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Mountain biking trails

Glenmore Forest Park to Lairig Ghru and Glen Derry loop – Cairngorms National Park

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Glenmore Forest Park to Lairig Ghru and Glen Derry loop – Cairngorms National Park

Hard

riders

Glenmore Forest Park to Lairig Ghru and Glen Derry loop – Cairngorms National Park

07:09

53.7km

1,130m

Mountain biking

Embark on a challenging mountain biking adventure through the Glenmore Forest Park to Lairig Ghru and Glen Derry loop, a classic route in the Cairngorms National Park. This extensive 33.3-mile (53.7 km) loop, with a significant 3721 feet (1134 metres) of elevation gain, takes around 7 hours and 8 minutes…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Includes a very steep uphill segment

You may need to push your bike.

After 11.4 km for 98 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

6.97 km

Lairig Ghru Lower Descent (Aviemore Side)

Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint

Fantastic singletrack descent down the bottom section of the Lairig Ghru. Can be done as a loop accessed via Rothiemurcus Lodge, but even worthwhile as a pedal/push up and ride down.

Tip by

9.22 km

Lairig Ghru Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

This section of the trail boasts some truly gorgeous singletrack, in truly opulent surroundings. As do other sections of the same trail, to be honest. The Lairig Ghru has been …

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16.7 km

Lairig Ghru Trail

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Gorgeous, technical, astonishing, bouldery and difficult. All words that adequately describe the Lairig Ghru from a mountain bike perspective.

Yes, there are times when it becomes so bouldery you'll likely …

Tip by

28.3 km

Glen Derry Singletrack

Highlight (Segment) • Forest

An amazing piece of singletrack, perhaps one of many in the area, but that's not to underestimate the trail.

Technical, beautiful and utterly remote. A fantastical little slice of singletrack heaven.

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38.7 km

Fords of Avon Refuge

Highlight • Mountain Hut

A simple and basic refuge shelter, not designed for overnight stays but rather for emergency use. You'll find the shelter on the north of the River Avon, near the stepping stones.

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50.6 km

An Lochan Uaine (The Green Loch)

Highlight • Lake

Legend has is that the water here is so green because the pixies wash their clothes in the water here. Or it might be to do with the trees. Whatever, …

Tip by

53.6 km

Glenmore Visitor Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

Find out more about Glenmore Forest Park at our visitor centre, where you can consider the range of trails and activities whilst relaxing in our café. You can begin a …

Tip by

53.7 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

40.4 km

10.1 km

1.62 km

1.60 km

Surfaces

23.2 km

20.2 km

6.61 km

2.14 km

1.07 km

550 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (830 m)

Lowest point (330 m)

Weather

Thursday 7 May

10°C

1°C

19 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 24.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

This route was planned by komoot.

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Glenmore Forest Park to Lairig Ghru and Glen Derry loop – Cairngorms National Park

Lairig Ghru Lower Descent (Aviemore Side)

Lairig Ghru Trail

Lairig Ghru Trail

Glen Derry Singletrack

Fords of Avon Refuge

An Lochan Uaine (The Green Loch)

Glenmore Visitor Centre

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