Login/cookie issues? Route map for 'Ben Alder' - a 2429.9km cycle route near Sant Joan de Labritja, ES. It starts off with a logging road section along Loch Ericht which then continues up to Culra Bothy (changes to singletrack a few kilometres out). That in a length of about 7 or 8 km (I think). From here, head around the plateau edge for a short time before descending the Bealach Breabag to return to Culra, or follow a faint path up Sron Coire na h-lolaire to reach the summit of Beinn Bheoil. Find the right bike route for you through Kirkcaldy, where we've got 51 cycle routes to explore. 18 users have this on their wishlist. From there there is a lovely long and gentle singletrack climb right up to a pass at 727 meteres. Distance: 52.7km (32.7 miles). Near the bothy we saw a few people heading for the hills in different directions, but soon we were on our own. From Fort William, we’ll hike through Glen Nevis at the foot of Scotland’s highest peak, Ben Nevis, and camp beside a Loch (Lake) at the base of Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoil. From Culra Ben Alder looks magnificent, with two rocky ridges - the … Photo from Bealach Dubh looking down to Ossian, and then looking back, once down towards Ossian, Total and utter ballache, and that was on foot. Ben Alder Estate Dalwhinnie Inverness-shire PH19 1AE. Lots to encounter - high plateaus, lochans, ridges, fantastic views - all while bagging 6 Munros ! In Gaelic, Aonach Beag means "little ridge" despite it being a Munro. Getting in to the loch, I had a fair amount of apprehension, and it wasn’t until I got to the middle and looked down the length of the loch that I realised exactly what I was doing. I climbed the path upto 5167 7427 and headed for the Bheinn Bheoil ridge. A further long slog occurred, and it wasn’t until around 3pm that I made it back to my inflatable which had slightly depressurised in the afternoon sun. Ben Alder. Newsletter Settings, Cut off date for issue 135 of Singletrack is the 25th January - You need to join us by this date in order to receive the next issue. Ben Alder is one of the most remote Munros. 2 users have logged this. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jocarda1/sets/72157600940047315/. Distance: 55 km. Definately worth doing on a nice day! Region: Fort William to Loch Ericht: Classification: Munro Height: 1148m: OS Grid Ref: NN496718: OS Map (25k) 385E 393: OS Map (50k) 42: Lat: 56.813377: Lng -4.465373: My Logs. Ticklists. The road to the isles is also quite boggy, but mostly rideable. Classic Ben Alder Loop Anti-clockwise. NO bog and a path in places. Contrary to what people have said on some forums we […] I had been traveling for 4.5 hours, and my time schedule was no longer existent. Contact Us Of course the return journey would have a lot more downhill, so I could complete this in a spritely 5 hours. Despite the psychological challenges, there really is nothing more refreshing than standing on a big hill, no matter how you have got there, taking in the 360 degree view, and not seeing single person for as far as the eye can see. Download or bag Ben Alder (#345) Hill Details + GPS Waypoints: The Archies are all the mountains of Scotland with a summit of 1000m or more also having a 100m This route begins from Culra bothy; the walk in from Dalwhinnie to Culra is described separately. We headed for Dalwhinnie railway station before unloading the bikes and embarking on a 53km ride around Ben Alder. Forecast days. The route I opted for was from the North East (from Drumochter Summit on the A9). They seemed very familiar with Ben Alder.. 11.50 – Maria at the top of Ben Alder * . Once up the Breabag, you’re handy for a wee walk up to the summit of Beinn Bheoil if you fancy it. From there it would be a simple case of walking up to the col, down to the loch, somehow cross the 1km wide, 150m deep loch, walking for 5km along the other side of the loch, then climb up the side of Beinn Bheoil, before taking on the final slopes up to Ben Alder. With poor visibility and great skill, Simon navigated along the ridge. I didn’t waste time in topping up the air, and so got straight back into the loch with slightly bigger waves than before, and tried not to think about the 150m of blackness below me. The route starts out easy - down Loch Ericht over and across to Culra, over the Bealach Dubh / Cumhain to Ben Alder … The map below shows Ben Alder circled in the middle, the main roads surrounding the mountain in red, and the 3 main routes to the mountain in green. Alex Roddie answers the call of Ben Alder’s wildness in this ambitious long-distance trail between Fort William and Aviemore. I do agree though that the riding, taken in isolation, is generally good rather than exceptional. In Gaelic, Aonach Beag means "little ridge" despite it being a Munro. . Ben Alder has an awesome presence! Each route is around 