Monday 6th July
I found this route in a book a few months ago and it sounded
good, so I decided to give it a try today.
I parked the car at Loch Doon castle and followed the forest
drive road over to Loch Riecawr, then on towards Loch Bradan. Just before you
reach Loch Bradan you take a narrow path on the right. It was a good job that I
was using a GPS as the waymarker sits off the road and out of sight in long
grass. It could be very easily missed.
Loch Doon Castle
Loch Doon in the distance
Loch Riecawr
Picnic area overlooking Loch Riecawr
A memorial to a hill walker erected by his friends after he died
From the waymarker you follow the small track uphill for a
few meters then you veer left and continue around the side of the hill which
brings you to the side of Loch Bradan.
The hill trail to Loch Bradan
The first section of this trail is not difficult but the trail
gets more technical the further along the Loch side you go. You get some great
views of the Loch and the scenery is fantastic.
As you near the end of Loch Bradan you come to a waymarker
at a junction. The waymarker is signed Loch Riecawr – Loch Bradan. Follow this
route uphill. This is where the trail starts to get really difficult, with steep
and technical sections.
Loch Finlas -Loch Doon waymarker
View of the trail uphill trail from the waymarker
Once at the top of the hill you are rewarded with views of
Loch Bradan behind you. As you cycle across the top of the hill you see “Nick
of the Loup” in front of you and Loch Finlas to your left and Loch Doon further
on in the distance.
View of Loch Bradan from half way up the hillside
View from the top of the hill
Loch Finlas with Loch Doon in the distance
View of Loch Finlas just before the descent
At this point the trail gets really interesting as you start
to descend towards Loch Finlas you have to negotiate some very large rocks and
boulders. After a very exciting downhill section you eventually arrive at
wooden boardwalk next to a forest area where the track almost disappears. As you
go through the opening in the wall you turn left and follow the edge of the
trees where you again pick up a well trodden track which eventually opens up
into a forest road.
The trail that runs along the tree line
From here you turn right at the next three junctions which
takes you parallel to Loch Doon. Continue to the next junction and turn left
which brings you back to the parking area at Loch Doon castle.
Coffee break overlooking Loch Doon
Loch Doon
Last section of forest road before the forest drive
This is a very interesting trail which took me 3 hours 10
min. I would say however that it is not for the novice or even a seasoned trail
rider without a map and compass. There is a lot of technical sections on this
route and care must be taken. Also the weather in this part of the country can
be very changeable without much warning. Never the less it was a great day out
to be cycled again in a few years time.
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