Badger Divide Plans

[Rapideye]

Hi, I'm planning to bike the Badger Divide over 4 days near the end of May. Train booked the other day.

A couple of questions. How is Camping on the Corrieyairack Pass? I'm thinking I'll only make it to Fort Augustus on the first day, but if the going is good, I'd maybe make a start on heading over. I see there are bothies, but I'm not sure about sleeping in them.

And bike choice...I'm leaning towards gravel with bigger tyres but would a hardtail be a better choice? And, if gravel...what size tyres and how knobbly?

Cheers

[lookrider]

Afraid I cannot help or advise but this will be an interesting thread too watch
This the reason I replied is to get the alerts as advice comes in from others
Thanks

[whitestone]

The first bothy (Blackburn of the Corrieyairick) is about halfway up the FA side, it's sort of ahead of you to the right as you cross the burn. There's also an old building next to the track just after the main burn crossing but I can't remember if it's open or not. There's a building right at the summit but pretty sure that's shuttered up. The second bothy (Melgarve) is very close to the start of the public road so can be busy. It's right next to the track so easy to check.

As for actual camping: as is typical with Scotland a lot of the ground is tussocky so finding a flat (and dry!) area might be an issue.

[Rapideye]

Cheers, Whitestone. I have seen Jimmy G's posts about the route and his use of the smaller building that was open. Is this the one you mean? Aside from Bothys, if pitches can be awkward, then I'd probably just camp at FA and do the up and over on the next day as one.

[yourguitarhero]

There's a few places to camp up the Coriearyiack Pass.
The bothy on the Fort Augustus side is fine and easy to camp outside of if it's full.
The descent off of the pass will be hard work on a gravel bike but the rest of the route would suit one better. It's a very rocky descent.

[Bearlegged]

And, if gravel...what size tyres and how knobbly?

I did it on 42c WTB Resolutes. My friend was on 40c Nanos.

[Rapideye]

Cheers, Bearlegged. Just the ticket

[JimmyG]

For Rapideye; Just seen this thread and spotted a reference to my BD ride report. Re the little building at the top of the Corrieyairack Pass: I slept there, on the bottom shelf of a shelving unit, as it happens.

It's worth noting that this building has only relatively recently been unlocked (18 months or so at a guess?). I imagine word of that has spread by now so be prepared for it to be occupied on your arrival. In that case the options would be to camp nearby where there are some grassy spots (it's usually windy up there, mind) or descend the pass southwards towards Melgarve Bothy. It's big with several rooms and if you wanted a room to yourself you'd probably get one (except maybe at weekends). There's a stream close by for water resupply btw.

Re bike choice: I'd previously ridden parts of the route on a gravel bike with 45mm tyres but for my full BD trip I chose a hardtail MTB with 27.5 x 2.25 tyres and didn't regret it. Reason? The rocky descent of the Corrieyairack but mainly for better climbing gears. You'll need them!

[EdwardH]

A gravel bike will be fine, I did it on my Whyte Gisburn and had no problems, the only real techy bit is the descent down into the Corrie Yairack. I stopped at the Blackburn of Corrieyairack bothy as my first stop. Both times I've used this bothy its been empty. Its a single big room and even if its full there is a large flat area outside to camp on.

[Rapideye]

Ok thanks, everyone. So, depending how far I get, I might have a go at the pass and see how far I get. Good to know there is good spots at the bothy, even if there isn't space in it itself. Maybe I'll go all out social and take a decent bit of whiskey to bribe my way in.

Jimmy...yes, saw your A+ choices of accommodation. Thanks for the details on the bothies. I think what'll help decide on the day will be weather. I won't want to camp up on the pass if it's minging weather.

Choice of bike is a dilemma I'll mull over for a while. The climbs, my legs and the fact I live in a place where hill climbing is almost non-existent makes me think I should take the hardtail. But I'm up for popping the gravel bike's cherry with a decent Scottish ride on 45mm tyres. I do have one eye on the later stages, after a few days, where I'll head towards Alloa after Callander instead of completing the route to Glasgow. The gravel bike lends itself to that section. Mind you, I'm not that speedy either way, going steady is always my strategy.

Any other hints or pointers appreciated.

