Kintyre

ed_is_dead

Hi

I was hoping someone could give a bit of advice about mountain biking in Kintyre.

Meant to be meeting some friends for a camping holiday in Kintyre, my plan was to take my bike, couple days hill walking in Arran, and then get the ferry from Lochranza to Claonaig. I've looked at the OS map and it looks like I could just cut straight across the range of hills from Claonaig to Clachan (following the Kintyre way) - has anyone done this and is it possible to cycle (looking at the Kintyre way website it says part of this route is pretty boggy). Also what is the MTB'ing like in general around Kintyre?

Cheers in advance

RichMTB

There are way marked trails starting at Lochgilphead and plenty of riding on Arran itself but I don't know any trails on Kintyre.

I guess an OS map is probably the best way to start exploring

smithersjones

try www.campbeltown.com hit links then kintyre forum theres plenty of locals on the sport bit of the forum who should help. hope this helps

woodywmb

Kintyre is damp mostly but I've never done this route. It is 10 mles long and is basically an up-an-over, climbing 700ft in the first four and a half miles and dropping 670ft thereafter in a lesser decline over five and a half miles. Claonaig is 33ft above sea level and Clachan is 66ft. Make sure you have OS map and compass - the Explorer one shows the Kintyre Way while the Landranger doesn't. The start is on road and follows the edge of the forest. The end is on forest doubletrack. It's the two miles of moorland in between you have to be concerned about. There are no landmarks shown on the map but there is sure to be a post or two if the route is used by walkers. The difficulty here is that it climbs 300ft and the terrain is littered with veiny burns and lochans - which usually spell SealSkinz country. If it can be walked it can be mountain biked even if you have to carry for some of the way. Also, at the end, near Clachan there is a well defined forest track in addition to the Kintyre Way. Follow whichever looks best - it's all downhill at this stage. Best of luck.