Start/Finish: Tilt car park, Blair Atholl NN874663 Total distance 38.3km (23.8 miles) Time 2.5-5 hours Maps OS Landranger 43 Braemar & Blair Athol Summary Simple out-and-back with weatherproof trails and stunning scenery. Take the track opposite the car park entrance. It’s signed as a private road but bikes are permitted. Follow this track as it winds through the trees heading directly north. Cross the river once as it tumbles through the gorge and continue climbing gently. Gilbert’s Bridge marks the first possible return route. If you want a very short ride then turn left here, cross the bridge and return to Blair Atholl via easy tracks with a bit more climbing. Otherwise, continue straight on, over Gow Bridge so the river’s on your right, and follow the doubletrack into the glen. Some distance after Forest Lodge, the doubletrack climbs up and away to the left. Bear right here onto singletrack to follow the riverbank to the Falls of Tarf. To extend your ride and take in some of the best natural singletrack, cross the bridge and follow this trail all the way to the cairn at the top of the valley — there’s a precipitous drop to the river so if you’re nervous of heights it’s possibly not one for you. The return route simply retraces your tyre tracks back down the valley, enjoying the reversed gradient. Shortly after Gow Bridge returns you to the east bank of the river, keep an eye out for a path that bears right; this is the second alternative and it’s detailed in the Trailmaps route (see Moderate Ride description on page 118). Otherwise, follow the doubletrack back past Gilbert’s Bridge and back to the car park.by ocoutts
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