The (alternative) Cairnorms Loop
Sun 19 - Sat 24 May 2024
5
Days Riding
6
Nights Accommodation
230km
Total Distance
3781m
Elevation Gain
6/10
Overall Difficulty
£845
Total Cost
Prepare yourself for an epic 5-day guided adventure through the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, taking in all of the best bits of the established Cairngorms Loop with added sections and creative detours, not covered by the original route. This expedition is semi-supported. Our support vehicle will meet with us during the day, so that we can travel light and more efficiently. Towards the end of each day, we’ll load bikes with all of the necessary equipment to venture into remote valleys to wild camp and be self-sufficient. This style of expedition not only adds convenience and peace of mind, it allows us to travel further and get the most out of the five days together.
Our route travels through ancient Caledonian pine forests, along secluded lochs and into remote glens. You'll enjoy one of the UK’s true wilderness experiences with big skies and sublime vistas. With ever changing landscapes, this expedition will provide you with a physical challenge but also a profound connection with the untamed beauty of the Scottish wilderness.
sunday
Arrival Day at the Rothiemurchus campsite
Welcome to the Cairngorms. Most of us will have travelled a significant distance to get here but everyone will be in awe of the campsite backdrop and landscape we’re surrounded by. This is Scotland at its very best and it’s truly breathtaking. We’ll welcome other team members during the course of the afternoon and start preparing for the week ahead. We’ll fettle with kit and equipment and after a hearty meal, we’ll work through the expedition plan in detail.
monday (Day 1)
rothiemurchus to loch builg
48km
993M
Heading out of the campsite, we’ll follow the old logging road (now a superb cycle path) through the Queen’s Forest towards Loch Morlich. The trail turns north via the Ryvoan bothy and meanders through Caledonian pines with clearings that allow sublime views of the Cairngorm mountains as our backdrop. We now swap between singletrack and forest trails (and the odd river crossing) towards the small village of Tomintoul. As we swing south, the landscape changes to reveal vast, u-shaped valleys created over a millenia by the River Avon. We travel into the wilderness, towards its source and along the edge of Loch Builg. We’ll camp here for the night, amongst the ruins of Lochbuilg Lodge. It’s only a short walk back to the pebble beach for anyone who’s keen for the wildest of swims.
tuesday (Day 2)
loch builg to glas-allt shiel bothy
43km
411M
Most of today will be spent on well compacted 4x4 tracks lined with heather and with birds of prey circling overhead. We’ll make great progress on these fast trails and have time to soak up the atmosphere as we cruise along. The midway point today is the well-equipped town of Ballatar, with two bike shops and a range of amenities. We’ll have a spot of lunch here before departing along more easy to travel gravel tracks, climbing steadily to the truly majestic Loch Muick and Glas-Allt-Shiel bothy.
wednesday (Day 3)
glas-allt shiel bothy to the red house bothy
45km
763M
We’ll need a good breakfast today since our objective is accessing the trails through Balmoral forest into Braemar which lies beyond the slopes of Clais Rathadanon. This steep hike-a-bike section is the crux of the whole trip. Strong riders will manage some saddle time, most will need to push on steep sections. We’ll take it slow and pause when needed. A sense of humour will be useful. Reaching the col is a welcome sight. The reward: big skies, views as far as the eyes allow and a huge sense of achievement, not to mention a 10 km non-technical descent. The smell of rich pine fills our nostrils once again as we turn west along the River Dee, famous for its world-class salmon fishing. We could so easily be in Canada. Civilisation greets us once again as we roll into Braemar. We’ll spend time refuelling before the final push through the Linn of Dee (another great swimming spot) and onto the Red House, a recently renovated bothy and a landscape to behold.
thursday (Day 4)
the red housE bothy to glen feshie
63km
1328M
Today’s route steps up in technical difficulty and by now our legs are starting to feel the mileage. Fear not, we’ll take it in our stride. Leaving the Red House bothy behind, we cross several small rivers, until the we reach the source of the river Dee and ride south again, entering Glenn Tilt. The atmosphere builds as we navigate along wonderful singletrack with fantastic views of the valley system below. We’ll rest and fuel next to a beautiful bridge overlooking the Tarf Waterfall and there's time for one of nature’s most exhilarating showers before the long descent into Blair Athol. After a short stint on General Wade’s Military Road we’ll start to head north along 4x4 and along remote lochs. Our objective today is to access the Feshie valley system, certainly one of the most beautiful in all of Scotland.
friday (Day 5)
glen feshie to rothiemurchus
31km
286M
Our final day is another classic spent navigating ancient Caledonian pine forests along intricate trails and small loch systems. The terrain, whilst retaining its sense of wilderness, has a secure and familiar undercurrent and we'll all start to feel the finish line approaching. This landscape is breathtaking and completely energising. You'll arrive back in Aviemore having experienced something very special – a circumnavigation of the UK’s largest National Park and arguably its wildest.
