Based on a route we learnt 3 years ago during a trip with Alan (thanks Alan!), Andrew and I set off at 7 am from our lodge at Coylumbridge on an adventure into the mountains.
The first 5 miles were easy running along nice bike tracks to Loch Morlich, and we arrived there by 8 am.
From here, we headed over well kept trails through Glenmore and past Loch Uaine (the green loch) so called due to it's green waters, which depending on which explanation you read, is caused by algae, the colour of the reflection of the trees on the banks, or from pixies washing their clothes in the waters.
At the top, spectacular views over Loch Avon, a view always to lift the spirits!
We dropped down to the loch, and ran the trail around the edge, stopping at some beaches along the way.
Then passing the Shelter Stone.
From here, we had a choice to make as to the next part of the route. Last time we had taken a steep and terrifying almost vertical route of scrambling, up on to Cairn Gorm mountain, which I still have not completely stopped shaking from. This time we followed a route up the side of a waterfall, which although very steep and scrambly for a few hundred meters, felt much less perilous, and I enjoyed it much more.
Once at the top, it was good trails up to the summit of Cairn Gorm.
Then down trails to the ski centre, before taking a tiny path down a valley into the Glenmore Nature Reserve, following a river through magical pine forests carpeted with purple heather and ferns.
At the end of this trail, we veered off through the forest to the beach on Loch Morlich, before heading back along the 5 miles of bike trail back to Coylumbridge.
29 miles and 4100 feet of ascent. A fantastic adventure!
Followed by refuelling with ice-cream sandwiches (thanks Donald and Freya!) and random dinosaur encounters 😆
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