Inverness trails....help me choose??!!

LoUiS1985

Hi all,

I Will be going up to Inverness next week and fill be able to fit a day of riding in.
I Would like to know which ride/trail to do.
The ride must meet this criteria:

must be close by (within 15miles(ish))
must be easy to navigate around, as i'm on my own and don't know the area well.
must be a loop
should be about 15-20 miles long, as i i'm pretty fit and want to be finished before dark!

Have been looking at Learnie trails and Abriachan but they all seem a bit short.

Anyways hope you can help me out :? :shock:

Foll Zofalot

To be honest I have never found that much close by Inverness. You could try Dunain Hill to the south west of the city, it has a transmitter on the top and it's very obvious. There are a few trails around about and is easily within cycling distance of the city centre.
I have heard that there are some trails on the Black Isle too next to the Kessock Bridge but ain't tried any of them myself. You would be much better checking out Laggan Wolftrax or The Highland Wildcat at Golspie, both are a fair bit out the way for you though.

-spider-

The 15 miles radius you suggest limits your choices a bit but -

Learnie on the Black Isle is a great area to play around. Many good trails of all standards - some great Black runs and a fine Red that takes you back to the car park at the end of the day. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6NZE9W

Culbin Forest, not far from Nairn, has many routes but is a bit flat (mostly on ancient sand dunes). http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/CULBINWE ... educed.pdf

The Strathpeffer area is very good - contact Steve at Square Wheels for advice - the guy is a font of knowledge on Highland mountain biking. http://www.squarewheels.biz/ (His web sire has a bit on local routes - http://www.squarewheels.biz/index.asp?pageid=129889) Try the route for the 'Strathpuffer' 24 hr, mid winter thrash for the seriously insane.

CFS

Learnie is worth going to.

You can always go round more than once, in fact you would probably want to do the Red and Blue descents more than once. The Red becomes more fun the more you get to know it and the Callachy Blue just flows nicely. The Firthview blue has an excellent view.

The little Green section is even worth a couple of trips.

The Black stuff is proper Black... beware ....especially in the wet. It has never been dry when I have been there!

Laggan and Golspie are better overall but are around 50 miles from Inverness.