I rode the loop a few years ago but seem to remember there was a thread about an alternative route to the very top section that was a better option. Anyone have any ideas or have I imagined it! And if someone has a gpx that would be great. Cheers

Hi Hux, I think there’s a bit that cuts from the inner loop after Ryvoan, across a river, then onto the outer?

When you say "very top section", do you mean the highest section over Bynack Barns? If so, Wotsits probably has it - don't turn right over Bynack, but continue past Ryvoan and down onto forest roads past Forest Lodge and the outer loop.
More likely I think, is that you've read about avoiding the climbs up to and beyond Fealar Lodge (between Braemar and Blair Atholl) - after you pass Linn of Dee/White Bridge/Red bothy and start down Glen Tilt, the 'proper' route crosses the Tilt and heads sort of south and east to Fealar Lodge. Much easier is don't cross the R Tilt and just continue down on it's NW (true right) bank to Blair Atholl. You basically stay north of Beinn a Ghlo, instead of heading around to the south of it.
You should be able to see last year's 'Group finish' route here: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/169475 ... re&type=2d
This also has more off road from Glen Feshie to Tomintoul, and takes a longer route around Meall an t'Slugain on the approach to Braemar.

This is the route I’ve done a couple of times, it’s the original ‘Tour of the Cairngorms’ route that was in Phil McVanes ‘Scotlands wild trails’ book from years ago (a few years before the Cairngorm loop became a thing):

https://www.komoot.com/tour/90880314

rudedog wrote: ↑Tue Aug 27, 2024 8:17 am This is the route I’ve done a couple of times, it’s the original ‘Tour of the Cairngorms’ route that was in Phil McVanes ‘Scotlands wild trails’ book from years ago (a few years before the Cairngorm loop became a thing):

https://www.komoot.com/tour/90880314

That route uses a fair chunk of unnecessary tarmac between Kincraig and Aviemore, then on to Glenmore. The newer off-road options are well worth trying.

Thanks guys. Looks like the original loop has been updated for 2024 and there is also a shorter 125mile version
https://www.cairngormsloop.net/cairngormsloop-map

In Deeside, the route now follows Glen Gairn all the way through to Glen Slugain, rather than climbing up and over the Bealach Dearg.

That's going *up* Phil's favourite trail! It's quite boggy in the lower section (with a potentially deep river crossing to start just below that fancy shooting lodge) and a bit of hike a bike to get to the ridge. Easy going after that down to the Beinn a Bhuird track and down Glen Slugain.

Oot and aboot just now but can bung you some gpxs of the tour route and the glen gairn link when I get home