Dalwhinnie to Culra bothy, Highlands

lifeonloop
lifeonloop Posts: 14
edited May 2011 in Routes
Hi, I`m a keen hillwalker as well as mountain biker and on some of the scottish 3000foot peaks (the munros) it is easier to bike into the bottom of the hils.

One such mountain is Ben Alder which is only accessable via a 12 mile ride to this remote mountain hut (bothy) It is pretty popular by all accounts with cyclists as well as walkers so my question is does the bothy have anywhere to chain your bike too? some hills do have some places ( there is a trail in the Arrochar Alps around loch lomond which has a steel bar at the end of the main track to chain bikes too) while others you just have to hide it or chain it to a tree.

Anyone been up that neck of the woods who could shed any light on that particular bothy.

Comments

  • covelove
    covelove Posts: 209
    been a while since i did that route but as i remember theree is another larger building up the track from the bothy where you could maybe put your bike. also the bridge about 1km from the bothy, you could chain a bike to it for the day, other than that i'm out of ideas!
    good luck with the midges!
    does my tail look hard in this?

    cove stiffee

    orange 222
  • lifeonloop
    lifeonloop Posts: 14
    I noticed there is a bridge but I`m wondering if chaining a bike there it might get might get in the way, but I didnt know about the other building, sounds promising. I`ve heard of people just chaining bikes together, removing seats, wheels etc so it would mean the bike had to be carried out if anyone was to steal it. I have never left a bike not chained to anything and my ride cost £700 so I`m wary of where I would leave it.
  • wheelygood
    wheelygood Posts: 101
    It is an easy cycle from Dalwhinne to Culra - Landrover track most of the way. Start behind the station and follow the track along Loch Ericht then up over the hill yowards Loch Pattack then swing up the glen to Culra. There is a lovely fun crosssing of a little suspension bridge - shoulder the bike and walk over - you can ride through the river if it is low but it is very sandy. There is a MBA bothy there which is available for anyone to use at this time of the year - please look after the place. We used it a couple of years ago - you can chain your bikes up there - it is then a lovely walk on great stalker's paths up to Ben Alder (recommend the ridge called the Long Leachas). You can easily take in Beinn Vhoil on the round too. If you are sleeping at the bothy you'll need to take sleeping bag and mat and cooking stuff. There are sleeping platforms. If you want a fire there is a fireplace/stove but no fuel nearby so will have to take your own in to be guaranteed. If you need any more info please ask.
    We often leave our bikes whilst we are out walking - just put them in the heather with a chain around them and they will be perfectly safe up there - no-one will bother them. Crime levels are very low in these remote areas! Just make sure there is a memeorable marker nearby so you can relocate them when you get back especially if it is misty!!!

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