| Glen Orchy |
| Description: |
| Mountain biking with some road sections |
|
| Distance: |
16 miles circular |
| Difficulty: |
Fairly difficult |
| Average Time: |
Five Hours |
| How to get there: |
Train to Bridge of Orchy from Glasgow or Fort William (reserve a space for your bike). By car Bridge of Orchy is on the A82 road to Fort William between Crainlarich and Glen Coe. |
| Riding conditions: |
On the off-road part there are a number of streams to cross with a steep descent to the road at the southern end. Most of the route is rough track. The public road through the glen is single track (passing places). |
| Directions: |
(O.S. Landranger Map 50).
From Bridge of Orchy (grid ref 297 397) cross the bridge beside the hotel then turn left to a forest road. This lasts for roughly a mile then it becomes a rough track. From the southern end start at the bailey bridge at Eas Urchaidh (see map) and climb steeply up the hill crossing several burns. You eventually come to a flat area where you cross the river to a rough track. Continuing on without crossing the river takes you to a Scots Pine forest reserve.
Doing the off-road route in a northward direction means you have an easy downhill return on the road to make a circular route; the opposite way you have a fast but tricky off-road descent to Eas Urchaidh. There's a great swimming hole underneath the bailey bridge incidentally. |
| Where to stay: |
The Bridge of Orchy Hotel (01838 400208) has a bunkhouse (#10). The hotel itself is very comfortable (B&B #25-#45). If you are staying at the bunkhouse the hotel can provide bar meals (including breakfast). There are no cooking
facilities in the bunkhouse. Quite near too is the Inveroran Hotel (signed Forest Lodge). This is in a lovely location away from the main road. Wild camping is allowed nearby and campers can eat at the bar or in the hotel). |
| Where to eat & drink: |
See Accommodation |
| Bike Shops: |
The nearest bike shop is in Fort William: Off Beat Bikes, 117 High Street, Fort William. 01397 704008. They also do bike hire. |
| Further Information: |
* For a full description of other mountain biking possibilities in the area see my book 101 Mountain Bike Routes in Scotland Mainstream Publishing (ISBN 1 85158 936 8). |
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