Cairngorms Gold — Discovering the national park

Mountain Biking Collection by Scotty Laughland

Tours

18:08 h

119 mi

17,550 ft

The Cairngorms contain my definition of trail gold, and this year with travel restrictions limiting global travel I set out my way to explore more of Scotland. The Cairngorms mountain range and national park has been my go-to for day and multi-day adventures.

I've discovered some brilliant singletrack that flows incredibly well, especially after a long ride in and/or hike- a-bike.

What's incredible about this Collection is that with a little knowledge of the mountains you can see the other paths you've taken. As you'll see these are best savoured for drier summer days where you can take in the extent of how beautiful the area really is.

There's a few summiting rides in this Collection, including the pretty accessible Sgòr Gaoith, the striking rocky outcrops of Beinn a'Bhuird, and the magnificent Ben Macdui, Scotland's second highest peak. If multi-day rides are your bag, check out my overnighter from Braemar to Aviemore and back for a real Cairngorms epic with bothies and river crossings en route too!

On The Map

Tours

Sgòr Gaoith, a really accessible Munro and a brilliant descent — Cairngorms Gold
02:41
17.2 mi
6.4 mph
3,200 ft
3,225 ft
This was a route I'd wanted to tick off for quite some time but for various reasons I'd sidelined and thought it was going to have to be abandoned for better weather. I'd seen the pictures of the summit and just knew it was one for a clear day.

Leaving the car park it was a chilly -2 degrees (perhaps…
by Scotty Laughland
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Beinn a'Bhuird, a MUST ride Munro! — Cairngorms Gold
03:32
23.0 mi
6.5 mph
3,650 ft
3,675 ft
This is one epic ride! Starting out in Braemar, you leave civilisation behind and start to feel like you're in the wild. After pedalling through the heather on nice graded paths, you soon leave these for more arduous terrain where you have to hike-a-bike.

You ascend quickly, although there are a few steeper…
by Scotty Laughland
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A Cairngorms epic, summiting Ben Macdui, the UK's 2nd highest peak — Cairngorms Gold
02:55
12.2 mi
4.2 mph
3,750 ft
3,675 ft
Cracking day out on the bike, made better by how glorious the weather was. Upon arrival we were greeted by blue skies and a cloud inversion.

The trails here are great if you're into technical riding and a bit of hike-a-bike, taking in Scotland's second highest peak and on a clear day you have a great…
by Scotty Laughland
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Braemar to Aviemore (day 1) — Cairngorms Gold
04:33
33.4 mi
7.3 mph
2,675 ft
3,125 ft
This was a day 1 of a two day trip I'd wanted to tick off for a while. Starting out in Braemar we headed to Aviemore through the Cairngorms National Park. The plan was simple, do it over two days and make the most of riding some High Alpine-style terrain.

A rolling start from Braemar could fool you into…
by Scotty Laughland
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Aviemore to Braemar (day 2) — Cairngorms Gold
04:27
32.8 mi
7.4 mph
4,275 ft
3,850 ft
Day 2, riding from Aviemore back to Braemar. We were blessed with the weather, it was chilly and a light frost kissed the ground and the air was cold. I left Aviemore and started heading up to Cairn Gorm Mountain. Riding along the flowing logging trail towards Glenmore Lodge, past Loch Morlich, the…
by Scotty Laughland
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