Detours off the Cairngorms loop

[HopeValleyPaul]

As above really. I'm touring the CL over 4 days in 2 weeks time. Can anyone recommend any interesting or worthwhile detours. Looking to add about 100k while still finishing at Blair Atholl.

Cheers

Paul.

[Justchris]

At braemar detour off and either hike or ride lochnigar, you can also take in balater castle as long as there are no royalty staying.

You can also detour and do a bit of Wiskey sampling along the spay. Take your pick for a distillery.

Or after the inner loop you have aviemore. There is always something going on there.

Depends what you like doing.

[HopeValleyPaul]

Cheers Chris.

Will have a look at those. I'm aiming to avoid people, eat good pub food occasionally and avoid people whilst riding at a leisurely pace.

[fatbikephil]

Glen Gairn - nicest bit of nadgery single track in the area. Runs east west north of the Deeside valley, access via Glen quoich and a bit of trail not marked on the map.

[Justchris]

Or you could complete the CL asap, and then have a few days in Perthshire, either doing tourist things or head to Dunkeld or the tay forrest for some trail riding. Or an easy but pleasent spin out to bridge of gaur, for a spot of wild camping. Don't know your fitness or experience levels but the CL can be easy looking on paper,but fairly arduous when the conditions are poor.

[boxelder]

Lots of off road alternatives to some of the road to Tomintoul. Burma Rd from Aviemore?

[adamwwallace]

Some nice riding between Ballater and Braemar - lots of firetrack in Ballochbuie to Balmoral, round Loch Muick, good singletrack - Green mile etc. A few bothies in the area too. Also some good single track descending the top end of Glen Quioch, Gleann an-t Slugainn, Clais Fhearnaig between the Qouich and Lui.