Corbett bagging: Bike and hike of Stob an Aonaich Mhòir
Though fairly distant, the Corbett Stob an Aonaich Mhòir affords a reasonably simple outing in the event you use a motorbike.
The 855m tall hill is positioned some 13km alongside an property highway, which the general public can stroll or cycle. The highway is usually tarmac (tough in locations however very rideable) and rises from 210m, near the shore of Loch Rannoch, to round 620m elevation.
The cycle uphill has just a few steeper sections because it progresses however nothing too arduous. I loved the trip, particularly the sudden sunshine and the views of a gorgeous stream alongside the highway after which the upper rounded hills and moorlands lined in a blanket of autumn-coloured vegetation.
I rode my gravel bike, whereas my good friend Ben cycled his mountain bike. Each forms of bikes have been effective for the highway floor.
The highway began as a tough observe however shortly transitioned to tarmac. The floor is previous tarmac, with some newer tarmac sections. You must peep a watch out for some deep potholes. I bought caught out a few occasions by pot-holes full of rain water that have been deeper than I assumed.
The trip was a bit of longer than I anticipated however I favored the concept of protecting so many kilometres by bike, relatively than what could be a really lengthy and relatively uninteresting stroll in the event you selected to not cycle. I additionally knew the trip again downhill could be a dream!
From bike to stroll
The beginning of the stroll uphill is simple to identify due to a small cairn by the road-side. That is the place you immediately see Loch Ericht, over the forehead of the bealach and stretching north-east.
Ben and I left our bikes right here after which discovered a faint trod that led us barely north of west to climb in the direction of the summit of the Corbett. The tough terrain was an enormous distinction to the comparatively clean highway.
The bottom is thick with vegetation. There have been additionally boggy sections and peat hags to start out with. The trod got here and went however Ben and I typically walked upwards maintaining a largely straight line for the best level.
It’s a brief stroll, not more than 1.5km, and never significantly steep or strenuous. As we approached the summit cairn, we have been immediately handled to very good views alongside Loch Ericht. The mountains of the Ben Alder space rose steeply from the opposite facet of the loch.
The summit reveals how distant this mountain is. Throughout is moorland and excessive mountains. The western facet of the Corbett plunges steeply in the direction of huge Loch Ericht.
The wind was fairly sturdy at altitude, so Ben and I shortly returned again down the best way we had come.
From stroll again to bike
We reclaimed our bikes and set off for the return trip alongside the property highway. Other than a few ups, the general return trip supplied a improbable downhill cycle. It felt fantastic to whizz via the surroundings and again to our begin level.
Route particulars of Stob an Aonaich Mhòir
Ben and I parked at a parking lot on the B846, on the north in need of Loch Rannoch, simply in need of the beginning of the property highway. This added a few kilometres to the general distance.
Whole distance: 31.75km.
Whole elevation achieve: 771m.
See: Strava and OS Maps.
Corbetts bagged: 133