27.10.12 theheraldmagazine 41

outdoors

Thewalk Beinn a’ Chrulaiste

The cycle Drumlanrig red route

Location:glenCoeMap:OSlandranger 41 (gr220563)Distance: 6½km (4miles)Time: 3hoursTerrain:hill path

Beinn a’ Chrulaiste is the greatrounded lump of a hill whichsits across the road fromBuachaille Etive Mor and, whileit is not an eye-catchingmountain like its neighbour, itdoes afford fabulous views ofthat iconic peak and the rest ofthe Glen Coe massif. Manypeople opt for the ascent fromthe King’s House Hotel but theapproach from further west atAltnafeadh is perhaps the finer.

Start from the large layby onthe A82 at Altnafeadh wherethe West Highland Way footpathclimbs over to Kinlochleven viathe Devil’s Staircase. From theeastern end of the layby a pathleads on to the West HighlandWay which is followedalongside the road over twowooden bridges to the end of asmall forestry plantation. Climbup the side of this plantation topass beneath the power linesand head for a gate in the fencewhich can be seen up to theright. Go through this gate thenimmediately step over the fencebeside it and climb the hillsidepast some wooden posts to pick

up a rough hill path whichascends the edge of the slopeoverlooking the road.

Height is gained rapidly andfabulous views begin to openout with Buachaille Etive Moron the other side of the roadcontinually drawing the eye.The steepness soon eases andthe path swings away from theedge to pass over the minorbump of Stob Beinn a’Chrulaiste where the viewextends north to the peaks ofthe Mamores and Ben Nevis.

Continue in the direction ofthese peaks for a short way tobypass a boggy area and somepeat hags then swing aroundand follow the rough path eastup grassy slopes to the rockysummit of Beinn a’ Chrulaiste(857m; 2811ft).

It is worth walking aroundthe flat summit area to savourthe views before probablysettling on a perch lookingacross to the magnificentBuachaille Etive Mor.Althoughthe route back retraces that ofthe ascent, Glen Coe and itsattendant peaks are nowspread at one’s feet, makingthis perhaps a more fitting wayto leave the mountain.

RabandeRson

Location:Bythornhill, dumfriesshireMap: trailmapavailable at startDistance: 12miles (20km)Time:1.5-2hoursTerrain:undulating; singletrack

Nicknamed the Old School, this red-gradedmountain bike route is great for improving yourhandling skills. Shorter blue and black trails alsoweave through the woodlands at the DrumlanrigEstate in Dumfriesshire.

A trail map, while not essential, can bepurchased from the estate’s cycle shop, whichalso houses the Scottish Cycle Museum. The redroute begins by following an estate road leftbefore diving into the trees. Watch out forwalkers where paths cross.

You’ll notice pretty quickly that the trail surfaceis full of roots, adding spice to the tight cornerswhile demanding good bike control. The rootsfeature throughout the trail, which is bestavoided in the wet. The route twists and loopsup to a bail-out point after four miles (7km).

From there, you can either join the blue routeor return to the start. Continuing on the red,you’ll find there’s plenty more technical riding.Unlike most mountain bike trails, this one hasfew features – apart from the odd jump and ashort section of north shore – but this morenatural singletrack has its own rewards.

Back at Drumlanrig Castle you should take a

look at the cycle museum, where pride of placegoes to a replica of Kirkpatrick Macmillan’soriginal bicycle. Outwith the summer season,there is no charge to park and use the mountainbike trails. For cycle shop opening times go towww.drumlanrig.com.

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Start/finish

A82

KingsHouseHotelBuachaille Etive Mor

Beinn a ChrulaisteStob Beinn a Chrulaiste

Glen Coe

Lagangarbh

Altnafeadh

River Coupall

Start/finishDrumlanrigCastle

DrumlanrigPark

HighFarthingbank

DrumlanrigWoods

NewhouseBogrie Wood

HillheadLoch

Rive

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A76

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atholl armsDunkeld

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