[fatbikephil]

Keep an eye on the wind forecast - if it's default south westerly, you'd be better doing it south to north.

[Rapideye]

Yeah, Phil, I saw you making that point in one of your posts but I'd already booked the train ticket.

[fatbikephil]

Yeah, Phil, I saw you making that point in one of your posts but I'd already booked the train ticket.

Well we've had lots of North-easterleys and stunning weather this year so far so here's hoping

[Rapideye]

Back again.

So, last few days before I head back home, with my start the 7.30am train to Inverness from Stirling on Friday.

These are my planned stages...

Day 1 - Inverness to Blackburn Bothy
Day 2 - Blackburn Bothy to Loch Ossian/Corrour
Day 3 - Loch Ossian/Corrour to Kenknock/Glenlochay
Day 4 - Kenknock/Glenlochay to home.

Due to having to make sure I spend some time with my folks, and making sure I'm back there early evening on the 4th day, I've been looking at 'outs', ways I could shorten the ride or even bail if I need to. I'm not chickening out but I can get a bit ambitious sometimes and don't want it to become a slog-fest to get back in time.

Firstly, and the one decision I'd need to make at the start, is whether to take the route on the north side of Loch Ness or skip that and take the NCN 78 on the south shore, which being road, would probably be quicker, maybe preserve the legs for later in the day and rest of the trip. Maybe even ensure I make it to Blackburn Bothy for the evening. Any downsides to this? Anything I'd miss other than higher views of Loch Ness?

Secondly, would be to continue on the road at Loch Rannoch instead of diverting off it at the start, only to pick it up again sooner after. This would save a bit of time.

Thirdly, would be to pick-up NCN 7 at Killen to Callendar to save a bit of time and legs. This is almost a certainty to get home that bit earlier.

Apart from the start, I would see how I'm going and how I feel and, if things were going good, just stick to the main route. I can also admit defeat towards Callander and get picked up but I don't like failing and asking my Dad to pick me up at the age of 53 isn't a good look, I feel

Weather looks a bit dodgy but them's the breaks.

[fatbikephil]

Back again.

So, last few days before I head back home, with my start the 7.30am train to Inverness from Stirling on Friday.

These are my planned stages...

Day 1 - Inverness to Blackburn Bothy
Day 2 - Blackburn Bothy to Loch Ossian/Corrour
Day 3 - Loch Ossian/Corrour to Kenknock/Glenlochay
Day 4 - Kenknock/Glenlochay to home.

Due to having to make sure I spend some time with my folks, and making sure I'm back there early evening on the 4th day, I've been looking at 'outs', ways I could shorten the ride or even bail if I need to. I'm not chickening out but I can get a bit ambitious sometimes and don't want it to become a slog-fest to get back in time.

Firstly, and the one decision I'd need to make at the start, is whether to take the route on the north side of Loch Ness or skip that and take the NCN 78 on the south shore, which being road, would probably be quicker, maybe preserve the legs for later in the day and rest of the trip. Maybe even ensure I make it to Blackburn Bothy for the evening. Any downsides to this? Anything I'd miss other than higher views of Loch Ness?

Secondly, would be to continue on the road at Loch Rannoch instead of diverting off it at the start, only to pick it up again sooner after. This would save a bit of time.

Thirdly, would be to pick-up NCN 7 at Killen to Callendar to save a bit of time and legs. This is almost a certainty to get home that bit earlier.

Apart from the start, I would see how I'm going and how I feel and, if things were going good, just stick to the main route. I can also admit to admit defeat towards Callander and get picked up but I don't like failing and asking my Dad to pick me up at the age of 53 isn't a good look, I feel

Weather looks a bit dodgy but them's the breaks.

North side of Loch Ness = pretty nice but also check out the South Loch Ness Trail as it's nicer.

Loch Rannoch - yes - go to Kilvrecht campsite . Carie and rejoin the BD via the trail up the west side of the Alt Na Boghair - it's lovely!

Killin to Callander - NCN 7 is easy but really nice.

[Rapideye]

Cheers, Phil. Hadn't heard of the South Loch Ness Trail, I've checked it out and might be the option. I've ridden the NCN 7 before and easy might just be welcome at that point.

Weather's not looking great.