The Lost Valley of Glen Creran

[hech]

Tis a dull, dricht, woeful sorta day up here in the wilderness of sunny Argyll so thought I would post on my cycling expedition to 'the lost glen', possibly the first time ever man has reached these remote summits by bicycle (er, well, didn't see any other tire tracks that is).




This glen begins at sea level as a loch, carved out of the ancient Caledonian mountains by glaciers long since melted.

 

[hech]

At the end of the road up the glen I joined a forestry road and began a climb of 1000ft in 4miles. The forestry road is in great condition as harvesting operations are in full swing. It was tough going climbing ball the time but the motor running at 44v took it easily in it's stride in first gear mostly and no sign of warmth, a pity really because it got pretty cold by the top of the glen.

 

[Old_Dave]

Simply stunning hech

I'm so glad to be an immigrant

 

[hech]

The forestry road peters out at the top of the glen and we are well inland now, Glencoe three miles over the hill to the north, but from here on its by foot. They dont plant any higher than this, not even conifers will grow well above this-1500ft.
The snow is mostly gone now but on the tops of the mountains snow lies year round on the north slope.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Any chance of inviting us up for a holiday?

 

[hech]

Forestry roads are wide and easily rideable though big 2.3" tyres help. Just riding up thro endless spruce or larch plantations would be tedious were it not for the height these tracks often navigate and the views that can be seen. The plantations themselves are criss-crossed by lanes called fire-breaks. These wee lanes would be a lot of fun on a mountain-ebike but I didnt try any as there was so much fallen timber in my way.

This one is actually from the bottom of the glen looking seaward. Also from higher up though.

 

[bazwaldo]

Stunning an beautiful scenery hech thanks for posting and good to see the Tonaro getting a great workout.
Barry.

 

[103Alex1]

Stunning place - looks great . Is that a baby carrier on the back of the bike ?

 

[Scimitar]

Stunning place - looks great . Is that a baby carrier on the back of the bike ?

Man, that's for the sheep.

 

[103Alex1]

Man, that's for the sheep.

The lamb, surely ? !

 

[Cyclezee]

Magnificent scenery hech you are making me home sick

 

[Willin']

Is that Beinn Fionnlaidh in the background? I did that in 2003 but I can't remember whether I did it from Glen Creran or Glen Etive - I'll have to go and dig out my notes as my memory is not what it was - neither are my knees which is why I have been stuck on 83 Munros for far too long.

Beautiful country - every time I see something like that I start to look wistfully at my boots and haversack. Good to see the Tonaro getting up there - it's my hope to use mine to get up the Tilt valley from Blair Atholl so I can tackle a couple of the Munros up there.

 

[hech]

Hi Willin, the picture of the hill may well be Ben Fionnlaidh, at 959m prob the biggest nearby. The Bidean is just to the north-east - the biggest mountain in Glencoe, and where four lives were lost in an avalanche last week. You probably did approach it from glen creran up thro Glenure. 83 munros is good going I reckon - a pedelecs record maybe anyone??? Makes sense to ride up whatever tracks you can find so long as you can find something to chain it to at the road end.
Once my new 500volt battery arrives from Hobbyking I'll have a go at Ben Nevis, by bike of course.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=208448136584233026178.0004d4e62f3ed307837f7&msa=0&ll=56.617899,-5.102119&spn=0.074711,0.154324

 

[Willin']

Whenever I've ridden a normal bike up a glen and had to leave it I've just taken the front wheel off and chained it to the rear wheel and frame and left it in the heather and occasionally under a bridge. Sometimes left it for a few days while I was camping/bothying and knocking off a hill or two. Wasn't too bothered about whether it would be there when I got back but my Tonaro cost a fair bit more so I'll definitely make it more secure if I ever get back up there.

Best of luck tackling Ben Nevis by bike!