Expedition Highlights
Cycling past An Loch Uaine (the green loch) within the first hour of starting the expedition.
The remote and wild Glen Builg and the sounds of birds of prey circling overhead.
The intricate network of singletrack through ancient Caledonian forest.
Wild swimming in the tranquil waters of the river Dee.
Wild camping beside Loch Muick and exploring the Glas-allt-Shiel bothy.
Reaching the source of the river Dee and then descending Glen Tilt and passing the Falls of Tarf.
FAQ
What bike is best for The (Alternative) Cairngorms Loop?
The route itself is really varied. Most of the time we’re on non-technical, off road tracks, easy gravel, forest tacks, singletrack and 4x4 roads. We’ve designed the route to avoid sustained technical terrain. That said, there are few small river crossings and some of the 4x4 tracks are quite rough in places. To that end, we recommend a lightweight hardtail mountain bike with a short travel fork or a rigid fork on plus tyres. The route can be completed on a drop bar adventure bike with a minimum of 40 mm tyres. Anything less than that and you'll start to reduce the enjoyment factor.
Do I need my own bike?
No, we can arrange rental for you and it can be picked up and ready for you to ride. Please let us know if you need a bike and we’ll discuss options but rental prices start at £99 for the week.
Do I need my own bikepacking bags?
The short answer is yes. Our support vehicle will meet us each day but we’ll be travelling through some remote areas, where the support vehicle can’t access. So we’ll all need to be able to carry overnight kit at various points along the way. If you don’t own any specific bikepacking bags yourself, don’t worry. You can also rent these and we’ll work through this together during the booking process.
What other clothing and equipment will I need?
You will need some basic outdoor clothing and some basic camping gear too. A clothing and equipment list can be downloaded by clicking download below.
We know that equipment can be expensive and part of the reason for coming along might be to learn about what to buy. We’re very happy to arrange a call to discuss all aspects of kit and equipment and can advise you on anything you may consider buying before the expedition, if this would be helpful?
How physically fit do I need to be for the (Alternative) Cairngorms Loop?
You will need to be able to ride a bike with bikepacking bags attached, at a steady state (say 10-15 km per hour), for most of the day, for 5 days consecutively. The fitter you are, the more scope you’ll have to enjoy the scenery but each day of cycling will be interspersed with short breaks for refuelling, photos and where appropriate, sharing knowledge and top tips. You'll also need the mindset to tackle mixed terrain and mixed weather. The Scottish landscape is as beautiful as it is challenging and whilst the (Alternative) Cairngorms Loop follows mainly non-technical terrain, there are a few short sections that will require us all to push bikes up (and down). We believe that a bit of 'hike-a-bike' is part of the bikepacking experience and well worth the effort.
What sort of prior experience do I need to have, to enjoy the (Alternative) Cairngorms Loop Expedition?
Not that much really. As long as you can ride a bike for most of the day on mixed terrain and you have a genuine desire, and the robustness to immerse yourself in a week-long expedition, you’ll be fine. The (Alternative) Cairngorm Loop is less about racking up the mileage and more about journeying through a wonderful landscape, adapting to the terrain and of course the weather. This expedition is perfect for learning from each other, developing expedition skills and having a great time and your guide will do everything they can to look after everyone's specific needs. Finally, before anyone takes part in any of our expeditions, there will have been a very sensible and supportive conversation that makes sure you're suitable. No one benefits from taking part in an experience where there isn't a good fit.
How many hours will we be riding for each day?
We’ll cycle between 6-7 hours each day and take breaks when needed and when the scenery dictates.
How many riders will make up the group?
We usually require at least 3 riders to make the expedition viable and will never have groups larger than 8.
Will riders stay together during the day?
Yes, we'll stay together as a group. There may be short sections (usually inclines) where those who want to stretch their legs can enjoy a challenge but we'll move together, and for safety reasons, we will always descend together, as a group.
Where will the expedition start and what's the best way to get there?
Our meeting point is the beautiful Rothiemurchus Campsite. You’re welcome to join us from 3 pm on Sunday. We’ll gather as a group during the afternoon, enjoy a meal together in the evening and prepare for the weekend ahead. If you're travelling by car, directions can be found by clicking...
