Glencoe - Kinlochleven - North Ballachulish - Glencoe

[Comatosed]

Hi,

I'm heading up to Glencoe this weekend and camping at the Red Squirrel campsite. Was wondering if anyone has cycled the above route and how safe it would be (will there be cars boming around at 70-80mph around Loch Leven). Should be a really good ride otherwise.

Thanks

 

[Renard]

I think the worst bit would be the main road between the Ballahulish bridge and Glencoe. Not sure if there's a cyclepath. Glencoe itself will be ok as there is still a fair amount of the old road left.

 

[djb1971]

The road to Kinlochleven is a nice run. You get the odd truck doing a delivery ( mainly from Ballachulish side ) and a few minibuses. There's plenty of picnic areas along the way. The loop is around 40 miles ( guessing ) from Glencoe around the loch and back over the bridge along the A82. It's the A82 that you've got to be careful on but that stretch is fairly wide so you're easily passed

 

[djb1971]

Just checked, the loop is 20 miles. I went one way then back again!!

I think that adds up to 40 .........

There's also a few tea rooms for cakes and drinks!!!

 

[Comatosed]

Just checked, the loop is 20 miles. I went one way then back again!!

I think that adds up to 40 .........

There's also a few tea rooms for cakes and drinks!!!

Thanks, that sounds quite acheivable (after my 300 mile drive!).

 

[djb1971]

I know the feeling. It's the drive that's stopped me from going there over the past few weeks.

You're only a few miles from Fort William and you could always hire a bike and have a go on the mtb course. The ride through the pass of Glencoe over Rannoch is nice but you do dice with death. The cars and trucks aren't too bad it's the coaches you have to watch!! If you catch the ferry at Corran ther's plenty of more peaceful riding over Linnhe. The road to Oban isn't much safer either if you don't like fast traffic.

Have a nice time, it was sunny up there at the weekend whilst it was raining here and look out for the midges between Ballachulish and Kinlochleven. I looked like I'd got polkadot leg warmers on last year

 

[Comatosed]

A couple of good ideas there but I reckon I'll stick to the chilled out ride to Kinlochleven. I know what you mean about the Oban road and Glencoe / Rannoch - I wouldn't chance cycling along either of those!

I'll take some midge gear, and I'm sure it'll be a good weekend, hopefully the weather should be ok.

 

[Crackle]

It'll be a lovely ride, quite up and down in places so it's a sturdy 20 miles. There's a very good fish restaurant on the Ballachulish side. There's also another campsite, I think on that side too which might be better than the Red Squirrel which is a bit naff: Actually no scrap that, you can walk to the Clachaig from the Red Squirrel so it's perfect.

Another ride to do is around Loch Linhe or at least along it on the opposite side to the A84. Get the Corran ferry over and turn right or alternatively turn left. You can do loops on both but they are around 40 miles, one of them spectacular but hard. If you're interested I can give you the details.

You can also do some easy forest trails by the ski centre, mtn bike not necessary, bigger tyres useful though, again just say if interested. You can cycle next to the Caledonian canal too, though I've never done that.

 

[Comatosed]

The fish restaurant sounds good, and the Corran Ferry ideas sound good for in future. I got the ferry over new year on the way to Mull, it's really nice round there.

There's something about the Red Squirell site though, I just keep going back. It's nice and simple in nice surroundings, open fires and as you say near the Clachaig Inn with it's real ale and live music. I'm looking forward to the long hours of daylight as well. Ah bliss.

 

[Crackle]

This is it and I can personally recommend it, several times.

http://www.lochlevenseafoodcafe.co.uk/

 

[djb1971]

The large caravan park at Glencoe allows for camping, it has a small shop launderette etc and a large covered area for bbq's . The shop may come in handy

 

[Comatosed]

This is it and I can personally recommend it, several times.

http://www.lochlevenseafoodcafe.co.uk/

Thanks, looks tastey!

 

[PaulB]

While you're up there you MUST MUST MUST stop at that petrol station that you come to just after crossing the Ballaculish bridge in North Ballaculish (it used to be a Shell but could have changed now) when heading north and look back across Loch Linnhe from the forecourt. For me, this is (despite you being in a petrol station) one of the absolute best views in the whole of Great Britain, if not Europe. The mountains you are looking in wonder at are collectively known as Beinn a Bhethir, pronounced Ben Vair which means The Peak of the Thunderbolt in English. In fact, if you have time, climb the buggers! Whatever you do though, stop at that garage and look back south for a sumptuous, glorious view.

 

[ColinJ]

While you're up there you MUST MUST MUST stop at that petrol station that you come to just after crossing the Ballaculish bridge in North Ballaculish (it used to be a Shell but could have changed now) when heading north and look back across Loch Linnhe from the forecourt. For me, this is (despite you being in a petrol station) one of the absolute best views in the whole of Great Britain, if not Europe. The mountains you are looking in wonder at are collectively known as Beinn a Bhethir, pronounced Ben Vair which means The Peak of the Thunderbolt in English. In fact, if you have time, climb the buggers! Whatever you do though, stop at that garage and look back south for a sumptuous, glorious view.

Och, you've got me pining for the lochs and mountains again now!

My mother comes from just down the road (Benderloch) and all my summer holidays were spent up there until I was a teenager.

Sustrans are developing a cycleway from Oban to Fort William.

 

[Crackle]

Sustrans are developing a cycleway from Oban to Fort William.

A large section of that is built, I watched them build it. I think the Fort William-Ballachulish section will be very welcome, depending on how they route it, as that road is awful to cycle along.