Uncover an journey to bike and hike the Corbett, Beinn Dronaig in Wester Ross. The article was printed within the Scots Journal.

Bike and hike of Beinn Dronaig

The stroll to the summit of Beinn Dronaig is comparatively quick however the route to achieve the mountain in Wester Ross, north-west Scotland, is lengthy and lumpy.

Even after cautious planning and consideration, the eight-mile observe from Attadale Gardens, simply off the A890 single-track street, took my good friend Rachel and I abruptly.

Provided that it was late winter and the times had been nonetheless in need of daylight, we determined to make use of mountain bikes for the primary part of the journey.

We additionally tied in with the practice service from Inverness to Attadale – a request cease – on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line. The primary practice arrives at 10.50am so there was no time to waste.

From the distant station, we pedalled off at velocity on a brief part of tarmac street to the doorway of Attadale, carrying rucksacks ladened with winter outside package, together with crampons, ice axes and strolling poles. 

The attractive gardens are open to the general public and I made a word to revisit for a wander round one other time.

Skirting the southern fringe of the gardens, Rachel and I then turned to the south-east and continued on the vast observe, following the identical route of River Attadale. 

A mile or so of straightforward biking got here to an abrupt finish after we crossed a footbridge south and over the river. The primary of many steep uphills through the subsequent seven miles was eased barely by tight zig-zags however we had been nonetheless compelled into our best gears to proceed the climb.

The observe levelled for a short time earlier than persevering with a extra mild, however nonetheless muscle-challenging, ascent over many smaller ups and downs to achieve an elevation of some 650ft.

We stopped a few instances to catch our breath and look behind on the excellent views over Loch Carron and throughout to the Applecross mountains within the distance.

At tiny Loch an Droighinn, our route swung north-easterly and though we had been nonetheless using uphill, Rachel and I had been satisfied we had accomplished the hardest sections. Sadly, the steepest gradient was nonetheless to come back and it was merely hidden across the subsequent nook, simply previous Loch na Caillich.

I confess I didn’t handle to remain on my bike regardless of attempting very exhausting to grind the pedals spherical and spherical. In addition to being a testing incline, the observe had grow to be a lot rougher with unfastened rocks and stones to barter. 

I might solely watch as Rachel, who’s a extra skilful mountain biker, continued to trip whereas I used to be compelled to get off to push my bike the ultimate 80ft.

Again within the saddle, we loved a neater upwards slope till we reached 1100ft above sea degree. The reward for our morning’s efforts got here with a wonderful vista of many distant mountains unfold out to the north-east, together with our goal, Beinn Dronaig. They had been all capped in picturesque snow.  

From right here, the observe started to descend and swiftly we cruised to a top of 650ft. Shedding a lot top so shortly would usually be spirit-lifting however Rachel and I realised this may imply we had a better top to climb on foot.

We handed Bendronaig Lodge, simply to our north, which serves as a bothy for passing walkers and cyclists. The lodge is maintained by Attadale Property and whereas providing primary residing and sleeping lodging, it has the bonus of a distant rest room. 

Hike to summit of Beinn Dronaig

Quickly after, we noticed the beginning of our strolling route of Beinn Dronaig, which at 2614ft tall qualifies as one of many 222 Corbetts in Scotland.

Swapping from biking package to strolling garments and boots, we locked out bikes collectively and began out on foot, heading east away from the observe. The bottom was instantly moist and boggy and we spent a while attempting to leap between raised grassy tussocks earlier than giving in to a usually squelchy hike in the direction of the shoulder of a excessive crag.

Again once more at 1100ft elevation, we joined a slim and craggy path south, which rose in steps till we all of a sudden encountered snow 200ft greater up.  With out an apparent path, Rachel and I made a decision {that a} usually southerly method uphill made sense.

We had been grateful for our crampons and ice axes on the slippery floor, and particularly when the snow grew to become deeper. 

From time to time, we stopped to soak up great views of quite a few mountains, together with the recognisable peaks of Torridon.

The summit lastly got here after turning east at round 2400ft elevation after which homing in on a trig pillar. It is a mountain to order for a transparent sky due to the wide-sweeping panorama, together with Loch Monar to the east, the Mullardoch and Strathfarrar mountains and west to the Isle of Skye and the rugged ridge of the Cuillin.

The plan was to return by the identical route and though this could generally really feel like a much less thrilling selection than a circuit, I used to be trying ahead to the views in reverse. 

The descent from Beinn Dronaig was simple just because we might comply with our snowy footsteps. We had been cautious at icy sections and on steep rocky however in seemingly little time, we discovered ourselves beneath the snow line and again on the boggy decrease slopes.  

Bike again to the beginning

Swapping strolling package for biking garments, we hopped again on our bikes and began with a pleasant trip downhill.  We each grinned as we zipped alongside on the tough observe that had appeared a lot extra daunting on the climb up. 

Passing the lodge once more after which rounding a nook and over a bridge, we had been introduced with the primary part of uphill. It was a protracted ascent on drained legs and we had been compelled to drop the gears and settle right into a sluggish climb.

After which got here the ultimate and joyful downhill part. This was what we had been trying ahead to and it didn’t disappoint. 

The flatter observe across the backyard property, took us again in the direction of  Attadale station and any worries that we would not make the restricted service had been alleviated as we realised we had greater than an hour to attend for the 5:49pm practice.

Reality: Beinn Dronaig takes its identify from the Gaelic phrase “droning”, which implies “humped”., or a mountain of little top. It is a modest identify for the Corbett of most than 2600ft top.

Bike and hike: The route & the place to remain

Begin and end: Attadale, West Ross.

Distance: 20 miles (30km)

Complete ascent: 4500ft (1370m)

Prolong the journey: Take pleasure in a few nights, earlier than and after the bike and hike, at Strathcarron Railway Cottages. Strathcarron is the practice station earlier than Attadale on the Kyle of Lochalsh Line.

Tip tip: Make sure you ebook a bicycle reservation on the practice as a result of there are restricted areas.  

Equipment checklist: Beinn Dronaig

• Mountain bike
• Massive strolling rucksack
• Biking garments
• Bike helmet
• Gloves
• Footwear – biking footwear and strolling boots
• Strolling garments
• Waterproof jacket and trousers 
• Spake layers
• Spare hat and gloves
• Strolling poles
• Ice axe
• Crampons 
• Emergency bivvy bag
• Map and compass
• Cell phone
• Meals and water.