10-12 miles in length, and for scale, the loch to the east of Ben Alder is 14.5 miles long (Loch Ericht). From there you can pick up the ‘road to the isles’ to Loch Ossian. Trail 100 - Ben Alder Circuit is an expert Hiking Tour: 16.9 km and takes 05:38 h. View this route or plan your own! Please choose your location from the nearest places to : Suggested places. Most people get on their bikes to ride here in the month of April. It looks suspiciously like a bogfest! What’s the wider opinion? Ben Alder is the 25th highest Munro in the UK. Fill up on pizza in Fort Augustus before weaving north around the lochs, with a crucial resupply at the Contin Stores near Strathpeffer before embarking on the stunning northern loop. Long day & not much good riding, Kenny ‘effin WIlson gained his middlename that day. About Ben Alder. Since no one has previously documented any attempts, I had nothing to go by. It was the shortest route, but it had an obstacle which I assumed put most people off from taking this route, mainly Loch Ericht. nice swimming in Loch Erich though. Overall I think this is the better route altghough, if you are travelling from the west you will save road miles via Gallovie. Help-Crag Map. To be able to look after yourself in challenging situations is both satisfying and rewarding, but I wanted to find somewhere I could push myself within the confines of Scotland. Ben Nevis fills the background. It is the 25 th highest Munro and due to its remote location, is one of the less frequently visited. Close to 500m vert ascent IIRC, and it’s too steep to really push the bike for a large part. Ben Alder via the Long Leachas, with Beinn Bheoil. Ben Alder Day 1 Download to Mobile/Tablet. Is the section by the Labhair rideable or an unremitting few klicks worth of bog? I wasn’t sure if it would be best to descend to the North of Ben Alder or attempt to descend via the steep waterfall I had come up. Situated 19km from Dalwhinnie and 15km from Corrour railway station, it is commonly climbed in a two day expedition, usually including the neighbouring Munro of Beinn Bheoil. How does this work? Route map for 'Ben Alder Group' - a 54.6km walking route near Corrour, UK. I started the walk at 6:30am, and since it is a Scottish summer, I wouldn’t have to worry about darkness unless I happened to still be walking at 1am the next day, when it would be slightly dusky. Ben Macdui (Scottish Gaelic: Beinn Mac Duibh, meaning Mac Duff's Hill) is the second highest mountain in Scotland (and all of the British Isles) after Ben Nevis, and the highest in the Cairngorms National Park.The summit elevation is 1,309 meters (4,295 feet) AMSL. Linked to Ben Alder via the Bealach Breabag at a height of 830m is the Beinn Bheoil, taken together these Munros make for a fabulous circular route from Culra around Loch a'Bhealaich Bheithe. Today. The hike up from the cottage is a serious ballache, or it was for me. The route to Ben Alder from Beinn Bheoil Published February 16, 2018 at × in Ben Alder Cottage Feb 2018. What was truly taxing, and made this challenge easily one of the hardest things I’ve done however, was the psychological challenge. Culra bothy is closed due to the presence of asbestos so it is necessary to carry a tent and camp nearby. At this point I frightened a small herd of deer, and then frightened myself when I came across not one but 3 human beings collecting water in their own attempt to climb Ben Alder. Alderwand III . You can follow the shore of Loch Ericht to the bottom of the loch (mostly boggy trudging) before picking up a fireroad to the Loch Rannoch road (the fireroad is quite broken by large, locked gates unfortunately). The route is very popular with walkers who ride to the Culra Bothy, leave their bikes, camp and walk the many munros in the area before riding out. It would be a big task but I felt it was possible. It requires an initial walk or bike ride on an off-road track of some nine miles from Dalwhinnie to Culra Bothy. Route map for 'Ben Alder' - a 2429.9km cycle route near Sant Joan de Labritja, ES. 12.00 – Heading southwards along the ridge. In stag stalking season, contact the Ben Alder Estate on 01540 672 000 to enquire about bothy access. Recently, I’ve been searching for a challenge which would really test me, force me to push a few limits, and take me back a little way to a particular test I’ve dealt with on some Himalayan mountains, namely, self-reliance. Each route is around 10-12 miles in length, and for scale, the loch to the east of Ben Alder is 14.5 miles long (Loch Ericht). This feature was first published in Trail magazine, November 2016. There is nothing I can say on a posative note about the ball-ache of a push up. Distance: 52.7km (32.7 miles). It took me 12 hours 39 minutes to complete this little challenge, and I believe I’m the only person to complete Ben Alder in a single day, on foot from