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Mountain biking trails

From Invercauld Bridge to Balmoral Castle and Bealach Dearg loop – Cairngorms National Park

Routes

Mountain biking trails

From Invercauld Bridge to Balmoral Castle and Bealach Dearg loop – Cairngorms National Park

Moderate

5.0

(19)

riders

From Invercauld Bridge to Balmoral Castle and Bealach Dearg loop – Cairngorms National Park

03:33

39.0km

690m

Mountain biking

Embark on a moderate mountain biking adventure through the Cairngorms National Park, connecting Invercauld Bridge to the historic Balmoral Castle. This 24.2 miles (39.0 km) loop demands good fitness and advanced riding skills, featuring a mix of unpaved paths, gravel, and some asphalt sections. You will gain about 2257 feet…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Cairngorms National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

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694 m

Invercauld Bridge

Highlight • Historical Site

The Invercauld Bridge, which is also known as the Bridge of Dee crosses the Dee near invercauld near to Balmoral Castle.

There are two bridges here, the Old Bridge of …

Tip by

6.76 km

Balmoral Estate Forest Track

Highlight • Forest

Royal gravel! And that's how it rides too. Beautiful, hard gravel roads that wind through the stunning forest. I could cycle here for days.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

10.6 km

Balmoral Castle

Highlight • Castle

The Scottish residence of the Royal Family was built in the 13th century and purchased by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria more than 150 years ago.

Tip by

27.8 km

Glen Dearg Hunting Lodge

Highlight • Viewpoint

The unfortunately closed and locked hunting lodge high up in Glen Dearg.
A beautiful and atmospheric place to stop.

Tip by

30.0 km

Bealach Dearg Pass

Highlight • Viewpoint

The pass between the Dee and Dearg valleys.
Fantastic views and a good surface

Tip by

36.3 km

Descent to Invercauld

Highlight • Forest

Brilliant fun descent, flowing trails!

Tip by

39.0 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

31.3 km

5.48 km

1.64 km

584 m

Surfaces

31.3 km

7.05 km

398 m

141 m

119 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (730 m)

Lowest point (280 m)

Weather

Thursday 7 May

8°C

2°C

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Trail Reviews

richardatbelair

October 2, 2022, Invercauld - River of Gairn loop

This is ride no. 18 in Gravel Rides Scotland by Ed Shoote. I used a mountain bike and was glad I did although a gravel bike with at least 42mm tyres would do most of it comfortably. Huge climb up from Loch Builg goes up to 18% and, in parts, has been chewed up by vehicles making it impossible to ride. Fabulous descent from the top down to Invercauld. Part of the route near the end has been blocked off since the route was devised, so don't do the little spur you see on the map - stay on the forest track all the way back to the car park.

From Invercauld Bridge to Balmoral Castle and Bealach Dearg loop – Cairngorms National Park

Invercauld Bridge

Balmoral Estate Forest Track

Balmoral Castle

Glen Dearg Hunting Lodge

Bealach Dearg Pass

Descent to Invercauld

Nearby routes

Trail Reviews

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