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Venue: Orrin Reservoir Circuit

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Venue Type:
No. of Trails: 1
Facilities:
No facilities at this venue.
Location:-
Head north on A9 from Inverness, taking A832 to Muir of Ord (MO). Follow A832 through MO and turn left at Glen Ord Distillery to Aultgowrie (start). Limited parking.

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Description:-
From Aultgowrie head west on good tracks on the southside of River Orrin towards Orrin Reservoir. Cross over to northside of R.Orrin just after a Stronachroe. The track is now more or less tarmac all the way to the reservoir.

At the reservoir, head SW over 2 dams, you'll go from tarmac to landrover track circa the second dam. From the second dam follow the track for about 3.5Km until you start to descend a short scrabbly bit of track. You'll notice a bothy (concrete) on your right. Slow down here and look carefully for the sinlge track on your left that leads back to Aultgowrie. There is a small cairn marking it, but it is easily missed. If you get to the bottom of the scrabbly slope you've missed it!

For about 5km the single track path provides a lovely route on a great stalkers path, never too technical or too steep, but always fun. At the end of the 5Km you descend to and cross the overflow of a small lochan where the track develops into a rough landrover track. Expect some very wet and deep boggy sections for the next 1.5Km! These can be bypassed and the track does improve thereafter as it climbs again before a final descent through Achederson (farm) and then to Aultgowrie Bridge. Please note that there are often livestock and a locked gate in and around Achederson so please be considerate here.

I love this route for the remote feel, its easy ascent and its great return leg. I often think its good preparation for riders who are starting to think about big mountain days in the Highlands. Please assume Big Mountain day conditions and don't underestimate this route as you can be very exposed to the elements.



Trails at Orrin Reservoir Circuit

Summary


Trail Title Length (Miles) Ascent (Mtrs) Time (Hrs) Tech Grade Fitness Grade
Orrin Reservoir Circuit 14 371 3.5 Moderate Moderate

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Comments and ratings for Orrin Reservoir Circuit
I did not think this was a 4 star cycle. The 1st half was nice the 2nd half was bog, bog and more bog. There are loads of cycles that I would do before this one. Sorry but I thought it was no fun.
magnus gave this trail 2 stars about 1 month ago
markkupnorth gave this trail 4 stars about 2 years ago
Did this loop in July 2013. The first section is all road till the dams then turns in to a land rover track till you reach the old cement store bothy with at least 15 chairs in it!!!! This then turn... read whole comment...
slam13867 gave this trail 3 stars about 3 years ago
Did the loop tonight was well worth it really enjoyable apart from the boggy bits but a great remote pedal .
arkansas gave this trail 4 stars about 4 years ago
I sort of did this route - I didn't turn left onto the single track. I kept going on the landrover track up over the hill and down to Erchless Castle. The descent on the other side is a lot of fun, bu... read whole comment...
herohair gave this trail 4 stars about 4 years ago

Orrin Reservoir Circuit


Viewed 887 times
Length: 14 Miles
Ascent: 371 m
Time: 3.5 hrs
Tech Grade: Moderate
Fitness Grade: Moderate
Av. Trail Rating:
(5 votes so far)
Description:-
A lovely route that feels remoter than it is and great preparation for those people wishing to try out the longer mountain days such as Glen Sligachan on Skye. The easy ascent saves energy. The more technical single track return is a great way for riders to experience prolonged sections of technical trail, but not at a really hard technical level.

It is the Scotish Highlands so the usual warnings regarding appropriately kit and being able to use that kit stand. It defintely rides better in drier conditions, but its still good in the wet. Surprisingly enough it can also ride well in Winter when frozen.

I don't think it counts as a hard technical route, there is a long section of easier technical riding, but its not hard. I also think its only moderate for fitness grade, the ascent is too easy and its not too long a route. However, for moderate technical/fitness routes is it probably at the upper end and as I said before its a great stepping stone for harder mountain routes.

I love it, I hope you guys do!!




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Average rating for the trails at Orrin Reservoir Circuit


3 Stars

5 votes for this rating
This venue has been viewed 9091 times

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