Cairngorms Gravel Loop - Ballater, Balmoral & Loch Muick. Gravel Rides Scotland Route 17.

[@andyslater5248]

Stunning scenery, one on the to do list!

[@deansockalingum5871]

Great video thanks for sharing this wonderful route

[@glenlittlejohn2412]

Great stuff - this was a classic MTB route back in the days of fully rigid or (if you were posh) 80mm elastomer forks. Don't be tempted to do a circuit of the loch with a bike though - it's o'er rough. A great option is up the very steep 'strike o' lightning' landy track up to the high ground at the pony hut on the bealach between Glen Muick & Glen Clova - the views of the Mounth Munros and the glittering skellies in the other direction are immense. Ed Shoote's book has but a wee flavour of the rideable terrain in Deeside and North/Northwest Aberdeenshire - book a trip, come & explore.

[@TwistyTrails]

Cheers Glen. Yes, my route on Loch Muick was a there-n-back to the hunting lodge. Well worth it for a bit of history and the lush forest around the lodge. 👍

[@daveblogs5019]

Hi From Northern Ireland. We just discovered your Channel.. and wow glad we did..love your style and Love the Cairngorms. Have only ridden a bit in the Cairngorm area from Linn of Dee .but we hope to explore more thanks to your great vids 👍👍

[@TwistyTrails]

Hi Dave - thanks for your positive feedback - much appreciated. Hopefully the vids will inspire more adventures for you when next over the water. I have another being published today, so be sure to subscribe to ensure you don't miss out! Cheers

[@daveblogs5019]

@@TwistyTrails oh yes sub.d 👍👍

[@davidcowan5650]

Lovely route great pictures

[@TwistyTrails]

Thanks David. Yep, it’s a stunner! 👍

[@grahamhaines9931]

Cycled most of this circuit last year whilst staying at Ballater, and it didn’t disappoint. The ride up Glen Muick on the right side of the river is really enjoyable. Thanks for sharing.

[@TwistyTrails]

Hi Graham - yes, there’s some epic trails there and glad you enjoyed my record of my trip. 👍

[@IsaacS1]

I've ridden this, an excellent route! And you're getting pretty good at this KZbin content stuff, excellent work ❤

[@TwistyTrails]

Steady on Isaac, I’m starting to blush! 😀. However, although I really enjoy creating the content, it is quite time consuming, so your appreciation is gratefully received. Thanks.

[@andymelville7807]

Thanks for sharing, great video as ever 👏

[@TwistyTrails]

Thanks Andy. Glad you enjoyed.👍

[@PiquePictures]

I’m loving your videos! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@TwistyTrails]

Thanks again. Editing another at the moment and should be available later this week. 😀

[@johnoneil4857]

Enjoyed the vid. Was there a couple of weeks ago and did some of Ed Shoote's routes but not this one. Can't wait to go back.

[@TwistyTrails]

Nice one John. Yep, well worth going back for. 👍

[@Mudwaar]

Excellent.

[@TwistyTrails]

Thanks Allan, glad you enjoyed.

[@taito65]

Great effort

[@TwistyTrails]

Thank you.

[@gwynwrex]

Great video

[@TwistyTrails]

Thank you.

[@SwampyDuckRidesAgain3636]

One of the routes I’ve fancied doing but not sure if I’ll be able to get my bike over that gate :( Thought these were supposed to be left for access and it’s not the only one.

[@TwistyTrails]

Yes, it’s disappointing that there’s a locked gate there. If you have a heavily-laden bike or an E bike, it will be difficult to lift it over the fence.

[@SwampyDuckRidesAgain3636]

@@TwistyTrails yes all these gates should be getting reported to the access officer for that area

[@colinhodgson785]

Do you have a komoot account or such where i can see routes.. Thanks

[@boblim1549]

Impressive camera work. Using just the insta 360 or is there some drone footage ?

[@TwistyTrails]

Thank you. In addition to the 360 cam, I also use a go pro and drone & sometimes bring out my DSLR.

[@Tazfiend]

One question - why didn't you circumnavigate Loch Muick? Is there a bad section?

[@TwistyTrails]

I don’t believe it’s doable on a gravel bike without significant hike-a-bike.

[@Tazfiend]

@@TwistyTrails ah. Okay, thanks for that. 👍

[@bobwightman1054]

My wife and I rode the track on the opposite side to Glas Allt Shiel on rigid MTB, we're not that technically competent but I'd say there was less than 200m of hike-a-bike plus about the same again of 50:50 depending if you caught a rock or whatever. Looking at your video of the track beside the River Findhorn I don't remember it being any harder but it's rockier. We also did the rocky descent as a climb with loaded bikepacking setup and there was just that rocky section in the video that we didn't ride.