I took about 2 hours to go out and 90 minutes to come back. That was to go all the way to Culra bothy, which is easy to reach without having to resort to serious mountain biking. I'm not really sure why there was so much difference in the times, even allowing for going up on the way out and down on the return!
The track is a firm smoothish unbound stone surface all the way to Loch Pattack and possibly beyond, although I didn't go that far.
- Typical section of Lochside road
From Dalwhinnie to Ben Alder Lodge, the track follows the loch. It is generally fairly flat or on gentle gradients, although there are one or two quite pronounced hills on the way. There were a few cars and trade vans on the road, associated with Ben Alder Estate. From BA Lodge to the turn-off point, it is mainly a long, slow uphill incline. The turn-off point was marked by a feeding point:
- This is where the path heads off to Culra
The uphill section seemed to go on forever on the way out, but what a boost it gave to freewheel down on the trip home!
Across the moorland to Culra, the surface was mainly a very narrow track of stone (careful!), although there were one or two places where I suspect it could be stickier after wet weather.
- Typical view of narrow track across moorland
- It's actually hard to miss the track to the bridge near Culra!
- The new bridge
Bear in mind that, if you are planning to ascend some of the mountains around Culra, you'll need to keep some energy in the tank for the return trip
- From Sron Coire na h'Iolaire - it's an awful long way back to Dalwhinnie!
) and came down with a horrendous cold so had to bail on Alder & Bheoil and finally in October last year where I had a glorious day on these two hills. First time I went over the rickety bridge by Loch Pattack. The single track branch off at the feeder is infinitely easier.
