gartmore stirling

bobpzero

had a look around the internets for a map of fort william tho only found bits and pieces. so if theres any trails/xc fort william map(s) somewhere, what you think i should be looking for, that would be great help.
i hope to be there any day between 17th & 24th July 2010.

nonnac85

Look on my website (in my sig) and you'll find a link to some maps. The map link can be a bit slow to load so just give it a couple of minutes.

Northwind

That's a slightly older map... The newer one (you've probably already seen it) is here:

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/WITCHSTR ... EFINAL.pdf

It's not very good though. But, it does have the route changes and the fire-roads. Which is surprisingly useful as both the XC routes have tons of fire road in them, you might find you can plan a better route for yourself.

Fort William's great to ride at but their mapping and waymarking is absolutely piss poor. Loads of unmarked junctions where you just have to guess which way to go, one point where there's 2 signs pointing in completely the opposite direction for the same route... And no real trailheads, it was pure luck I found the 10 Under the Ben course. Real shame. It's not like waymarking is a science.

Obviously it's a bit early for this, but the marked 10 Under course is absolutely pish in places. The part between the nevis range and auction place car parks is ace, and the stretch up to the military road was OK if I recall rightly, and Nessie is very cool, but other than that it's a mighty fire-road bash. So, ride the good bits, ignore most of the eastern half, as it's really not worth the hassle. Especially not when you've got the good bits of the Witch's Trails to ride.

Actually, quite a lot of the Witch's Trails are dull too. There's actual fire road descending :P But, the good bits are absolutely mint. I didn't try this but I suspect that if you just ignore the eastern end, and instead start at the North Face and climb up the fire roads to the High Road, you get all the excellent descents without the joyless mile bashing. though it'll be a fairly nasty climb.

I'm told there's loads of good trails that aren't on the map, it certainly looks it- lots of tempting dark trailheads- but I didn't have time to explore. Will do next time though.

bobpzero

sorry had another question, found out i wasnt really going to make it over to fort william, still i have a os explorer map of it when i can go there.
im going to be at gartmore house in Gartmore, Stirling. so anyone near that area who knows some xc trails worth riding, would be greatness.

clwydian_rider92

I was reading WMB magazime the other day. It had some small localised map for some routes around fort william. I'll report back for which month is was in, persuming youve got the mag.

Northwind

Ah, that was the issue that came out at the end of August. I remember it well, I arrived home from Fort William and found a handy guide to Fort William had been delivered while I was away

bobpzero

no i dont have that wmb magazine. checking ebay for it .Gartmore, Stirling in July anyone?

Northwind

I don't know that area, but, that's near Carron Valley isn't it?

the article don

Yes, very near Carron Valley and also near this route which is quite an epic xc adventure

http://www.mtbroutessws.com/GlenAmple.html

Paulie W

Glen Ample is a lovely, scenic ride but is doesnt quite reach 'epic' proportions - about half the route shown is on road or very well graded paths. I dont really remember there being anything technical anywhere on the descents.