CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Leisure

Mini Adventure suggestions?

(23 posts)
  • Started 7 years ago by HankChief
  • Latest reply from sallyhinch

  1. HankChief
    Member

    Having had a good family ride with the little chiefs this week on NCN7 in Glen Ogle (beating their distance PBs), we met several cycle tourers.

    This led to a long conversation on why they were doing it and my 8yo asking to go on an overnight adventure.

    So what are your suggestions for a c.30-50mile trip, that can be split across 2 days?

    Off road or very light traffic only & preferably accessibly by public transport.

    The canal from Glasgow is an obvious suggestion, but I worry it might be a little monotonous...

    Posted 7 years ago #

  2. gembo
    Member

    Canal towpath can get monotonous but is flat. Good from cowcaddens to Kirkintilloch. If dry next stretch ok. Getting to Falkirk good. Can be dull from their to Linlithgow which is nice. Slog again after Linlithgow.

    Ncn75 might work if take Milngavie/Helensburgh line. Get off at airdrie take path back via pyramids and Livingston country parks.?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  3. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Oh this is great news. Perfect response from the Chieflets.

    30-50mile trip, that can be split across 2 days?

    How hardy are youse for the overnight? Are we talking tent, B&B, 5-star hotel? I'm guessing B&B for the first overnighter?

    Thinking of safe routes reveals the paucity of our infrastructure right enough. The obvious (to me) thing to do is to cycle up the Great Glen from Fort William a suitable distance on the Caledonian Canal path/forest roads/old railway path and then reverse the route the next day. Maybe Invergarry would be the right distance?

    If, on the other hand, you're camping I have a million gentle trundles up a glen for you.....

    Posted 7 years ago #

  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Otherwise the various highland dead-end roads are very quiet for there and back rides. Kinlochhourn road, Glen Etive road, Glenelg road, Loch Arkaig road.

    Problem is getting there in the first place and finding a bed for the night.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  5. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    From Pitlochry in towards Loch Rannoch? Roads on the south side of that glen are deserted.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  6. StepRam
    Member

    If you're up for travelling up north/west there are a load of adventures to be had. This one is beautiful but a little hilly in parts, there is a pub and hotel on one end and a campsite at the other!
    https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/56.739933,-5.7796644/56.7261852,-6.2211774/@56.7085504,-6.1398401,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e0!5m1!1e3

    I'm planning on taking my 6-year-old on a ride along the canal to the EICA from Slatford this week to set his distance PB.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  7. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Up and down Glen Lyon? One of the best glens ever.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  8. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    NCN78 is off-road between Benderloch & Ballachulish, I think.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  9. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    Dava Way from Forres to Grantown-on-Spey is gorgeous, rail accessible, has only gentle slopes, is totally off-road and 23 miles long with many B&Bs at each end. Rough going in parts mind.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  10. HankChief
    Member

    Thanks all.

    I'm tempted by train to Rannoch Station, stop over at Kinloch Rannoch and home via Pitlochry.

    Will need to give it some more thought, but will let you know if/when we go on adventure...

    HC

    Posted 7 years ago #

  11. paddyirish
    Member

    Oban to Fort William - almost all off road AFAIK.Something involving ferries? 5 ferries is too much right now but Wemyss Bay to Rothesay and a brief trip over to Colintraive hotel?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  12. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    @paddyirish

    Oban to FW - middle bit is offroad as I mentioned but Connel Bridge to Benderloch & Ballachulish to Corran Ferry is still on A roads.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  13. gembo
    Member

    @hankchief, like your thinking on rannoch station, is that not where the trainspotters get off? No one else would. Getting there from Edinburgh's might take a while?

    How's about train to dunkeld, cycle to Blairgowrie then over to Pitlochry and train home. ,or drive to dunkeld, cycle to Blairgowrie then over to Pitlochry then back to dunkeld. The last bit you do on forest path into dunkeld hydro to avoid the a9?

    Posted 7 years ago #

  14. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @hankchief

    Great idea. When they're a bit older you can get off the same train at Corrour and cycle through to get the train home from Dalwhinnie.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  15. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    I once met the only trainspotter in Kinlochrannoch. This is true.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  16. HankChief
    Member

    Been wondering again...

    Has anyone done Berwick to Holy Island on NCN1? Do-able with little people?

    It's not far at 15miles, but could give some excitement of involving a train getting there, crossing the causeway and having a castle.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  17. Snowy
    Member

    The causeway is fine - narrow but cars usually well behaved. The rest of the road on the island, well, I remember some truly idiotic driving a couple of years ago, but it's only about 2.5 miles from causeway to the town. Maybe just avoid times when the causeway has just opened or will be closing soon.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  18. hunnymonster
    Member

    NCN1 between Berwick & Holy Island is largely across fields. A couple of cattle grids with gaps large enough for my large adult feet to enter (up to the knee, ouch) - it's not impossible with small travellers, just be aware of the hazards.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  19. gembo
    Member

    @hankchief, think so, once out of Berwick town centre, car free with only a wee hill until just before the causeway. Then as Snowy says not ever busy except when opens and closes. You might be able to cycle right up to the abbey and castle. Cars park just shy of the actual buildings. In addition to the castle, the monks, the upturned boats as sheds, the causeway etc there is a link to Gertrude Jekyll. Who was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson, due to her mood swings. Oh wait no, she was a gardener.

    The other way out of Berwick on NCN you get to the honey farm and the bridge twixt Scotland and England. Maybe less good for little 'uns

    Neither adventure comes with free rescue by hog warts express when you lose your canoe.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  20. sallyhinch
    Member

    If mountain biking is one of your things, from the train station in Dumfries you can now reach Mabie Forest almost entirely off road, and in the other direction you can get to Ae on NCN 7 which is half off-road and then on a very quiet single track road.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  21. fimm
    Member

    And at Mabie you can stay here: http://www.marthrownofmabie.com/
    Very cool (fairly basic but fine) bunkhouses. Also yurts and a roundhouse IIRC.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  22. SRD
    Moderator

    We may have to try both of those. thanks for the ideas.

    Posted 7 years ago #

  23. sallyhinch
    Member

    Very happy to act as a local guide for the Dumfries one

    Posted 7 years ago #

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