Lochcarron is an excellent base for road and trail biking and is gaining popularity with hard-core mountain bikers. The Applecross peninsula offers one of Britain’s finest and most challenging road circuits. The routes described here are technically moderate, but some are long and exposed to prevailing weather. Written by Martin Moran.
Here we show extracts from the cycling section of the guide, full details are included in the publication.
Equipment
The Lochcarron district is relatively remote from cycle outfitters and repair shops. Bikers must come with all required spares. Apart from helmet, accessories and repair kit cyclists in this area need to take adequate shell clothing and warm layers for cold or windy days. High- visibility garments are especially important on single-track roads.
Code of Conduct
Road cyclists should take special care on single- track roads; most cars are courteous and stop in passing places to allow bikers through, but a few don’t! Off-road bikers should comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and show respect to pedestrians on all trails. Upland paths are particularly vulnerable to erosion from mountain bikers and are expensive to repair. Routes described cover hard-core vehicle tracks but there are a few single-file path sections where great care must be taken to minimise damage, for example by cycling in firm dry conditions.
GRADES OF ROUTE Off-road routes are graded by the standard Green Blue Red Black grades between easy and severe. Green and Blue routes are suitable for beginners and families; but some Blues have long ascents. Length and ascent are given for road routes as a guide.
Road Biking Circuits
LOCHALSH PENINSULA: A beautiful circuit. If starting from Lochcarron the south-side of the loch (A890 Stromeferry by-pass) must be negotiated in both directions. This has two strenuous hills. For those with car transport a start from Stromeferry viewpoint (GR 867 344) makes an shorter and easier route, going via the A890 to Auchtertyre and A82 to Kyle of Lochalsh and returning by the delightful back-road through Erbusaig, Drumbuie with a short detour to Plockton, then back to Achmore. From Lochcarron: 76km (48 miles) and 720m; from Stromeferry: 38km (24 miles) and 450m ascent.
APPLECROSS PENINSULA (BEALACH BEAG): The tour de force of local road routes, and an annual race challenge. The 600m Bealach na Ba is Britain’s longest continuous cycle ascent and is best taken first, but the Applecross north coast road between Kenmore and Shieldaig has almost as much ascent and is often underestimated. Pick a calm day! Route: Lochcarron-Kishorn- Applecross-Kenmore-Shieldaig and back down the A896 to Lochcarron. 92km (58 miles) with 1400m ascent.
TORRIDON CIRCUIT: With good road surface and relatively gentle climbs this offers a grand day out with great views and some fast sections. Route: Lochcarron - A896 to Shieldaig, Torridon and Kinlochewe, A832 to Achnasheen, A890/A896 to Lochcarron. 100km (61 miles) with 580m ascent.
BEALACH MOR: The complete Applecross- Torridon circuit is the route of the annual Bealach Mor event; a challenge for real enthusiasts. Route: Torridon-Kinlochewe-Achnasheen-Lochcarron. 145km (90 miles) with 1600m ascent.
Off-road and Mountain Biking Routes
Many of the Walks have sections suitable for recreational off-road biking and these are denoted (B) in the walk description.
RERAIG-ACHINTRAID PENINSULA
The Reraig peninsula W of Lochcarron village offers several options.
RERAIG LOOP - GREEN
A pleasant easy route is to cycle the N shore road past North Strome to Ardaneaskan and continue to make a circuit of Reraig forest 20km 120m ascent.
CIRCUIT OF THE PENINSULA - RED
The full cycle circuit of the peninsula uses the Right of Way between Achintraid to Reraig, and is best done anti-clockwise, taking the A896 from Lochcarron over to Kishorn and then Achintraid. The ascent from Achintraid to the top of the hill path is steep and tough, but the downhill ride over the moorland path to Reraig is exciting and the road section back to Lochcarron is peaceful and charming. 25km 400m ascent.
KISHORN ISLANDS - GREEN
Reraig Forest - Achintraid page 14. A nice ride from Achintraid.
ATTADALE: LOCH AN IASAICH - BLUE
The uphill stretch out of Attadale is sustained but the run back from Loch an Iasaich is exhilarating.
BENDRONAIG LODGE - BLUE
This route follows a private vehicle track throughout and is frequently used by hillwalkers as access to “bag” the very remote Munros and Corbetts in the Attadale outback. From Attadale climb the road S as for Loch an Iasaich but continue E on the main track over the watershed and into the desolately beautiful valley of the Black Water. There is an open bothy at Bendronaig Lodge for lunch and shelter before return run which has a truly superb 300m downhill run back into Attadale. 29km round-trip with 480m ascent.
ACHMORE FOREST CIRCUIT - GREEN
Walk 2 of Stromeferry and Achmore. Go anti-clockwise; the climb of Braeintra hill is a grind but the rest is pure delight; an excellent short ride.
GLENUAIG - BLUE
The estate road from Craig to Glenauig Lodge is another good wilderness ride, but the route must be reversed. The onward link to Strathconon is rough and marshy (Black).
COULIN PASS - BLUE
The 250m ascent to the Coulin Pass is well-graded and the run down to Coulin Lodge and Kinlochewe has splendid scenery; collection is required at the Kinlochewe end or else the route must be reversed. Alternatively, finish by the Torridon road circuit. Achnashellach to Kinlochewe: 18km and 250m ascent.
OFF-ROAD TORRIDON CIRCUIT - RED
Locharron-Achnashellach-Coulin Pass-Torridon- Loch Damh-Kishorn. 41m (66km) with 650m ascent. From Lochcarron take the A890 NE to Achnashellach and follow the Coulin Pass route past Coulin Lodge to meet the A896 5km W of Kinlochewe. Turn left and cycle through Torridon towards Shieldaig. At West Lodge GR 858 542 turn left on to the private road along the E shore of Loch Damh. After 5km this becomes a narrow path and the next 4km to Kinloch Damph are technically challenging. Ford the stream at Kinloch Damph and cycle up the access road to meet the A896. Turn left and follow the main road back to Lochcarron via Kishorn.