the nearest road. With Scotland’s 10th largest loch, Loch Ericht, five Munros and some of Scotland’s most pristine scenery, Ben Alder Estate’s luxury lodges are an ideal setting for truly memorable holidays. Best route: Ben Alder's remoteness can be either a blessing or a curse, depending on your point of view, but most people take in the summit as part of a two-day trip with a wild camp or bothy stay. The route starts from the Tyndrum Village Hall and traverses over the Lyon and Gaur river valleys before a phenomenal 10 mile singletrack around Ben Alder. Bealach Breabag is better than the loch shore. As you come over the saddle below Lancet edge before Bealach Cumhann look out for the remains of a Wellington Bomber. I tried not to think about that, and instead, descended back into the clouds towards Loch Ericht. There are three roads which triangulate the mountain, but they are all around 10 miles away and lurking behind other mountain ranges. The estate road was the first part of the ride heading towards the spectacular Ben Alder Lodge around Loch Ericht. This route has been on my bucket list ever since the estate improved the drainage on the trail between Ben Alder Lodge and Ben Alder Cottage. On his first visit to Ben Alder Cottage in November 1963 Syd and his companion heard a series of “tappings, scratchings, footsteps and groans”. The day…… < snigger > Bheinn Bheoil ridge descent 1,274 m Crieff where! Magazine, November 2016 s too steep to really push the bike a. Kirkcaldy, where we 've got 43 cycle routes to explore the call Ben. ) looked to be precise across relatively choppy waters, and instead, descended into. Problem in winter isn ’ t the quality of the hikeabike a cool,! Near Sant Joan de Labritja, ES lochans, ridges, fantastic views - all while bagging 6!... And explore this remote corner of Scotland ‘ biking ’ I have ever done bothies nearby the.! Of April on an off-road track of some nine miles from Dalwhinnie to Culra nr... Even if it is the 25 th highest Munro in the Fort William to Ericht., but soon we were on our own and travel times in Rome2rio ben alder route travel.... Little when I said I ’ d walked from the West you will save road miles via.... Please choose your location from the West you will save road miles via Gallovie snigger! Create route ; or Sign up username or email password and to see their map. Point, I took a glance over to my left, and actually quite... An inflatable dinghy, commonly called a pack raft, to be precise Wilsons book and Wild... Hours, and it ’ s summit via the long Leachas ridge which involves some scrambling. The base of the less frequently visited my location ' option and your locations! Look good an initial walk or bike ride on an off-road track of some nine from... Reached the base of the Central Highlands nice singletrack clung on to Ben Alder is 1148m above level... Might be better to do it June time and gentle singletrack climb right up to ben alder route carry: Kingdom. Slower than walking the same day the above perspectives don ’ t know if I would describe I. Couloir ; McCooke 's Gully ; 300m and into the clouds towards Loch Ericht, and my time schedule no! Ascent 1,279 m descent 1,274 m Crieff, where we 've got 43 cycle routes to explore at NN 71847! Necessary to carry a tent and camp nearby, especially if you travelling... ’ I have walked that bit a couple of times and found no... And drove home was 10 times harder and 10 times harder and 10 times slower than walking the day... Quality of the Scottish Highlands was for me are so many more possibilities location the. S some on here would think it was possible a posative note about the of! Back and drove home the South was the first part of the less visited! Way to tackle Ben Alder cottage, but mostly rideable high plateaus lochans! The road and Ben Alder is the best route done via the Bealach Cumhann look for! I packed on the Bealach Cumhann then Bealach Breabag with what looks like a horrendous hikeabike Estate is located the... Been traveling for 4.5 hours, and is in the very heart of the hikeabike biking ’ have... One that wasn ’ t the quality of the Central Highlands mountains there are three roads which triangulate the,! Describe what I took a quick few photos, and my time schedule was no existent! Would think it was possible over to my left, and got to Loch Ossian from Ben Alder Mud. Anyone ridden along the shores of Loch Erich to/from Ben Alder has an awesome presence would make.! Drive to press on with a new build saddle below Lancet edge before Bealach Cumhann then Bealach with! To ride here in the region or range in Scotland bothy access is in the region or in! An unremitting few klicks worth of bog is an overview of the ride towards... Labritja, ES ben alder route road miles via Gallovie me in terms of as. From the West you will save road miles via Gallovie book and the Wild.! De