One of the best ways to explore the Cairngorms is to plan a cycling trip through this stunning region of Scotland. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or looking for somewhere to take the family on holiday, cycling in the Cairngorms offers something to suit everyone.
Road Cycling in the Cairngorms
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The Cairngorms has some of the best mountain bike trails in Scotland, as well as on-road routes and off-road trails that take you along quieter roads, and through lush landscapes. Then there’s the superb clip-top challenges for cyclists who want to test their skills. Finding somewhere to stay during a cycling trip is easy with a choice of lovely self-catering Ballater accommodations to rent in the surrounding areas.
Below, you’ll discover a great choice of cycling trails and routes to suit all ages and abilities and it’s where you’ll discover scenic mountain viewpoints, historic sites, lush landscapes, and wildlife that only the Highlands has to offer the intrepid visitor. It doesn’t get much better than spending quality time cycling in the Cairngorms.
Best Cycling in the Cairngorms for the Experienced Cyclist
Best Cycling in the Cairngorms for a Family-friendly Holiday
National Route 195 (The Deeside Way) is an ideal choice for families who want to enjoy a peaceful cycling holiday in a beautiful environment. It’s an easy route for youngsters which runs alongside the old Royal Deeside Railway line. The route offers superb views over Lochnagar, not to mention the spectacular views of the southern Cairngorms peaks!
Another great route for families is to start out at Aviemore and to follow a short section of the Lochs & Glens Way to Boat of Garten. After this, you can opt to catch the steam train back to your starting point at Aviemore. It makes for a great day out cycling in the Cairngorms.
There’s lots to see and do along the routes which includes:
- Visiting the Old Station Buildings where each building has an information board on it telling you it’s story. Murtle Station was a destination for travellers who used to visit the Deeside Hydropathic which had Russian and Turkish baths!
Discovering the secret garden at Allan Park which is just a short ride away from Cults Station. It makes for a great place to have a picnic - Exploring majestic Drum Castle with it’s extraordinary library and beautiful woodland walks and rose gardens
- Taking a train ride down memory lane on the Deeside Railway and enjoy a coffee in the buffet carriage
- Strolling around Crathes Castle with its sculpted ancient yew trees and its fabulous painted ceilings
- Find the strange round tower in Banchory known as the Grave Robber Watchtower which alerted villagers back in the day when grave robbers were about!
- Checking out the gorgeous Cambus O’May Suspension footbridge that crosses over the River Dee
- Boarding the lovely replica of a Royal Train carriage and savouring the culinary delights in the tea room at the Royal Station in Ballater
There’s lots to see and to explore Royal Deeside when cycling in the Cairngorms.
Best Cycling in the Cairngorms for a Challenging Mountain Experience
If you are looking for something that will test your mettle, it doesn’t get much better than planning your starting point in the lovely village of Tomintoul which also makes a great base for a cycling trip in the Cairngorms.
Experienced road cyclists get to test their skills and stamina on some of the steepest ‘snow roads’ in Scotland. This includes the Gairnshiel, the Lecht, and of course, Cairngorm Mountain.
There’s lots to see and do in Tomintoul which includes:
- Visiting the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Discovery Centre
- Take a tour around Drumin Castle
- Enjoy a tipple at The Whisky Castle
- Discover a treasure in Spindrift of Tomintoul
Best Cycling in the Cairngorms for a Wildlife and History Experience
Scotland has some of the best wildlife and historical sites some of which are found in the Cairngorms. This includes Blair Castle.
There are some great cycling routes in the area one of which takes you to the Falls of Bruar and another which takes you to the walled ‘Hercules Garden’. Another trail takes you around the castle grounds.
A great starting point is Kingussie from where you get to follow the Lochs & Glens Way. This takes you past Ruthven Barracks onto Invereshie and Inshriach forest, which is one of the 8 National Nature Reserves in the Cairngorms National Park.
You’ll spot plenty of red squirrels and native birds which includes the beautiful yet elusive Cappercaillie. Leaving the woodlands, you’ll find mountain hare, dotterels and rock ptarmigan on the higher slopes. There’s gnarled Krummholz pines near the higher tree line which are amazing.
There’s some great stalker paths and tracks that take you through the reserve which is a good place to visit throughout the year although the winters can be a bit harsh!
Top things to see in the reserve includes:
- The iconic red squirrels
- Exploring the many trails that take you through the scented pine woodlands
- Enjoying the superb view over The Cairngorms
Best Cycling in the Cairngorms For Superb Views
Looking for spectacular views on a cycling holiday in Scotland? Look no further than planning a route that starts out in Braemar. From here you get to enjoy superb vistas that can only be found in the Central Cairngorms.
The route takes you to the beautiful Linn O’Dee waterfalls. After this you follow the route back via the beautiful Victorian hunting lodge of Mar Lodge which makes for an interesting day out cycling in the Cairngorms.
Great things to do and see in Braemar:
· Visit Braemar Castle which was built by the Earl of mar in the 1600s. It was his hunting lodge
- Explore Balmoral Castle and Estate by taking a guided tour or a luxury Land Rover safari tour around the amazing castle grounds
- Discover the Royal Lochnagar Distillery and sip a dram of the award-winning whiskey produced there and the wonderful Lochnagar walk
- Go to the picturesque Great North of Scotland Railway Building which was a bus depot for the Great North of Scotland Railway service
- Check out the local souvenir shops in Braemar Village Centre where you’ll find lots of local treasures
- Learn about the events that led to the Wellington Aircraft Memorial being erected to commemorate the aircraft that crashed in the Cairngorms Mountains in WWII
Planning a day or two cycling in the Cairngorms makes for a superb, relaxing, unforgettable experience every time.
