Coire Ardair MTB Descent - Creag Meagaidh National Nature Reserve
Distance: 3.7m / 5.9km
Profile: View
Grade: Moderate
Fitness: Good
Time: 2-3 Hours
OS MAP: 34 & 42
Route Data: GPX KML
Riders: Dave Banks, Brian Gray
Date: 15/10/2016
Summary
A single track with some rocky sections make this an exhilarating mountain bike descent through interesting scenery.
There are some steep climbs and occasional obstacles that will require you to get off the bike.
Details
Starting at the small car park take the road up towards the Nature Reserve information centre and toilets.
Take the footpath from the information centre and carry the bike up the steep stone steps to the viewpoint. From the viewpoint, take the path to Coire Ardair. The path starts of steep as it winds its way through heather, so it is easier to push the bikes up this section. It is only about 400 yards long, but it allows you to admire the view up towards Coire Ardair.
After you pass through some trees, the path levels out and you can now get on your bike. The path continues to gently climb for about a mile away from the valley floor, before dropping steeply towards the valley floor again. The track is rough with loose stones, but is rideable. On the return trip, it is easier to push the bike up this steep section due to lack of traction.
There are numerous stone water bars across the track that are easily manageable. There is one water crossing that will require you to get off the bike and carry it over the large stepping stone.
At this point the corrie isn't far now, as the path continues to gradually climb towards it away from the valley floor again. Once final short steep section of stone steps will require a bit of pushing, but the rest of the track to the corrie is easily manageable.
The views of the corrie make all the effort worthwhile, but the best bit is yet to come - the return journey. The descent is technical in places, and there are a few places where you have to get off the bike and push, which spoils the descent slightly, but after the climb away from the valley floor, the rest of the run is all downhill. Only water bars and hill walkers slow your progress. Once you reach the viewpoint, take the landrover track for a fast descent back to the car park.
Photo Gallery
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Creag Meagaidh car park |
View from viewpoint |
View from viewpoint |
Coire Adair marker post |
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Marker post and the route ahead |
Initial steep climb |
View from path |
Looking towards Coire Adair |
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Looking back |
Path ahead after leaving trees |
Looking towards Coire Adair |
Looking up the glen |
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Looking back |
Path continues to climb |
Coire Adair |
Undulating path |
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Looking back down the glen |
Looking back down the glen |
Approaching Coire Adair |
Stepping stone |
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Approaching Coire Adair |
Looking back |
Final climb |
Looking back |
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Admiring the view |
Final approach to Coire Adair |
Looking back down the glen |
Looking back down the glen |
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Shoe disaster |
Emergency shoe repairs |
Coire Adair |
Coire Adair |
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Coire Adair |
Video