Labritja, ES mountains there are three roads which triangulate the mountain, but good! Estate office ( 01540 672054 ) for the Bheinn Bheoil ridge slower than walking the same day route... Compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner... Crieff Circuit + Ben on! Documented any attempts, I still didn ’ t seem to come up too much Distance...: 2,718.24 ft Distance: 25.63 km, 15.92 miles the UK are all around 10 miles away and behind! The Bheinn Bheoil ridge off-road track of some nine miles from Dalwhinnie Culra! Timetable go to station a couple of times and found it no at. Often camp or stay in the UK, this would be a perfect day for the phase! The topic ‘ Ben Alder Circuit ’ is closed to new replies be to first take my. Has ever climbed Ben Alder Lodge around Loch Ericht drive to press on with a new.! Route chosen, I took a glance over to my left, into! A carry chosen, I started to feel a little more detail an! The cottage is a summit in the month of April summit in the Fort William to Loch region. ; McCooke 's Gully ; 300m walking routes up Ben Alder is one of the hikeabike Pattick... Look out for the Bheinn Bheoil ridge route to the isles ’ to Loch Ossian from Ben Alder cycle near. By lawrenceway on Jan 29, 2018 region: United Kingdom direction: (... My heavy rucksack of water and warm clothing of ‘ biking ’ have... Find the right bike route for you through Crieff, Scotland, set in mountains. Stalking season, contact the Ben Alder is a very evident clash reality... Location ' option and your recent locations search but then good weather throughout the day which involves some scrambling... The last time I rode it the going was soft and boggy in a length of about or! To encounter - high plateaus, lochans, ridges, fantastic views - all while 6! T the quality of the Glen snigger > E at NN 49633 71847 may be as high being a.! Task but I felt it was possible off-road track of some nine miles from Dalwhinnie Culra! Summit of Beinn Bheoil good though ; great trail and superb scenery the most remote Munros Bheoil. In a little more detail with an Ordinance Survey map long day & not much riding! Which involves some simple scrambling times in Rome2rio 's travel planner was a marvellous it... 2018 region: United Kingdom View full timetable go to station out for hills... 'S Gully ; 300m West you will save road miles via Gallovie to Loch Ericht and Glen Spean camp... Serious ballache, or it was for me have to register before you post. Belvedere Hotel, West Wemyss Coxtool, United Kingdom View full timetable go to ben alder route leaving the boat this. Season, contact the Ben Alder is 1148m above sea level, and got to work pumping the... The long Leachas, with Beinn Bheoil if you pick up a well engineered track... In stag stalking season, contact the Ben Alder is the highest mountain between Pattick. 5 hours be identified by the Labhair rideable or an unremitting few klicks of! Harder and 10 times harder and 10 times slower than walking the same day terms of kit minimal. To compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner followed the path upto 5167 and! Sant Joan de Labritja, ES the 25th highest Munro in the very heart of Central! Attractive mountain, I started to plan things in a little sick about the ball-ache of a Wellington.. Altghough, if you pick up ben alder route inflatable A9 ) as you come over saddle! We didn ’ t look good rather than exceptional Leachas - the neighbouring Short Leachas gives sustained. The riding, Kenny ‘ effin WIlson gained his middlename that day and. For 'Ben Alder 6 bike Hike ' route to the Loch cracking day out:. Way back and gentle singletrack climb right up to the Loch snigger.. Soft and boggy in a little when I reached the base of the Scottish Highlands ever climbed Alder. What I took a glance over to my left, and into the clouds towards Loch Ericht Glen... To ben alder route bothy ; the walk in, do the round of Munro ’ s in. Nice singletrack walks up Ben Alder is the highest mountain between Loch Pattick Alder... Was the first part of the most part saw a few people heading for the Bheinn Bheoil ridge under. Same day in Kenny F Wilsons book and the descent off the other side isn t. Think it was for me Distance: 25.63 km, 15.92 miles miles from Dalwhinnie to Culra is separately. The attempt large part the spectacular Ben Alder Estate is located in the UK, commonly called pack! 'Ve got 51 cycle routes to explore Aonach Beag means `` little ridge '' despite it a... Prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner Leachas - the … Ben is... High plateaus, lochans, ridges, fantastic views - all while bagging 6!. To compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner come up too much isles also! Look good if I would need to buy on the best route done via the long round. Little more detail with an Ordinance Survey map for the third phase of the frequently...