If you're travelling by train, the nearest station is Aviemore. If you're keen to get a lift from the train station to the campsite, no problem, just let us know during the booking process.
When and where will we finish on Friday?
Our final day will be spent making our way back to our start point at the Rothiemurchus Campsite and we'll aim to get back by mid-afternoon. We'll clean bikes, sort kit, have a shower and say our farewells to those who need to depart. For those who wish to stay overnight, we'll have another evening in this wonderful setting, recounting the previous 5 days.
Will my spare clothes and equipment be transported for me during the trip?
You'll get access to your spare clothing and equipment whenever we met up with the support vehicle each day. However, since we travel into remote valleys each day, we'll pick up our expedition equipment from the support vehicle each afternoon and carry it, on some days, well into the next day. We think this is a great way to journey as our support vehicle allows a degree of flexibility.
What will I need to carry with me during the day?
You'll need to wear appropriate clothing to suit the weather and once we leave basecamp on Monday morning, we'll be carrying everything we need for the day. This will include: spare clothes, some food and emergency equipment etc. We'll travel quite light for most of the day and then meet up with the support vehicle at pre-designated points. However, the nature of the (Alternative) Cairngorm Loop Expedition means that we'll need to be self-sufficient for significant parts of the trip, requiring us to carry tents, sleeping bags and cooking equipment each evenin - this is what Bikepacking is all about!
Is there a limit on what I can bring?
The only limit we have is space within the support vehicle. All we ask is that you fit whatever you need transporting into one bag / holdall / suitcase that is no bigger than 100cm x 45cm x 45cm. These measurements equate to a large holdall and should be more than enough for the week. The clothing and equipment list above gives you guidance on what you need to take during each part of the expedition and your guide will help you with this before you set off.
What type of accommodation will we be using?
We’ve opted for tented accommodation. This gives us the most flexibility and helps us develop a range of useful skills necessary for more adventurous expeditions. You can bring your own tent or you can use one of ours, free of charge. We have enough tents so that everyone can have their own, should they wish. Whilst at Rothiemurchus Campsite, we’ll have one large communal tent, where we can all meet, plan, chat and share meals together. We’ll also have a (secure) bike tent, so we can clean, prepare bikes and carry out any maintenance under cover, if needed. Our support vehicle will meet us at designated points along the route but we will be wild camping, in one form or another each night, once we embark on the expedition.
Will I have to share a tent?
No, but you can if you choose to. All of our tents are two person semi-geodesic. They are comfortable for two or palatial for one.
What's the catering plan?
We’ll provide all meals and snacks between the time you arrive on Sunday until we reach our hotel on Saturday. We love food and know how important it is during an expedition. All meals provided will be healthy and plentiful (cake will just be plentiful). A sample menu can be found by clicking
Once you're booked onto an expedition, we'll ask you for your preferences during the booking process.
What if I have allergies and / or dietary requirements?
No problem. Let's discuss this during the booking process and we'll do our utmost to support your needs.
Can I leave my car securely during the week?
Yes, we’ll meet up at the Rothiemurchus campsite on Sunday and you can leave your car at the campsite until we return on Friday afternoon.
How do I book onto this expedition?
You can start the simple booking process by clicking...
and we'll contact you to arrange a quick chat, just to make sure you've picked the perfect expedition that matches your ability and expectations. Once we're both happy, we'll ask you for a deposit (50% of the total cost of the expedition), then we'll confirm your place and take you through the rest of the booking process. This involves getting some information from you and us sharing everything you need to know in preparation for your expedition. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this expedition before making a booking, no problem, go to the 'Ask Us Anything' section below and we'll answer your query as quickly as we can.
If we've not covered an area you're keen to explore in the FAQ above, please do get in touch using the 'Ask Us Anything' form below and we'll answer your query as quickly as we can.
Book an adventure in 3 Easy Steps
Start the simple booking process by clicking and we’ll arrange a convenient time to call you. We just need to make sure you’ve picked the perfect expedition for you. If you’re keen to chat before deciding whether to commit to an expedition, no problem, contact us via 'Ask Us Anything' below and we’ll get back in touch as quickly as we can to answer any questions you have.
Once we're both happy that you've picked a suitable expedition, we'll ask you for a deposit (50% of the total cost of the expedition), then we'll confirm your place, via email, and take you through the rest of the booking process. We’ll need to get some more information from you and we'll send you some more details about your expedition.
We’re happy to field any questions you have leading up to your expedition but roughly 14 days before your expedition is due to start, we’ll contact you to make sure you’re ready to join us. We’ll share the final GPX file of your route and update you on any relevant information to include details about other expedition members.