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BEN AIGAN & KNOCKMORE This ride takes you to the transmitter on Knockmore, the summit of Ben Aigan and stunning views of Speyside. The route described is not way-marked by the Forestry Commission as a horse-riding trail.
Location: Just
north of the A95 from Mulben to Craigellachie.
Map: Landranger 28,
Elgin and Dufftown.
Permission: None
required, Forestry Commission open access.
Going: Mostly
forest roads, some open moorland and one steep grassy track. The climb to
the summit is very stony.
Distance: A ten
mile circuit, but quite hilly. Access point: Forestry car-park just off the A95 at grid ref NJ 334494 – signposted on main road.
Ben Aigan is best known
locally as the hill with the big TV transmitter on the subsidiary summit
of Knockmore. The forestry roads and tracks provide a varied circular
route that will take you about three hours and to the summit of one of the
highest hills in the area.
Ben Aigan is now a major
venue for mountain biking with new single purpose built 'single track'
bike routes having been built in recent years. To avoid fast mountain
bikers and damage to their new trails, please do not ride on the waymarked
cycle routes except where these follow the forest roads.
From the car park head south
along the forest road which steadily climbs and turns in all directions
until you reach the transmitter. For a tremendous view to the north, go
about 150 yards past the transmitter on a faint track to an area of open
ground just beyond a smaller tower.
Go back to the transmitter
and follow the land rover track that leads downhill and then uphill,
becoming muddier when you enter the large open area around the summit of
Ben Aigan. Here you have two options at the junction.
1 Turn right and climb
gently. After a few hundred yards you can take the stony track on your
left which leads up to the summit. Return the same way to this point and
turn left. The track will take you steeply downhill, crossing the mountain
bike route. Turn right onto the forest road. This is the shorter route
2 For a longer route continue
straight on along this path, bearing right when you rejoin the trees and
you then start to descend steeply on a narrow track. Follow the steepening
track downhill, enjoying the view up the Spey, but try to avoid falling
into the ruts! You pass into an area of taller trees then suddenly rejoin
a forest road. Turn right, and after a mile keep right at the junction,
and after a few hundred yards the other route rejoins on your right.
Stay on this forest road
which undulates and twists around quite a lot. Look out for the viewpoint,
on the left (signposted),
which is an ideal spot for a picnic with views northwards up the
Spey to the coast. Keep on the forest road for the next four miles back to
the car park, ignoring the Speyside Way which forks off to your left.
Most cyclists treat us
courteously as we treat them, but in case some aren't used to passing
horses, it would be a good idea wear your ‘please pass wide and slow’
tabard if you have one. The forestry is very sheltered, but the top of the hill is high and exposed so take a warm coat. |
