to stop for a coffee and some of their delicious carrot cake.
There are tables and chairs outdoors so you can keep an eye on your bikes while you enjoy your lunch.
Return is via the same
route, but it seems longer going upbank on the return leg.
The payback of course is the long 2 mile downhill near the end of the ride.
Variation
{1}: If this isn't enough mileage for you, you can continue past Brin Nursery for a couple of miles and turn right to visit Loch Ruthven,
before returning the same way.
Variation {2}: Another option is part way along the high pass, but you will have to be seriously
fit for this. You will notice on the South West side of the pass, a few miles in, a couple of wide off-road trails, reachable
by a small bridge. You can extend your ride by taking in one or more of these trails before returning to the road.
