Deeside Trail : Braemar to Ballater
Taking the long way round, a 7 hour MTB epic ride taking in Glen Gairn
I never learn….
When planning this route I adopted my normal approach. Thinking about the memories that would be created, and the sense of accomplishment when route completed route always out weigh the stark realities of what I would actually have to encounter.
And so it was. Around 90 minutes into this route we are faced with almost 3 hours of hike-a-bike interspersed with brief moments of respite on the saddle. However, the setting for this physical trauma was absolutely breathtaking, and we were blessed with clear blue skies and 21 degrees celsius.
This ride starts off with an easy 12km or so, spinning alongside the River Dee, surrounded by perfect vistas. The route gradually starts to head north, leaving the burbling Dee behind, and begins to accumulate metres of ascent. And then the fun begins….
As the route swings North East you are faced with a stiff GOAP section where you gain 100m in around 0.5km. Its tough on the shoulders and thighs as the terrain requires brute force (wo)man pushing the bike over rocks, and roots. But then you crest this short section of pain, the Clais Fhearnaig pass spans out before you, and the world is good.
The experiences of the next 2.5 hours vary wildy from sheer awe at our surroundings, to cursed frustration at the slow going and relentless on/off bike rhythym.
Around 4 hours into the ride we peak out at around 670m, with Ben Avon directly north of us. And from here on, its down hill for the next 35km !
You always expect payback , and boy did we get it on this ride. We never strayed far from the River Gairn. Hunting lodges, mean lots of landrover tracks, cutting through the otherwise impassable terrain. These made for easy and fast progress, but we were still in the realms of remote, wild Cairngorms.
Eventually we pick up some tarmac on the B976 a few Kms north east of Balmoral. And it’s a fast blast on the road back to Ballater, but with our journey’s friend the River Gairn always by our side.
Summary : Very remote in places, so make sure you have all you need to be self-sufficient. The terrain is technical in places meaning the odd tumble is not unusual. This is very much a route for an MTB.
Accomodation
Braemar : Braemer Lodge Log Cabins
Ballater : Ballater Hostel