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      | Gravel Biking in the Cairngorms

      Gravel Biking

      Introduction to Gravel Biking

      Deposit From: £295
      Region: Cairngorms and Central Highlands
      Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
      Confirmed: When 3 Travellers Book

      Next Departure: 8th - 11th May 2026
      Accommodation: Classic

      Grading:

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      All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      icon-download Download Itinerary

        From:  £1,145 View Prices & Dates

        Trip Overview

        Created by: Stevie Christie

        Set beneath high mountain plateaus and laced with ancient pinewoods, the Cairngorms National Park offers some of Scotland’s finest gravel riding.

        Based in a welcoming guesthouse in Aviemore, this fully guided beginner’s gravel biking holiday explores quiet trails and forest tracks that wind through the Spey Valley, linking lochs, rivers and small Highland villages. Led by an expert cycling guide, the trip is designed to be accessible to all, whether you are new to gravel biking or already comfortable in the saddle.

        There’s plenty of time to build your confidence, with relaxed daily distances, friendly trails and your guide on hand to show you the ropes, share tips, and keep things fun and supportive.

        Ride beneath the shadow of the Cairngorms, visit a remote bothy, and stop for coffee and cake in tucked-away spots mainly known to locals. With gentle pacing and plenty of time to take in the views, it’s a refreshing way to experience the landscapes, wildlife and character of the Highlands.

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        Day by Day
        Itinerary

        Day 1 – Arrive in the Cairngorms & Afternoon Ride Read Less

        Day 1

        Arrive in the Cairngorms & Afternoon Ride

        Meet your guide at Aviemore Railway Station and stroll down the lane for lunch at a characterful inn beside the River Spey. After a relaxed chat about the days ahead and ensuring your bike feels just right, set out on an easy-going afternoon ride. Follow a well-made path that winds through ancient pinewoods and circles the shimmering waters of Loch an Eilein. Pause to spot the castle ruins marooned on a tiny island and take in the atmospheric views across the loch to the surrounding hills. This evening, settle into a welcoming guesthouse in Aviemore and enjoy a peaceful night in the Highlands.

        Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
        Ride Details: 20 km / 12 miles | 175 m / 574 ft

        Day 2 – Inshriach Forest & Feshiebridge Read Less

        Day 2

        Inshriach Forest & Feshiebridge

        After breakfast, roll out for a beautiful loop that stitches together a fantastic selection of trails and reveals some beautiful views. Pedal along the old logging way into Inshriach Forest, home to pristine remnants of ancient Caledonian pines. Wide, rolling tracks provide perfect gravel biking terrain before popping onto the road to cross the picturesque Feshiebridge, which spans deep pools and dates back to the late 18th century. Pause at a charming post office café for tea and cake, before following a pretty stretch of the Speyside Way back to Aviemore.

        Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
        Ride Details: 30 km / 19 miles | 300 m / 984 ft

        Day 3 – Ryvoan Bothy & Loch Garten Read Less

        Day 3

        Ryvoan Bothy & Loch Garten

        Today’s ride visits a traditional Scottish bothy, tucked beneath the heathery slopes of Meall a’ Bhuachaille and ribbons through Ryvoan Pass to the charming village of Boat of Garten. Ride along the shores of Loch Morlich, enjoying impressive views of Cairngorm Mountain, and stop to admire the vivid green waters of An Lochan Uaine, which is said to be so because of the fairies washing their clothes. Pass by Ryvoan Bothy, which sits at the head of the pass, before descending through gnarled pine trees latticed with lichen. As you cycle by Loch Garten, look for great spotted woodpeckers, siskins and red squirrels. Arrive back in Aviemore this evening and enjoy a delicious dinner.

        Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
        Ride Details: 40 km / 25 miles | 375 m / 1,230 ft

        Day 4 – Rothiemurchus Forest Read Less

        Day 4

        Rothiemurchus Forest

        This morning, meet your guide for a scenic ride through the Rothiemurchus Forest to Loch Morlich. Cycle beneath fragrant pines and across open heathery moorland, with sweeping views of the Cairngorms unfolding ahead. Enjoy the steady rhythm of pedalling, accompanied by the quiet and a soft chorus of birdsong. Return to Aviemore at lunchtime, in time for your onward travel.

