Bike and Hike in Glen Ey
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2018 3:08 pmWith Saturday forecast for sun across much of the country I was a bit spoiled for choice as for where to go. With my usual walking companions unable to join me I was eager to make good use of the bike for those tricky hard to reach munros.
It was a toss up between Glenfinnan and Glen Ey for a bike and hike. I had my eye on tickling off Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm with the views into Knoydart being a big draw. I settled for Glen Ey in the end as the summits in the west had a forecast of snow and didnt want to risk poorer visibility and colder temperature!
Set off at 7am from Greenock with the bike stuck to the back of the car - only the 3rd time I've used the bike carrier - and headed towards Braemar. Arrived at the small settlement of Inverey at 9:45 and quickly set up and was on the track by 10am.
Looking out at the Forrest of Mar and Linn of Dee before heading up Glen Ey.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Entrance into Glen Ey early in the morning.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
I was really pleased with the condition of the track into Glen Ey. Very smooth surface which made the bike ride quite comfortable.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
A very beautiful and isolated area of Scotland is Glen Ey. Long journey in but worth it.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
The trusty steed. In hindsight I should have really bought a mountain bike with suspension instead of a cross-trail but there were no complaints today.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
First view of Beinn lutharn Mhor.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Made it to Altanour Lodge for 11am. 1hr from starting at Inverey which I expect was probably half the time than if i had been on foot. Chained the bike up on a fence and set off for Beinn lutharn Mhor dead ahead.
Looking back down to where i left the bike at the ruins of Altanour Lodge.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
A slight bit of ground frost was slowly melting in the morning sun. Good path for most of the way until the gradient became steeper and then it was a free roam until I hit the ridge and followed another nice path to the summit cairn.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit finally in sight.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit of Beinn lutharn Mhor at 12:45pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit selfie on Beinn lutharn Mhor. Munro number 168.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Beinn a'Ghlo quite prominent in the distance from the top.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
It became a bit blustery at the summit which prompted the retrieval of the gloves and extra jumper from my bag. Had a quick bite to eat for lunch and then made off in search of Carn Bhac.
With my headphones in I was in a good stride and totally focused on reaching the next top quickly. Descending from Beinn lutharn Mhor was a bit steep and uneven due to the scree. Once on the flat it was time to navigate the peat hags. Thankfully the area was very dry making it easy to cross without getting mucky. Would have been a nightmare if the day before had been a downpour so I was counting my lucky stars.
The summit of Carn Bhac was reached for 2:45pm and got a fantastic view of Beinn a'Ghlo from here!
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
View to the north of Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm basking in sunlight.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit selfie on Munro number 169. Carn Bhac at 3:00pm
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
From the top I headed southeast following the Alltan Odhar river until I hit the path again just before the Altanour Lodge where the bike was waiting for me. From the second summit it was only an hour until I reached the bike at 4:00pm.
Then it was a relaxing ride back with a slight gradient in my favour meaning peddling wasn't really necessary.
With the sun now casting the Glen into shadow it was another hour from Altanour Lodge back to the car at Inverey.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Finishing at 5pm and with a bit of light left in the day was nice as I still had a 3 hour car journey back to Greenock and its always easier when its still daylight on the drive back. With winter closing in it will mean the return of me struggling to stay awake at the end of a long walk while driving home in the dark.
It was a toss up between Glenfinnan and Glen Ey for a bike and hike. I had my eye on tickling off Sgurr nan Coireachan and Sgurr Thuilm with the views into Knoydart being a big draw. I settled for Glen Ey in the end as the summits in the west had a forecast of snow and didnt want to risk poorer visibility and colder temperature!
Set off at 7am from Greenock with the bike stuck to the back of the car - only the 3rd time I've used the bike carrier - and headed towards Braemar. Arrived at the small settlement of Inverey at 9:45 and quickly set up and was on the track by 10am.
Looking out at the Forrest of Mar and Linn of Dee before heading up Glen Ey.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrEntrance into Glen Ey early in the morning.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrI was really pleased with the condition of the track into Glen Ey. Very smooth surface which made the bike ride quite comfortable.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrA very beautiful and isolated area of Scotland is Glen Ey. Long journey in but worth it.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrThe trusty steed. In hindsight I should have really bought a mountain bike with suspension instead of a cross-trail but there were no complaints today.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrFirst view of Beinn lutharn Mhor.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrMade it to Altanour Lodge for 11am. 1hr from starting at Inverey which I expect was probably half the time than if i had been on foot. Chained the bike up on a fence and set off for Beinn lutharn Mhor dead ahead.
Looking back down to where i left the bike at the ruins of Altanour Lodge.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrA slight bit of ground frost was slowly melting in the morning sun. Good path for most of the way until the gradient became steeper and then it was a free roam until I hit the ridge and followed another nice path to the summit cairn.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrSummit finally in sight.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrSummit of Beinn lutharn Mhor at 12:45pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrSummit selfie on Beinn lutharn Mhor. Munro number 168.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrBeinn a'Ghlo quite prominent in the distance from the top.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrIt became a bit blustery at the summit which prompted the retrieval of the gloves and extra jumper from my bag. Had a quick bite to eat for lunch and then made off in search of Carn Bhac.
With my headphones in I was in a good stride and totally focused on reaching the next top quickly. Descending from Beinn lutharn Mhor was a bit steep and uneven due to the scree. Once on the flat it was time to navigate the peat hags. Thankfully the area was very dry making it easy to cross without getting mucky. Would have been a nightmare if the day before had been a downpour so I was counting my lucky stars.
The summit of Carn Bhac was reached for 2:45pm and got a fantastic view of Beinn a'Ghlo from here!
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr View to the north of Ben Macdui and Derry Cairngorm basking in sunlight.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrSummit selfie on Munro number 169. Carn Bhac at 3:00pm
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrFrom the top I headed southeast following the Alltan Odhar river until I hit the path again just before the Altanour Lodge where the bike was waiting for me. From the second summit it was only an hour until I reached the bike at 4:00pm.
Then it was a relaxing ride back with a slight gradient in my favour meaning peddling wasn't really necessary.
With the sun now casting the Glen into shadow it was another hour from Altanour Lodge back to the car at Inverey.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on FlickrFinishing at 5pm and with a bit of light left in the day was nice as I still had a 3 hour car journey back to Greenock and its always easier when its still daylight on the drive back. With winter closing in it will mean the return of me struggling to stay awake at the end of a long walk while driving home in the dark.