Ben Alder and Beinn Bheoill Bike & Hike
Ben Alder is a truly spectacular mountain in a wild location. It is visible from miles away appearing as a steep sided plateau. The approach from the north is dominated by the Leachas ridges that climb steeply up to the plateau. Beinn Bheoill is separated from Ben Alder by the Beallach na Beithe and has steep slopes down to Loch Ericht. As a pair of Munros they make a fantastic circuit and an adventurous day out.
This is a one day Bike & Hike event so you will need to bring a mountain bike and a helmet with you.
Ben Alder & Beinn Bheoill
We will cycle out of Dalwhinnie underneath the railway and along Loch Ericht towards the Ben Alder Estate. Before the main estate buildings we head uphill and towards the hills for our first views of Ben Alder. After a rougher section of cycling we leave the bikes and make our way to the Long Leachas. This gives us a lovely wild ridge walk with some easy scrambling up onto the plateau. A bouldery walk up along the coire rim to pass the remains of a Colby camp takes us to the summit.
The Colby camps were built by the Ordnance Survey whilst mapping Scotland in the nineteenth century. For more information check out these blog posts by Heavy Whalley and Munro Moonwalker.
We continue around the plateau enjoying the views in all directions before a rough descent to the Bealach Beithe. A steady climb brings us to Sron Coire na h-Iolaire with views along Loch Ericht and over to Drumochter. The ridge walk over Beinn Bheoill is starighforward and gives fantastic views accross to the cliffs of Ben Alder. Our descent is on mixed ground with a fair share of boulders and boggy ground to pick up the stalkers path back to the bikes.
The cycle back out is a long way after the hills, but it is quicker. After the rougher section the descent back to Loch Ericht is a lovely and free-wheeling ride.
Distance: 48km Ascent: 1250m Time: 9-12hrs
£90
Group size is limited to a maximum of 6 people. To book your place on this walk please read my booking information and complete a booking form using the button below.