Mount Keen

LoUiS1985

anyone done it??

Planning on doing it in September and also Laggan Wolftrax. Looking at staying in Aboyne, anyone know anywhere good to stay there (if there is anywhere at all??)

Miggins

Rode it the other week. You can start at Glen Tanar (10 minutes from Aboyne) and just follow the river until the path takes you up Mount Keen. Once you've gone across the new foot-bridge (about 6 miles or so in), the path gets steep. Further up you can take the path to the right rather than straight up (see OS map). This takes you round the base and you can ride up to the top that way. It's less steep and is a good, prepared surface. If you stay on the original path it's much steeper, rockier and (for me, anyway) un-rideable.

That's the ride from the Glen Tanar end. I'm planning to do it from the south side sooner or later; from Glen Esk/Loch Lee. Much more picturesque but a bit of a drive down the A90 towards Fettercairn/Edzell/Glen Esk. Whichever way you go, have a great time. Also while you're down that way, drive on to Ballater and have a ride around Loch Muick (pronounced "Mick") and Lochnagar. Great scenic riding.

LoUiS1985

Ok many thanks for the info.

So do yuo know Aboyne at all, i wouldn't mind at least 1 decent pub for the night time

Miggins

A good place to eat and drink is the Boat Inn, right on the River Dee. See it here: http://www.theboatinnaboyne.co.uk/

I haven't stayed there but having been in there to eat a couple of times, I reckon it'd be a good place to stay.

Aboyne's a good place to base yourself as, although it's only small, it has all you need and is well placed for getting out into the hills for some good riding. If you need a bike shop while you're there, there's a good one in Ballater (10-11 miles further West down the A93 North Deeside Road) that caters very well for MTBers. They're friendly and very helpful and will give you advice on lots of routes in the area. Worth a visit: http://www.cyclehighlands.com/shop.htm

You'll have a great time riding in the area. I'm lucky enough to be living not too far away so get over to Ballater, Glen Tanar etc. quite frequently. My next ride will be from Loch Muick to Glen Cova via the Capel Road/ Capel Mounth, then following the river (NW) to Bachnagairn, up the hill and back to the loch via Corrie Chash. Type Loch Muick into Bing.com/maps and select the OS map under the "Road" drop-down on the top left of the map to see it.OS Explorer map 388 covers it, I think. This route is featured in this month's MBR magazine (page 79) and looks like it'll be a good 'un!

Wherever you end up riding have a great time.

namastebuzz

Yeah the Boat Inn is good. THere's a decent Indian in the Square and the Black Faced Sheep Cafe has excellent cakes (along a little from the centre towards Aberdeen).

Riding up Mount Keen from the Glentanar side is a bit of a slog but here's a good route

http://www.ecurieneep.co.uk/routes.asp?routeid=4

From Aboyne you can also ride the Fungle Path, going up and down into Birse Castle then looping back up/down.

Would recommend the Glen Muick / Glen Clova Loop too.

http://www.ecurieneep.co.uk/routes.asp?routeid=9

LoUiS1985

thanks a lot for your help guys, much appreciated