Rannoch Station to Kings House Hotel?

[Ray Young]

Has anyone done this track? It looks to be there on satellite but is it over a bog from hell? I am sure I read of someone crossing it but that was quite some time ago. Thanks.

[Alpinum]

I rode from Pitlochry to Tyndrum end of May in 2013 and it wasn't too bad. Guess the grounds were rather dry back then (?)
I just felt a bit out of place, nothing hellish. Lots on and off the bike though. I have some bog porn photos if you like...

[summittoppler]

I was up that way with some mates about 10 years ago. A couple tried it and succeeded but it was a nightmare!! Loads of slow walking and it turned out to be quite character building for them. Not sure if the time of year would help with the so called track. We were there in May (before the midges).

[Ray Young]

I have some bog porn photos if you like...

Ooo, bog porn, yes please.

It will be summer if I get round to it so hopefully dryish.

[ericrobo]

Ray, I did this years ago, one of my early Scottish rides, a 4 day one...

I think it was day 3 I arrived at Rannoch Station having come from Dalwhinnie via Loch Garry...

Took the hotel for my night's rest and recuperation, instead of camping as previously, and set off on the 4th day feeling fresh...

That bloody forest ! It was diabolical, going over tree roots and bog sh1te, soul destroying stuff and it must be nearly 4 miles, not much riding at all, but if I remember correctly once out of the forest I could ride again.

But that was probably a good 12 years or more ago, so (hopefully) things have changed...

[ScotRoutes]

I have some bog porn photos if you like...

Ooo, bog porn, yes please.

It will be summer if I get round to it so hopefully dryish.

I was going to suggest doing it when the ground is frozen

[AlasdairMc]

I was going to suggest doing it when the ground is frozen

So next year then?

My dad has walked it, he said it was pretty wet. One of the party ended up waist deep in a bog by taking a wrong step. Oops.

[Ray Young]

A quick reccie has shown a longer and possibly more feasible alternative route, will need to plot it out to see how much longer but longer=more time away so that's OK.

[AlasdairMc]

A quick reccie has shown a longer and possibly more feasible alternative route, will need to plot it out to see how much longer but longer=more time away so that's OK.

Do tell, I'm interested in that area. I had planned to ride from Bridge of Orchy to Rannoch Station via Gorton Bothy and some possible bog trotting, but it requires summer weather for it and a dry spring.

[Alpinum]

Pacemaker






Beautiful roll-in




Fun starts prompt



The shoes soon experienced what they were going to get for the next 6 days.



This derelict building is well visible on google earth and a helpful reference point. There's a little lip to roll off, down toward the ruin, from where you get a good view of what lies ahead. I can't recall seeing a (better) track running on slightly higher grounds a bit to the north of this location.









The first load of muck on the very clean bike. As with the shoes, it was about to see more.





After a gentle rise I reached a gravel road that took me down to the ticks play ground (Kings House Hotel)


If you go across Rannoch, you'll be seeing Buachaille Etive Mor for a while. Same with the Black Mount. Stunning views, amazing place to be...

If you don't mind wet feet and are bog aware, go for it. If you have some experience hiking/biking in bogs, you'll be safe.
I changed many things regarding software/hardware and can't find the gpx file anymore, but I guess I just took a route from the OS maps and once on the ground used my route finding skills and roughly stuck to the gps track to get back onto the gravel road due west.

[Ray Young]

New route thinking is Connel, Loch Etive N shore, Kinlochlevin, Loch Treig, Loch Ossian, Loch Rannoch, Loch Lyon, Glen Kinglass, Oban and finish at start point.
Hope to plot it later to get a mileage.

[fatbikephil]

Great pics there, this is a route I've been itching to do for a few years as well as the even boggier one from Bridge of Gaur to Gorton bothy. The Scottish 6 days trial goes through there so I've always thought it doable. Defo one for the fat bike tho!

Ray If you look on the aerial photos on bing you can see the trials bike tracks actually take a deviation south of the marked path which may be a better prospect (or not.....)

[Ray Young]

Thanks for all the replies and photo's. So it's doable with on off bike hike and care not to fall into any bogs.
I'm undecided yet as to whether I should tackle it or take the longer route which at the moment is looking more likely.