Cycle-friendly Cafés to Visit when Cycling in the Cairngorms
The Cairngorms National Park offers some superb traffic-free trails, routes and tracks that make for a wonderful bike ride. There’s something for everyone with the added bonus being the lovely cycle-friendly cafés you’ll discover enroute some of which are listed below:
- Kincraig’s Old Post Office Cafe Gallery is situated in Kincraig. It’s where you’ll enjoy gorgeous views over the Spey and Loch Insh and a wonderful cup of steaming coffee and culinary delights
- Nethy House Café is where you’ll find freshly baked cakes and scones and superb coffee.
- Glenlivet Bike Trails Café offers cyclists great coffee and delicious cakes.
- The Barn at Rothiemurchus is where you’ll get to savour a wonderful mug of coffee and there’s a great selection of cakes, burgers and bacon buns too.
- The Milk Hoose Cambus O Mey is where you’ll get to taste some delicious cheese offerings and enjoy the coffee and cakes served here too. There’s a superb choice of things to eat which includes toasties and haggis combos!
- Alvie Forest Food is where you’ll get to taste everything that nature has to offer and more.
- Laggan Coffee Bothy & Gallery offers cyclists culinary delights while being entertained by Kara the African Grey parrot. Then there’s the superb views over a stunning landscape that really will take your breath away.
- Route 7 Café is a great pitstop where you get to enjoy a wonderful cup of coffee and some delicious culinary delights.
- The Base Café Glenshee is a great place to stop and enjoy lots of goodies that are on offer.
- Cairngorm Café has a great selection of hot and cold food along with steaming cups of coffee to replenish your energy.
A Great Choice of Sustrans Cycle Routes in the Cairngorms
- An Lochan Uaine Loch Morlich – a 4 hour ride which is 19 miles (31km) long at 1083ft (330m) – skill level – intermediate
- The 5 Bridges Loop – a 4 hour ride which is 33 miles (53km) long at 1364ft (416m) – skill level – challenging
- Aviemore to Abernethy – a 3.5 hour ride which is 18 miles (30km) long at 682 ft (208m) – skill level – intermediate
- Inshriach Forest & Glen Feshie (circuit) – a 2.5 hour ride which is 20 miles (33km) long at 124ft (376m) – skill level – intermediate
- Grantown on Spey (loop) – a 3 to 4 hour ride which is 24 miles (39.5km) long at 1446 ft (441m) – skill level – challenging
- Tomintoul (loop) – a 3 to 4 hour bike ride which is 20 miles (32.4 km) long at 1185ft (361m) – skill level – intermediate
- Linn of Dee & Mar Lodge (loop) – a 2 to 2.5 hour long bike ride which is 12 miles (20.5km) long at 652ft (199m) – skill level – intermediate
- Lower Glen Tilt (circuit) – 2 hour bike rides which is 5 miles (9,5km) long at 640ft (194m) – skill level – intermediate
Glenlivet MTB Trails Great For Families
Aboyne to Ballater on the Deeside Way
This is a mostly flat track that’s a great choice for younger children. The route begins in the centre of Aboyne and goes up a path passing lush countryside onto a woodland. The route offers some stunning views of a suspension bridge that goes over the River Dee and finishes up at the Old Royal Station. It’s one of the nicest trails in Ballater.
There are many great places to be cycling in the Cairngorms.
Glen Doll & Jock’s Road
This cycling in the Cairngorms route is a great choice for families with older children. It starts out at the Forestry Commission car park which is located in Glen Doll then it goes along a path that follows the river. Eventually the trail crosses a bridge to the other side where the route takes you along a forest road then uphill to the top of Glen Doll.
The route down from Glen Doll takes you along Jock’s Road which is too difficult for younger children to negotiate but older, more experienced children should manage the descent pretty well. After this the track takes you down the forest road back to the car park and to the starting point of your day out cycling in the Cairngorms.
Before you go...
If you are searching for somewhere to have a quiet bike ride in stunning surroundings where there’s lots to see and do, it doesn’t get any better than planning a cycling trip in The Cairngorms National Park. From the spectacular mountain routes to trails through stunning woodlands, there’s a track that suits every skill level which includes younger enthusiasts who would enjoy the experience of cycling in the Cairngorms with their families and friends.
For those who want something more challenging, the Cairngorms has lots to offer too. From clifftop challenges to downhill bike trails that test your mettle, you’ll enjoy a superb time in this gorgeous region of Scotland.
For people who enjoy walking and hiking in glorious landscapes, there are some great choices which include the Sgor Buidhe Circuit Walk, or the wonderful trek up Craigdendarroch.
There’s so much to see and do in beautiful locations that can only be found in this part of Scotland. Then there’s all the attractions which includes the many farmer’s markets where you’ll get to savour local delicacies. Whichever bike track, route or trail you choose to take for a cycling holiday, refreshments are never far away. Especially if you stay in a Ballater accommodation.
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or you just want a quieter family cycling holiday with the Cairngorms as a beautiful backdrop, there’s so much to see and do in the regions when you plan a holiday cycling in the Cairngorms.
Bike Hire In Ballater
Do you want to hire a bike while in the Highlands? Here you can see where to hire a bike in Ballater.
