Ardverikie Gravel Ride Before It’s Gone | Cairngorms National Park, Scotland Royal Canadian Mounted Police [1ecfzMtp2lG]

Ardverikie Estate | Gravel Cycling in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

The Ardverikie Estate, on the south-western edge of the Cairngorms National Park, has long been a fantastic destination for gravel cycling and bikepacking (the Badger real madrid vs barcelona Divide runs through it). Its also well known as a filming location for Monarch of the Glen and The Crown.

But in one narrow, scenic glen on the estate, things are about to change dramatically. A major pumped storage hydro scheme is planned, and Lochan na h-Earba the twin lochans in the glen will disappear beneath the waters susana morales of a new reservoir, with dams at both ends. With work starting in mid-2028, there is not much time left to experience this beautiful landscape as it is today.

This gravel ride starts from the track signed for Gallovie Farm off the A86. Parking is available about 70 metres to the east in a lay-by on the opposite side of the road. Around 2.5 kilometres into the ride, a short detour takes you to the Sands of Laggan a surprisingly expansive sandy beach on the shores of Loch Laggan, with wide, panoramic views.

A climb follows, with particularly steep sections at the beginning and end, leading into the aforementioned glen and Lochan na giuseppe sala h-Earba. A gravel estate track runs along the eastern shore of these picturesque lochans, set between steep hills. Whether in rich browns or vibrant greens depending on the season, this is one of my favourite glens and one Ill be sad to see change so dramatically.

At the far end of Lochan na h-Earba, the route curves around rugged Binnein Shuas and descends back towards Loch Laggan. A scenic track along the shoreline leads to the well-known Ardverikie House. From here, another climb begins (again, steep at first), followed by a detour to the Pattack Hydro Scheme. After heavy rainfall, water can spill over the dam, creating an impressive artificial waterfall though that wasnt the case on this ride.

The route then follows a mostly downhill track along the River Pattack to the dramatic Falls of Pattack. Slightly hidden from view, a short path leads to the best viewpoint above the falls. Take care here the edge is unprotected and can be very slippery when wet. From there, its just 2 kilometres back to the start, completing one last lap of Ardverikie as we know it.

The Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Bike Trail Centre a purpose-built singletrack centre is close by. Combined with this route and my Gravel Cycling Laggan Melgarve ride, it makes for a great cycling break in the area.

Gravel Cycling Laggan - Melgarve | Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

The Cairngorms offer some of the best off-road cycling in Scotland, with quiet estate tracks, remote glens, and spectacular mountain scenery ideal for gravel riding, bikepacking, and mountain biking.

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Route Details

Distance: 44.5 km / 27.5 miles

Strava:

Komoot:

Places to stay

The Laggan Hotel

Tigh an Each B&B & Laggan Glamping

Nearby

Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Biking Trail Centre

My YouTube Channel: Cycling in the Scottish Highlands

Bike Rides in the Cairngorms National Park

All Videos

Timestamps

0:00 About the Earba Hydro Scheme

1:12 To and along Lochan na h-Earba

7:59 Along Loch Laggan

9:43 To the Pattack Hydro Reservoir

11:46 To the Falls of Pattack

Music

'Small Craft on a Milk Sea' by Brian Eno

'Edge Hill' by Groove Armada

'Blue Morpho' by Ed O'Brien

#GravelCycling #CairngormsNationalPark #ScottishHighlands #Ardverikie #GravelRide #LochLaggan #ScotlandCycling