Autumn is a particularly good time for cycling in the Cairngorms. The summer crowds have eased, the colours are beginning to change and, for much of September and October, there is still plenty of daylight for a good day out on two wheels.
Cycling the Cairngorms from Fraoch Lodge
We are reminded of this at the moment as we have the Callander Meanderers cycling group staying with us at Fraoch Lodge. Most of the group are riding e-bikes, and they have been making the most of the area, with rides taking them through Glen Tromie and Glen Feshie, from Boat of Garten to Grantown via Nethy Bridge and Loch Garten, and up towards Cairngorm. They’ve even combined a cycle ride with a trip on the funicular railway.
Why e-bikes work well here
An e-bike can be a particularly useful way of exploring the Cairngorms. There are plenty of quiet roads and forest tracks, but the hills can make some of the distances more demanding than they initially appear. Electric assistance means you can take on a longer ride, climb a little higher or simply enjoy the scenery without worrying quite so much about how much energy you have left for the return journey.
Something for every kind of cyclist
There is plenty of choice for different types of cyclist too. For longer scenic rides, the roads and tracks around Glen Feshie, Glen Tromie, Nethy Bridge and Loch Garten offer very different landscapes.
If you prefer riding off-road, there are purpose-built trail centres at Glenlivet, Tarland (NB Tarland has 2 sites. The majority of the longer trails are at one site while the other is more of a practice centre and when we went there, much quieter) and Laggan Wolftrax, as well as the hand-dug trails at High Burnside.
Combine cycling with other activities
You don’t necessarily need to choose between cycling and other activities. A ride towards Cairngorm followed by the funicular or the Strathspey Steam Railway are examples of how you can combine cycling with exploring the mountains without having to spend the whole day on foot. Ember buses also transport bikes which makes it easier to do linear routes too.
Make the most of the autumn
If you’ve been thinking about a cycling break in the Cairngorms, now is a good time to come. There are still plenty of hours of daylight for a proper ride, but the days are shortening noticeably and will shorten again when the clocks change at the end of October.
So bring your bike — or hire one locally — and make the most of the autumn while you can. We can help you work out a route to suit the weather, your bikes and how energetic you’re feeling on the day.
