BRIAN ON LINE
 
 
With the big Range Rover finally back from it’s sabbatical up in Birnam it was Dave’s turn to take the wheel and chauffeur us northwards to Aviemore and an assault through Gleann Einich towards our destination at Loch Einich. Parking once again at Inverdruie it was a gentle pedal out to Loch an Eilein via the picturesque Lilly Loch. We headed east from the car park to pick up the sign posted trail leading out to Gleann Einich and from there it was a case of following a fairly good track out to the Loch. Navigation is easy, there is one point where there is a choice of two paths, a low level and high level route - cyclists are required to keep to the low level, both paths eventually converge a little distance along the route. On the way there are a few burns to cross, some loose rocky sections to deal with and two river crossings. The first river crossing is easy as there is a bridge. The second at 2.6miles from the Loch involves getting your feet wet and wading across. The water was not that deep but the rocky river bed and cold water made for a tricky crossing,especially for those in bare feet. The loch itself is not that impressive, it is smaller than you would expect. What takes the effort worthwhile is the views of the imposing Sgoran Dubh Deag, Sgoran Dubh Mor & Sgor Gaoith rock outcrops which tower over the western side of the loch. After a spot of lunch by the water’s edge it was a case of re-tracing our steps for a fairly rapid return back to the Rothiemurchus forest where we picked up the trail to the Cairngorm Foot bridge, crossing the river we headed up to Picadilly, the point where the route to the Lairig Ghru joins the trail and from there we headed out to Loch Morlich. We didn’t go around the loch this time instead opting to head direct to the Ski Road from where we picked up the Old Logging Way and an easy descent back to Inverdruie. Once the bikes were stripped down it was a case of heading off back down the road after first visiting the Woodshed at Coylumbridge for the compulsory pint that all our efforts deserved For a more technical review of the trip, additional photographs and detailed GPS route files visit...... www.davebanks.scot/route_3.htmhttp://www.davebanks.scot/route_3.htmshapeimage_2_link_0
Gleann EINICH TO LOCH EINICH - mtb tRIP 29TH JUNE 2013
 
The Route
Route Profile