Glen Finglas.
Another ride I did last year. http://www.Trailscotland.co.uk check out Trail Scotland for a growing database of Scottish trails.
The route begins at the Woodland Trust Car Park just East of Brig O' Turk. More generally its a few miles from Callander. Its a steep climb immediately from the CP over the river and up through the trees. Its gravelly but rideable with skill although very tough especially if you haven't warmed your legs up.
The trail turns off to the left and wiggles along the side of the hill until it meets a tarmac road. Going right you will come to a gate, go through and follow the tarmac. The first of many stunning views of Glen Finglas Resevoir opens infront of you on this easy part of the route.
The tarmac gives way to a fairly well surfaced 4x4 track which undulates along and away from the side of the resevoir. Eventually you will come to a fork in the track, follow it to the right where you see the Hill Path to Balquidder sign which looks like this...
The track then climbs and falls up Glen Meann, its a nice piece of riding when done at speed. After a fair bit of these ups and down you will need to take a right at a junction, keeping the wire fence on your left hand side. This is a steep and gravelly climb, probably rideable but really very steep, give it a go, you'll earn a great view. Near the top of the climb you will come to a sign post for Balquidder pointing off to the right but stick to the track off and up to the left. You are rewarded with this as you turn to look to where you have come.
Follow the track around the corner and spot the line cutting its way across the side of the hill in the distance, that line is your route. It looks like a decent gradient, its brutal but keep your head down and your legs spinning and its easily *cough* done.
After this climb you will find a small cairn signifying the peak of the route at around 2000ft, take a break and some photos. It give a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and there is a real sense of wilderness as there is nothing for miles but rolling hills.
You have now done enough to recieve the descent you deserve. Probably best to drop your saddle. Its a swooping downhill with a reletively steep gradient. Rocks litter the trail and it certainly keep you on your toes. I would suggest you stop and take in the view half way down and mere mortals will be suffering from arm pump anyway. Look back up the valley to the resevoir again.
At the bottom of the descent you have to cross a river. When its been dry the river can be blasted through but there is a bridge option of those who dont want to get wet when its not raining. Its then a case of following the track until you rejoin the route past the resevoir back towards the car park. Take the tarmac all the way back down to the main road and along to the CP. Another photo opportunity from the tarmac road.
In terms of difficulty i'd say its a blue route for techinicality but a black for effort. When I did this route I wasnt particularly fit but its going to be hard for all but the fittest XC whippets.
Not sure how long it took either perhaps between 3-4 hours, with stops.
I would recommend it to everyone really, its good to push yourself and you get all the rewards you could want from a ride. Its fairly central but has a real big country wilderness feel, stunning views and of course, highland coos.
The route begins at the Woodland Trust Car Park just East of Brig O' Turk. More generally its a few miles from Callander. Its a steep climb immediately from the CP over the river and up through the trees. Its gravelly but rideable with skill although very tough especially if you haven't warmed your legs up.
The trail turns off to the left and wiggles along the side of the hill until it meets a tarmac road. Going right you will come to a gate, go through and follow the tarmac. The first of many stunning views of Glen Finglas Resevoir opens infront of you on this easy part of the route.
The tarmac gives way to a fairly well surfaced 4x4 track which undulates along and away from the side of the resevoir. Eventually you will come to a fork in the track, follow it to the right where you see the Hill Path to Balquidder sign which looks like this...
The track then climbs and falls up Glen Meann, its a nice piece of riding when done at speed. After a fair bit of these ups and down you will need to take a right at a junction, keeping the wire fence on your left hand side. This is a steep and gravelly climb, probably rideable but really very steep, give it a go, you'll earn a great view. Near the top of the climb you will come to a sign post for Balquidder pointing off to the right but stick to the track off and up to the left. You are rewarded with this as you turn to look to where you have come.
Follow the track around the corner and spot the line cutting its way across the side of the hill in the distance, that line is your route. It looks like a decent gradient, its brutal but keep your head down and your legs spinning and its easily *cough* done.
After this climb you will find a small cairn signifying the peak of the route at around 2000ft, take a break and some photos. It give a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and there is a real sense of wilderness as there is nothing for miles but rolling hills.
You have now done enough to recieve the descent you deserve. Probably best to drop your saddle. Its a swooping downhill with a reletively steep gradient. Rocks litter the trail and it certainly keep you on your toes. I would suggest you stop and take in the view half way down and mere mortals will be suffering from arm pump anyway. Look back up the valley to the resevoir again.
At the bottom of the descent you have to cross a river. When its been dry the river can be blasted through but there is a bridge option of those who dont want to get wet when its not raining. Its then a case of following the track until you rejoin the route past the resevoir back towards the car park. Take the tarmac all the way back down to the main road and along to the CP. Another photo opportunity from the tarmac road.
In terms of difficulty i'd say its a blue route for techinicality but a black for effort. When I did this route I wasnt particularly fit but its going to be hard for all but the fittest XC whippets.
Not sure how long it took either perhaps between 3-4 hours, with stops.
I would recommend it to everyone really, its good to push yourself and you get all the rewards you could want from a ride. Its fairly central but has a real big country wilderness feel, stunning views and of course, highland coos.
0
Comments
-
Looks fantastic! I've been wondering about that route for a while and now it's definitely on my to-do list this summer. Thanks!0
-
I did this route last September. I agree it's not a particularly technical route, but you certainly need a good level of fitness - it's a good test of endurance.
Fabulous views, but remember that you do climb fairly high and it's quite exposed so weather can change quite quickly - so don't forget to pack an extra layer of clothing.0 -
Well done on a producing a good route guide. I've done Glen Finglas a few times. It is hard work - three hours up and three minutes down! One good point is that you can't get lost. The route is circular and you steer clear of the Balquidder track (although this can be cycled with difficulty but it's not enjoyable). As someone said, watch the weather. It can be sunny at the bottom and thick with snow on the far side. We once couldn't see two feet in front of us because of fog which was worrying when you're on the trail for the first time and don't know what's coming up. Here's the profile: (Can someone tell me how to insert images in to a post?)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodyydoow ... otostream/0 -
Did this in the pouring rain in November. A tough slog, but very rewarding. Apparantly the views are superb, but I did not see any! Did it anti clockwise, but will do it clockwise next time."Encyclopaedia is a fetish for very small bicycles"0
-
