Abandon ones conveyance at a small layby 100m east of the Rannoch power station. Only do this if its been dry for a bit would be my advice. Ben Alder is one of the great remote mountains of Scotland, set in the very heart of the Central Highlands. The total length of this single track (Ben Alder Cottage to the double track above Pattack) is 16k, if you want more you have to go to Fisherfield..... One of the appeals of this area is the scope for short circuits, easy ride in / ride out trips (a perfect break from the drudgery of the A9 if you are heading north) but there are also a couple of classic big day rides. If you are up for it its well worth it as you then pick up another nice trail to Ben Alder Cottage and get to ride the best trail in the area - see below..... Of course if you are into bike rafting then this would make this route much easier. The beach looked tempting but I had a quicksand incident here previously so stayed clear..... From Ben Alder Cottage you start on 10 miles of divine single track. This is the first iffy bit. I did this in October '15 starting at Rannoch and it was dryer than when I did it on the above mentioned tour in the August. One last climb followed by a gentle descent back to Loch Rannoch overlooked by Schiehallion. As well as the above there are two through routes (well one and a half as they both start at the same point) either on the Highland Trail 550 route to Lagan or else as a means of getting into the Cairngorms via Dalwhinnie. The trail starts right at the bothy and its immediately good - a narrow gravel path winding up alongside the Allt Chaoil Rheide. Map #385 has two sides. Some grassy sections with exposed tree roots and … Top of the climb looking west over to Blackwater Reservoir (the furthest away one) and the Glencoe hills. Watch your nav through the missing bit, I followed my nose from the end of the marked path and this seems to be where most people are going as when you join a wee side burn there is a path of sorts. This is one of several that the estate did up in about 1999, entirely at their own expense. Note that its not a hugely popular walking route as most munro baggers go up the direct route to Ben Alder. Hopefully this will serve to help people get out there and enjoy the great outdoors as seen from a bike seat. The route starts out easy - down Loch Ericht over and across to Culra, over the Bealach Dubh / Cumhain to Ben Alder Cottage. This defile sits around 100m higher than Loch Lagan - more glaciation. Follow your nose here as there is an argocat track to the left of the marked line which can be very wet. Around Loch Ericht. From Dalnaspidal I left the A9 behind and headed south by Loch Garrry in the late afternoon sun. (this bit is my favourite section on the descent) Its one of those trails that you expect to peter out round every bend but just keeps going. There are a few that have bigger gaps but my view is that as we are in the mountains, get over it and get that front (and back) wheel airborne. Best of all, waterbars (those lines of rocks across the trail to divert surface water) are few and far between, a sure sign of a designer who knew their shit. Keep straight on what is now a nice made single track. As it was we were too knackered to contemplate a big climb over a trail of unknown provenance so rode out to Ardvericke and followed the road to Newtonmore instead. And then there’s Ben Alder Cottage, the haunted one. At this point I'd not much idea what I'd be in for other than what a mate had said i.e. It will also help me remember where I've been over the years! Be warned, you need all your food with you. "Ordnance Survey Explorer Map #385: Rannoch Moor and Ben Alder" covers that portion of the Scottish Highlands inbetween the scenic but civilized environs of Perth and the towns along the A9, and Glen Coe and the dramatic scenery of the West Highlands. Not all of this is a walk, especially if your on a fat bike, so its worth it if things are reasonably dry. Not exactly fat bike terrain but I've become quite proficient at dealing with headwind pavement climbs on the beast - just sit back and relax and don't try to pedal too hard. Another section of vague path / bog lead to my third bothy of the day at Duinish. If you look at a large scale OS road map of Northern Scotland your eye maybe drawn to a large area of wilderness bounded by the A9, A86, A82 A85 and A827 with only a couple of C roads and the B road alongside Loch Rannoch intruding into the southern area. Anyway your now on a long, long climb to Corrour old lodge. Nav is simple - start at Dalwhinnie, head down Loch Ericht, Over to Loch Pattack, down the river and cut round west to Lochan Earba (i.e. Marina, Loch Rannoch Hotel Boat Hire, white rafting and canoeing. Covering some 68000 acres stretching from Loch Rannoch to Dalwhinnie. Just be sure of your river levels though! Lochan Earba is to the right of the small hill just off centre. My only comment is that you pass the magic 500m mark a few times on the routes described here. You are now in the middle of the area and able to contemplate all of the views around you. We've done most of those tracks and circuits, just the Loch Ericht shoreline and the Allt Cam tracks to get the full set. The next challenge was to cross the Allt Cam which was a shoes and socks off job. There is a small island in the river perfect for a pitch up. Yet another blog about someones biking adventures. The summit, looking down to Loch Ossian (This was taken on a trip I did in May 2016). 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