We advise arriving in Inverness the day before the tour start date to make sure any flight or luggage delays don’t spoil your adventure.
Your guide will meet you in Inverness the following morning, and we have a handy guide on how to spend 24 hours in Inverness.
Your guide will collect you from your accommodation in Inverness and transfer you to the H+I Adventures base where you will meet the rest of your group for this adventure.
After coffee, cake and a brief overview of the tour ahead we’ll take some time to introduce you to your E-MTB (if you are renting) and fine tune it to your liking.
Loaded and ready to rock and roll we’ll head south with our van and trailer to the mountain town of Aviemore where we will have a short afternoon ride through ancient pine forests that sit in the shadow of the Cairngorm Mountain Range. Threading between the majestic Scots pine trees this labyrinth of hidden singletrack is an ideal introduction to mountain biking on Scottish terrain.
With legs suitably stretched and bikes dialled in, we’ll ride back to our accommodation for a hot shower and then head to one of our favourite restaurants to sample the local cuisine.
After a hearty Highland breakfast you’ll take a short drive to one of the more remote glens of the Cairngorms National Park; Glenfeshie.
The glen is home to both stunning views and some fantastic singletrack that weaves through lush green forest.
As the day progresses the environment gets wilder and increasingly remote. Climbing up above the vast glen, with the river far below, you’ll find a classic Cairngorm descent; fast flowing and with just enough technical challenge to make sure you stay focused after a long day on the bike.
With dirt-covered smiles you’ll head back to your accommodation to get freshened up before a short walk to another wonderful Scottish dinner.
This morning is where the adventure truly begins!
Using the capabilities of your e-mountain bike to the max you’ll traverse the Cairngorms from west to east, riding through forests, stunning wide-open glens and along ancient river beds as you go.
A big breakfast will set you up for the day, and as you wave goodbye to your accommodation (and suitcase!) you’ll spend the day riding away from the western Cairngorms as you track rivers and forests all whilst making your way east towards Royal Deeside and Aberdeenshire.
We’ll stop for lunch (and a fresh battery!) in the highest village in Scotland, which will replenish your energy levels for the shorter afternoon ride.
Heading away from civilisation once again and into the craggy V-shaped valleys and open moorland of Royal Deeside you will eventually finish your day’s ride near the beautiful Balmoral Castle where King Charles enjoys his summer months.
A short van transfer will bring you to your accommodation for the next few nights. A well-earned hot shower awaits followed by a short walk (downstairs!) to dinner which will be served in the cosy atmosphere of the hotel’s restaurant.
A proper Scottish breakfast is high on the “must-do” list this morning because, today, you’ll be carrying your spare battery with you.
You’ll ride directly from the front door of your accommodation and head out along estate tracks into one of the most beautiful glens in Royal Deeside. From here you have a challenging climb up Mount Keen before a very fast, rocky and open descent through a steep-sided valley.
You’ll drop into a secret Scottish glen, home to a royal bothy, where we’ll stop for a breather and some lunch. After a packed lunch and battery change we’ll take an ancient mountain pass that has been used as a passage for thousands of years connecting the east coast with Royal Deeside. Cattle would be driven high across the hill before dropping towards the ferry man at Aboyne – which is our final destination of the day.
A final fling around some secret singletrack above the village of Aboyne will take us back to the accommodation where warm showers and a hearty dinner await.
A short drive after breakfast will take you to the start of today’s ride.
We have a scenic climb up and away from Loch Muick, which will see you dropping into another spectacular and wild glen. The descent into the glen is fast, technical and rewarding with glorious views all around you.
After lunch we’ll climb past an old mountain bothy before racing for the valley floor on some rocky, techy singletrack, leading to Loch Callater.
A short pedal along an old military road will take us to a traditional Scottish hunting lodge where you will swap your E-MTB for a well-earned drink and some dinner.
After breakfast you will have a short drive before we unload the e-mountain bikes and head back into Cairngorm wilderness!
Starting in ancient Caledonian pine forest along the riverside you’ll soon venture into remote glens and high moorlands. Climbing up through heather-lined hill paths that get increasingly rocky you’ll find yourself on a high mountain plateau. Your destination is the summit of Scotland’s 11th highest mountain, Beinn a Bhuird.
As the plateau starts to fall away from you it will reveal one of the fastest open mountain descents in Scotland. After the thrill of letting the brakes off, the trail shoulders the mountain and turns into a series of switchbacks, where timing and control are rewarded by the unmistakable feeling of perfectly executing these tight turns.
This evening we’ll learn about the craft of gin-making, and enjoy tasting some examples of the local gin, followed by a barbecue on the shores of an intriguing loch.
As a reward for all your hard work this week, pedalling and grafting through Highland backcountry on wilderness trails, we have a little treat to round off your Royal Deeside E-MTB adventure.
Tarland Trail Centre was opened to rave reviews in 2023 and is the perfect playground to round off your epic week of e-mountain biking in Scotland.
Full battery and full power will make light work of the climbs and the descents back to the car park will paste a huge grin on your face!
The nearby tearoom offers the perfect spot for lunch before heading towards to Inverness. Back at HQ you can share stories of the week and then meet for one last dinner in our favourite restaurant by the River Ness.
Sadly, this is the end of your Royal Deeside Backcounty E-MTB adventure, and time to say farewell to Scotland.
Having spent the night in Inverness you are free to leave from the train station or airport as your schedule suits. We can help you to book taxis as required.