Gravel Cycling Laggan - Melgarve | Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

Laggan - Melgarve | Gravel Cycling in the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland I was already familiar with the very scenic Laggan to Melgarve part of this bike ride, the high and wide strath of the upper River Spey which goes on to the Corrieyairack Pass. But on this occasion I added some great gravel sections I hadn't ridden before. Starting from Laggan, a single-track tarmac road takes you along the Spey Dam Reservoir. Just past the reservoir it's time for the first outstanding detour. A track is taken that goes through Glenshero Estate and its deer park, and into Glen Shirra towards Kinloch Laggan. This is part of the Badger Divide bikepacking route. After having enjoyed great views of Loch Laggan, surrounded by the Ardverikie Forest and the mountains behind it, it's time to head back the same way you got here. Once back on the General Wade's Military road you cycle onwards to Garva Bridge, and then onto Melgarve Bothy and bridge. Just before the tarmac road ends and you get to the bothy, you could visit Melgarve East Bridge first. This bridge is tucked away in woodland behind the remains of an old sheepfold, it's worth the short walk. From Melgarve Bothy another beautiful detour is made to Shesgnan Cottage on the Soft Road for the Hoggs, a historic droving route, and back. Once back at the bothy it's time to head over to the gravel road which was laid for the Melgarve Substation, one of the highest transmission substations in the UK. It's mostly a hike-a-bike over wet ground to the gravel track higher up. It's not too far, but if you don't fancy it, there's a shorter dirt track which will get you on this track about 3 km back down the road. Please be aware that on the first downhill section, before the climb up to the substation, the gravel is loose and chunky and hasn't really been bedded down; best to take it easy on this section. After that it's a lovely hard packed sand road surrounded by the Monadhliath Mountains all the way back to the Spey Dam. Once back at the start you could finish a great day with coffee and cake at the Laggan Coffee Bothy & Gallery. The Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Bike Trail Centre — a purpose-built singletrack centre — is close by. Combined with this route and my Ardverikie Gravel - Ride It Before It’s Gone ride, it makes for a great cycling break in the area. 🎥 Ardverikie Gravel Ride Before It’s Gone | Cairngorms National Park, Scotland    • Ardverikie Gravel Ride Before It’s Gone | ...   📺 Best viewed in HD or 4K. 👍 Enjoy the ride? Like and subscribe for more gravel cycling in the Scottish Highlands. 🚴‍♂️ Route Details Unfortunately I managed to delete the GPX on my Garmin, but there is a GPX file of the planned route on Komoot and on Garmin Connect. 📏 Distance: 50 km / 31 miles 🚴 Garmin Connect: https://connect.garmin.com/app/course... 📍 Komoot: https://www.komoot.com/tour/2836565550 🍰 Café Stop Laggan Coffee Bothy & Gallery https://www.lagganstores.co.uk/ 🛏️ Places to stay The Laggan Hotel https://laggan-hotel.com/ Tigh an Each B&B & Laggan Glamping https://www.lagganglamping.co.uk/ 🚴‍♂️ Nearby Laggan Wolftrax Mountain Biking Trail Centre https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visi... 🎥 My YouTube Channel: Cycling in the Scottish Highlands 🔗    / pjd66   ▶️ Bike Rides in the Cairngorms National Park    • Bike Rides in the Cairngorms National Park   ▶️ All Videos    • All 'Cycling in the Scottish Highlands' Vi...   ⏱️ Timestamps 0:00 — Laggan to Glenshero Estate 1:44 — Glenshero Estate and Glen Shirra 3:16 — Onto Melgarve Bothy 5:25 — The Soft Road for the Hoggs 8:32 — The gravel road back to the start 🎵 Music 'Seeland' by NEU! 'Toxic Girl' by Kings of Convenience 'Hope Is The Last Thing To Die' by David Holmes #GravelCycling #CairngormsNationalPark #ScottishHighlands #Melgarve #RiverSpey #GravelRide #gravelroute