3 Cycle Routes near Inverness
What follows are some details of some sweet cycle routes I have found on the outskirts of Inverness in the last week. All the routes are primarily suited to road bikes and touring bikes although mountain bikes could no doubt handle it.
Route 1 – Around Cawdor
Starts with a cruise around the roads from Culloden battlefield and off along a little detour along some minor roads through some nice forest.
Then across the Nairn valley. A nice descent down and a nice climb up the other side. Straight across the crossroads then round the circuit. These roads are all quiet and ex military apparently. Built after the Battle of Culloden to keep the local residents in order.
A chilled circuit which takes you back to the Nairn valley. Then across the Nairn valley and back to the Culloden Battlefield.
Route 2 – Culloden Battlefield to White Bridge (p2p)
This is a point to point route which took me about 2hr 10min with a couple of stops. The route is undulating with not any big ascents or descents. It passes a few lochs and is very scenic. Mostly on single track roads.
Cant really say anything more about it other than its possible to extend easily and a great extension would be to go all the way to Fort Augustus.
There is a top hotel in White Bridge. You could stop there for a pint, or five.
Route 3 – Garbole Hill Climb
Culloden Battlefield – Farr – Garbole – Tomatin – Moy – Auchnahillin – Daviot – Culloden Battlefield
This is another cycle in the 2.5 hour margin if done relatively hard with minor stops only. The highlight of the cycle is definitely the climb up the garbole road past Farr Loch and the phat descent down the other side. It is recommended that you have good beats in your ears for the descent so you go even faster.
Watch out for the road surface on the descent as the road is ageing.
There used to be a little chef in Tomatin but unfortunately this is now closed so you must take food with you! You could extend this route by cycling round Loch Duntelchaig before attempting the Garbole road.