Gaick Pass route

near Blair Atholl

24.1 miles

Distance

958 ft

Climb

-1,239 ft

Descent

1,672 ft

High Point

-281 ft

Altitude change

742 ft

Altitude min

1,024 ft

Altitude start

741 ft

Altitude end

-0.2%

Grade

-9.4%

Grade max

15%

Grade min

8 miles

Distance climb

14 miles

Distance down

2 miles

Distance flat

The Gaick Pass runs between Dalnacardoch and Kingussie, parallel to the Drumochter Pass.
The majority of the route is on landrover track, with only the small section through Gaick itself on singletrack. Consequently it's not a technical route, but it is a fairly easy way to get yourself into a remote place.

Starting at Dalnacardoch, cross the A9 at and go through the gate onto the hardpacked landrover track that gently climbs the hill. At follow the track up the hill through the trees and keep climbing gently, bearing left at . You get a little respite from the climb when you emerge from the trees, and a view of the long gradual climb ahead of you up into the pass. Bear right at and start the long but easy angled climb on the track up into the pass.

The track is hardpacked all the way to where you cross the river on a concrete bridge. The track is a little rougher beyond here to Sronphadruig Lodge, but still easy going. You cross the river again using another bridge, then at turn off the track and ford your way across the river again to pick up the singletrack at the south end of Loch an Duin.

From here follow the singletrack through the pass itself. It's fairly easy going and level. The sideslope provides the only difficulties and even then it's straightforward enough.

At the north end of the loch the singletrack tends to fade away a bit, but it's easy enough to figure out the route - just find yourself an easy spot to cross the burn that empties Loch an Duin. This was straightforward enough in the summer when I was there, but it may be a different proposition after a prolonged wet spell or snowmelt.

Once you cross, there's an obvious track to follow as you continue north. This time it's not as smooth as the one on the south side of the loch, with the odd section here and there with a lot of rubble on top. The good news is that the gradient is now generally downhill all the way to the end.

There's another burn to cross at which should be quite easy, at which point the track starts to get a little smoother along the shores of Loch Bhrodainn. The last potential difficulty is fording the Allt Gharbh Ghaig at Again when I was here it was wide, but very shallow, and easy enough to ride across.

From here you're back onto smooth hardpacked landrover track as you pass Gaick Lodge and along the shores of Loch an t-Seilich, and once you get to you hit tarmac.

Now it's a straightforward run down through Glen Tromie, with the gentle slope making it easy to keep a good pace.

At Tromie Bridge at turn left onto the B970 towards the remains of Ruthven Barracks, and just as you pass here, turm right at, cross under the A9 and arrive at Kingussie.

Detailed Description

Gaick Pass is a 24 mile less popular red route located near Blair Atholl. This mountain bike only route can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. This route climbs 958 ft with a max elevation of 1,672 ft then descends -1,239 ft.

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Stats

Distance

24 miles
Altitude change

-281 ft
Altitude min

742 ft
Altitude start

1,024 ft
Altitude end

741 ft
Climb

958 ft
Descent

-1,239 ft
Grade

-0.2%
Grade max

-9.4%
Grade min

15%
Distance climb

8 miles
Distance down

14 miles
Distance flat

2 miles

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Details

Riding area

Beinn Dearg
Primary Activity

Mountain Bike
Difficulty rating

Red
Route Type

Point to Point
Bike type

AM, XC
Direction

Both Directions
Physical rating

Hard

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Gaick Pass route

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Gaick Pass route

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