Start/Finish: Old Bridge of Tilt car park, Blair Atholl NN874663 Total distance: 53.9km (33.5 miles) Time 5-8 hours Maps Ordnance Survey Landranger 43 Braemar & Blair Atholl Summary Majority on easy estate track but with excellent singletrack deep in the hills. The navigation requires attention and ride is not one for poor weather conditions. Turn right out of the car park then left at the T-junction signposted Glen Fender. Climb steeply on tarmac, bearing right at the next junction (Glen Fender signed left). At Loch Moraig, the road bends sharply left – pass through the gate on the right and take the undulating doubletrack to Shinagag. Cross the bridge over the Allt Girnaig (gated, slippery when wet), then turn left onto a steep, indistinct quad track immediately before the buildings. At the gate, leave the doubletrack that bears right and continue to head straight, climbing gently over rough ground with the bulk of Beinn a’Ghlo directly ahead. Navigation gets tricky here and care is needed not to miss the track beyond the burn crossing. Ford the Allt Loch Valligan and continue in the same direction through the low and very indistinct remains of some stone walls to find the narrow singletrack to Daldhu, becoming doubletrack over the watershed before descending to the river valley. At Daldhu, take the left turn and follow this 4x4 track north to Fealar Lodge; it’s a long haul but it’s the only option. At Fealar Lodge, bear left in front of the farmhouse and pick up the vague singletrack along the fence line. This bears round to the right and contours along the top edge of the gorge before dropping steeply to the Allt Garbh Buidhe, which you will need to cross with care if the river is high. The trail to the right is glorious and worth riding as an out-and-back if you have the time. From this point, navigation is straightforward: simply follow the River Tilt downhill, crossing the suspension bridge at the Falls of Tarf and then descending the valley on gentle doubletrack past increasing amounts of habitation. Stay on the main track all the way back to the car park at Blair Atholl.by ocoutts
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