Cairngorms Gravel Loop - Ballater, Balmoral & Loch Muick. Gravel Rides Scotland Route 17.

A Cairngorms gravel bike adventure in Royal Deeside. This epic ride takes in Route 17 in Ed Shoote’s Gravel Rides Scotland. It starts in Ballater, passes through Balmoral Estate, skirts Lochnagar then drops down to Loch Muick. A 7-mile road descent then takes you back to Ballater.

Apologies to locals and other pronunciation sticklers, I already knew it’s pronounced Glen/Loch “Mick”, but for some odd reason I constantly refer to it as “Muck”! 🤪

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[deansockalingum]

Great video thanks for sharing this wonderful route

[glenlittlejohn]

Great stuff - this was a classic MTB route back in the days of fully rigid or (if you were posh) 80mm elastomer forks. Don't be tempted to do a circuit of the loch with a bike though - it's o'er rough. A great option is up the very steep 'strike o' lightning' landy track up to the high ground at the pony hut on the bealach between Glen Muick & Glen Clova - the views of the Mounth Munros and the glittering skellies in the other direction are immense. Ed Shoote's book has but a wee flavour of the rideable terrain in Deeside and North/Northwest Aberdeenshire - book a trip, come & explore.

[grahamhaines]

Cycled most of this circuit last year whilst staying at Ballater, and it didn’t disappoint. The ride up Glen Muick on the right side of the river is really enjoyable. Thanks for sharing.

[daveblogs]

Hi From Northern Ireland. We just discovered your Channel.. and wow glad we did..love your style and Love the Cairngorms. Have only ridden a bit in the Cairngorm area from Linn of Dee .but we hope to explore more thanks to your great vids 👍👍

[andymelville]

Thanks for sharing, great video as ever 👏

[IsaacS]

I've ridden this, an excellent route!
And you're getting pretty good at this YouTube content stuff, excellent work ❤

[johnoneil]

Enjoyed the vid. Was there a couple of weeks ago and did some of Ed Shoote's routes but not this one. Can't wait to go back.

[SwampyDuckRidesAgain]

One of the routes I’ve fancied doing but not sure if I’ll be able to get my bike over that gate :( Thought these were supposed to be left for access and it’s not the only one.

[boblim]

Impressive camera work. Using just the insta 360 or is there some drone footage ?

[colinhodgson]

Do you have a komoot account or such where i can see routes.. Thanks

[Tazfiend]

One question - why didn't you circumnavigate Loch Muick? Is there a bad section?