This is a classic ride in the West Scottish Highlands which can be tackled in either direction but is a one way route and a train journey is required to either get to the start or return from the end back to where you started. Before you attempt this route, make sure you know your route and the train times as this ride is in very remote country, well away from mobile phone networks.
Accommodation
Plenty in Fort William, one Hotel at Rannoch, Youth Hostel and Bunk House at Corrour.
Options
This ride depends entirely on the time of trains from Fort William to Rannoch.
The options are:
(1) start with the train journey from Fort William to Rannoch, and ride back from Rannoch, or
(2) ride from Rannoch to Fort William and get the train back.
Option 2 is the riskier - allow plenty of time for delays in order to ensure you make the train!
In the event of an injury, a mechanical or deteriorating weather, escape routes are as follows:
(1) Corrour station,
(2) Creaguaineach to towards Leanachan Forest and onward to A86/Roy Bridge/Spean Bridge (don't underestimate how tough this option is - it involves a lot of pushing up to the bothy at 282 736).
(3) If you find you've way behind schedule at Corrour Station but don't want to abandon the ride, you could continue around Loch Ossian and pick up the A86 at the western end of Loch Laggan via a good land-rover track through Strath Ossian . Turn left (west) along the A86 - from here there are train stations at Tulloch, Roy Bridge and Spean Bridge.
(4) Don't even think of using the track from Meanach to Glen Nevis - it doesn't exist on the ground, and would involve 3+ hours of carrying to Steall Meadow, plus a tricky clamber through the narrow (but spectacular) gorge at the end.
| Physical | Technical | Fun | Scenery | Singletrack | Rideability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **** | **** | *** | ***** | ** | *** |
For this ride you will need OS Landrangers 41 & 42
| Start Points | Grid Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rannoch Moor station | 423579 | ||
| Fort William station | 105743 | ||
| Total distance 65 km | Ride time 7 ½ - 9 ½ hours (including a couple of short stops) | ||
Terrain
11 km tarmac
43 km land-rover track
4 km singletrack
7 km no track / pushing!
I'll describe the bike ride, not the train journey!!
Rannoch Station - Corrour Station - Creaguaineach Lodge (Loch Treig) - Meanach (Bothy) - Mamore Lodge - West Highland Way.
The descent to Loch Ossian and Corrour
This section is 18 km and should take 1 ½ - 2 hours.
From Rannoch station, head east down the road to Kinloch Rannoch (there's only the one road, so this shouldn't present too many navigational problems!). After 2½ km, turn left onto the public footpath to Corrour. This good track climbs gently to a bridge - use the bridge to cross the burn and continue climbing. This grassy land-rover track climbs to a high point of 550m - the higher reaches are somewhat boggy but otherwise rideable, and highly entertaining. This track gives superb views over the moody Rannoch Moor. Keep to the main track past the old Corrour Lodge, then descend to the lochside after passing Peter's Rock (GR 394 669). The track improves at the Youth Hostel on Loch Ossian (371 671). Turn left and continue onto Corrour Station (café and bunkhouse, plus escape trains if it all goes Pete Tong!)
Crossing the Allt a' Chamabhreac
Corrour to Creaguaineach Lodge should take about 1 hour.
After fuelling up, cross the track and turn right, following the railway. Although boggy at first, this track soon improves to a superb, rocky land-rover track width descent. Beware the missing slats on the bridge over Allt a' Chamabhreac at 327 690 but otherwise enjoy the magnificent view over Loch Treig and the marvellous position of the disused Creaguaineach Lodge.
On to Luibeitt
Creaguaineach Lodge to Luibeilt will take approx 1 ½ - 2 hours.
Cross the bridge over Abhainn Rath at 309 689, take a break and enjoy the views and the wide open spaces, because the next section involves some hard work...
Make sure you're on the northern side of the burn and start pushing the bike upstream. Some of the next 5km is rideable in short sections between a myriad of stream crossings, but you'll probably resign yourself to a scenic push along eroded sheep tracks. A short section involves a definite carry as the river cuts through a minor gorge, after this the scenery opens out again. The going gets more boggy as you tramp across towards Meanach Bothy were you ford the river to Luibeilt - your feet will already be wet, so don't let the thought of a stream crossing worry you!
Luibeilt to Mamore Lodge
Luibeilt to Mamore Lodge will take approx 1 ½ - 2 hours.
Now mount your bikes again, and follow the land-rover track from Luibeilt and passed Loch Eilde Beag and Loch Eilde Mor. Stick to the main land-rover track (there are a couple of minor tracks which descend to the lochs) as it climbs over the col. Ignore the smaller track veering off to the left. Rest at the col and admire the superb view down Loch Leven and of the Pap of Glencoe. Now the real fun starts - the next 3 km will have you holding on for dear life as the fast track descends to Mamore Lodge. Beware an open, very fast 90º right hand bend - get it wrong on the loose stuff here and you'll roll a long way down hill before stopping! Another potential hazard is the wooden bridges the track crosses - these are very Bon Jovi (Slippery When Wet!). Continue to the wooden gate at the farm house, and follow the division around the house. Shortly, Mamore Lodge is passed (refreshments available or escape route to Kinlochleven) and the West Highland Way (WHW) is picked up.
Mamore Lodge to Fort William
Mamore Lodge to Fort William will take approx 2 - 2 ½ hours
After all that fun descending, it's payback time. Continue on the main track, passed some slattered wooden houses and a radio transmission aerial, climbing steeply at first, before easing off.
This good, stoney track undulates for 12 km in the valley behind the main Mamore ridge until forestry is reached. It then descends to join a minor road - at this junction you have two options -stay on the WHW (in the forestry) or use the minor road.
I haven't ridden this part of the WHW so can't vouch for it's rideability, although I understand it's very technical. If you follow this option, you'll eventually drop down into Glen Nevis - turn left and follow the tarmac road into Fort William (FW). At the roundabout, turn left into town, to NevisSport and proceed to the railway station.
If you follow the minor road, beware that there are several killer counter-climbs to get over before the final plummet into FW ( watch the 30mph speed limit! ). Once in FW, turn right at the roundabout (you can use the by-pass or the old, pedestrianised High Street) to get to the train station.
Last Updated 05-09-2000
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