        Meals Included: Breakfast
        Ride Details: 22 km / 14 miles | 200 m / 656 ft

        Download Itinerary

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        Introduction to Gravel Biking

        To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

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        The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

        Trip Dates & Prices

        All payments taken in local currency GBP
        Trip Dates for 2026 Availability StatusPriceBook
        8th May - 11th May 2026 8 place(s) left Available £1,145 Book Now
        21st Aug - 24th Aug 2026 8 place(s) left Available £1,145 Book Now

        Make This Trip Private

        Fancy this trip just for your group? Get together with family and friends spend quality time exploring wild places. A private trip allows you to benefit from all the features of the group departure, including hand-picked accommodation and expert local guides but with the advantage of the flexibility to tailor the days to your group. Make the trip more or less challenging depending on your experience or choose to add in some optional extras like castle or distillery visits depending on your interests. The price of a private trip will depend on the number of travellers in your group. Let us know your preferred departure date and we'll take care of the rest.

        Enquire Now Learn More
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        Introduction to Gravel Biking

        For private departure enquiries, please complete the form below:

        Trip Details

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        Accommodation Read More

        This Gravel Biking holiday is based in a welcoming and comfortable accommodation in the heart of Aviemore. Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms with en-suite facilities.

        Single Rooms

        There is no supplement charged to solo travellers, however, you will be required to share a room with another person of the same sex. If you request a double room for single occupancy, a supplement of £220 is charged.

        Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, single supplements are limited and are allocated on a first come first served basis.

        Meals Read More

        This trip includes most meals, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 4, except for dinner on Day 2. Dinners are two courses as standard.

        Great food is paramount on all Wilderness Scotland trips, and we will enjoy excellent regional cooking throughout this all-inclusive trip. Of course, dietary requirements can be catered for; just let us know at the time of booking.

        Inclusions Read More
        • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide throughout.
        • Three nights accommodation in a 4 star Guest House on a B&B basis.
        • All meals, as stated in the itinerary.
        • Ride snacks and drinks.
        • Four days of gravel bike hire/rental included
        Grading Read More

        Our green-graded gravel biking holidays are suitable for people new to gravel biking but with some previous road cycling experience and a reasonable level of fitness. The itineraries are designed to be active yet accessible, with plenty of opportunities for instruction, sightseeing, relaxation, and great riding.

        You can expect 3 – 5 hours of saddle time each day, with the odd longer day. The distances covered will typically be between 20 – 45 km/15 – 30 miles each day. Due to the nature of gravel riding, the trail surfaces can vary. On these trips, we’ll mostly be on quiet minor roads and wide hardpacked forest tracks, but there will be the occasional narrower section with looser gravel, stones, or sand. The gravel bikes have drop handlebars, so it’s important to be comfortable riding with them.

        Travel - Arrival and Departure Read More

        You will be met by your Wilderness Scotland Guide at Aviemore Railway Station at 11:30am on Day 1 of your trip. The trip will conclude at Aviemore Railway Station at 1:00pm on the final day.

        Aviemore Railway Station is on the East Coast Main Line, which has direct trains from Edinburgh, York and London. Regular trains run throughout the day.

        Speak to an Expert

        Chris Page

        Our friendly office team hail from across the world but share a passion for the outdoor and wild spaces of Scotland. We are committed to providing you with the best customer service and are more than happy to chat through options and provide help and advice. Get in touch to find your perfect adventure.

        Ask Chris a Question

        Difficulty Grades Explained

        Our green-graded gravel biking holidays are suitable for people new to gravel biking but with some previous road cycling experience and a reasonable level of fitness. The itineraries are designed to be active yet accessible, with plenty of opportunities for instruction, sightseeing, relaxation, and great riding.

        You can expect 3 – 5 hours of saddle time each day, with the odd longer day. The distances covered will typically be between 20 – 45 km/15 – 30 miles each day. Due to the nature of gravel riding, the trail surfaces can vary. On these trips, we’ll mostly be on quiet minor roads and wide hardpacked forest tracks, but there will be the occasional narrower section with looser gravel, stones, or sand. The gravel bikes have drop handlebars, so it’s important to be comfortable riding with them.

        Find Out More

        Our holidays reviewed
        in your own words

        It was an experience of a lifetime. My husband had never done anything like this before and was lamenting before the trip about how he had let himself be talked into such a thing. He enjoyed it immensely, in spite of the weather conditions and being worried about my injury. We learned things about ourselves and saw a country from a very intimate perspective. We consider ourselves very lucky to have been able to walk the WHW together and would recommend Wilderness Scotland without hesitation.

        Judi Florence
        Self Guided - West Highland Way
        Reviewed on 08/10/2018

        Rated 4.90 out of 5 based on 7,696 reviews

        Read More Reviews
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