Gravel Cycling Laggan - Melgarve | Cairngorms National Park, Scotland Sonia Citron [RwXhjtxPpfw]

Laggan - Melgarve | Gravel Cycling in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

I was already familiar with the very scenic Laggan to Melgarve part of this bike ride, the high and wide strath of the upper River Spey which goes on to the Corrieyairack Pass. But on this occasion I added some great gravel sections I hadn't ridden before.

Starting from Laggan, a single-track tarmac road takes you along the live score Spey Dam Reservoir. Just past the reservoir it's time for the first outstanding detour. A track is taken that goes through Glenshero Estate and its deer park, and into Glen Shirra towards Kinloch Laggan. This is part of the Badger Divide bikepacking route. After having enjoyed great views of Loch Laggan, surrounded by the Ardverikie Forest and the mountains behind it, it's time to head back the same way you got paddy pimblett here.

Once back on the General Wade's Military road you cycle onwards to Garva Bridge, and then onto Melgarve Bothy and bridge. Just before the tarmac road ends and you get to the bothy, you could visit Melgarve East Bridge first. This bridge is tucked away in woodland behind the remains of an ansel elgort old sheepfold, it's worth the short walk.

From Melgarve Bothy another beautiful detour is made to Shesgnan Cottage on the Soft Road for the Hoggs, a historic droving route, and back. Once back at the bothy it's time to head over to the gravel road which was laid for the Melgarve Substation, one of the highest transmission substations in the UK. It's mostly a hike-a-bike over wet ground to the gravel track higher up. It's not too far, but if you don't fancy it, there's a shorter dirt track which will get you on this track about 3 km back down the road.

Please be aware that on the first downhill section, before the climb up to the substation, the gravel is loose and chunky and hasn't really been bedded down; best to take it easy on this section. After that it's a lovely hard packed sand road surrounded by the Monadhliath Mountains all the way back to the Spey Dam.

Once back at the start you could finish a great day with coffee and cake at the Laggan Coffee Bothy & Gallery.

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

Ardverikie Gravel Ride Before Its Gone | Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

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Route Details

Unfortunately I managed to delete the GPX on my Garmin, but there is a GPX file of the planned route on Komoot and on Garmin Connect.

Distance: 50 km / 31 miles

Garmin Connect:

Komoot:

Caf Stop

Laggan Coffee Bothy & Gallery

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 Laggan to Glenshero Estate

1:44 Glenshero Estate and Glen Shirra

3:16 Onto Melgarve Bothy

5:25 The Soft Road for the Hoggs

8:32 The gravel road back to the start

Music

'Seeland' by NEU!

'Toxic Girl' by Kings of Convenience

'Hope Is The Last Thing To Die' by David Holmes

#GravelCycling #CairngormsNationalPark #ScottishHighlands #Melgarve #RiverSpey #GravelRide #gravelroute