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Royal
Deeside Backcountry: Tour Itinerary

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The itinerary for our Royal Deeside Backcountry E-MTB adventure in Scotland is designed to give you a proper wilderness experience that will challenge you and your e-mountain bike. Big days in the saddle will be rewarded with tremendous local food and drink, and welcoming accommodations.

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. After coffee, cake and our all-important pre-trip briefing we’ll take time to build bikes or introduce you to your Yeti Cycles E-MTB (if you are renting) and fine tune it to your liking.

Once ready we’ll head south to the mountain town of Aviemore where we will enjoy an 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 the 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.

Accommodation:
Small guest house, Aviemore
30
kms
3
hrs
640
m
640
m

After a hearty Highland breakfast we’ll ride straight from our cosy accommodation in the heart of Aviemore. Today your guide will lead you on a journey through the forests and villages of the Cairngorms National Park. We’ll sample different styles of trail and gradually increase the level of challenge throughout the day.  

The local riding community have been hard at work building singletrack gold and today, we’ll connect farmland to forest and uncover the area’s best kept trail secrets. After sampling some of your guide’s favourite trails, you’ll have the chance to re-fuel with tea and cake, or something more filling, in the picturesque village of Carrbridge. We’ll then progress onto the enduro style trails of Aviemore. With roots, rocks and loamy dirt, these trails highlight what makes the Cairngorms such a special place to ride. A good mix of flow and tech will leave you tired but exhilarated – and ready for another wonderful Scottish dinner later that evening.

Accommodation:
Small guest house, Aviemore
Meals included:
Breakfast
40
kms
6
hrs
730
m
730
m

This morning is where the adventure truly begins!

Using the full capability of your E-MTB, 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 we wave goodbye to Aviemore and spend the day riding towards Royal Deeside and Aberdeenshire. This Cairngorms traverse requires us to manage our battery levels as we maximise what’s possible on an E-MTB.  

After a morning of stunning singletrack, we’ll stop for lunch (and a fresh battery!) in the highest village in Scotland and replenish our energy levels for the shorter afternoon ride.

Heading away from civilization 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, where a well-earned hot shower awaits. Dinner this evening will be served in the cosy atmosphere of the hotel’s restaurant.

Accommodation:
Traditional riverside inn, Aboyne
Meals included:
Breakfast
76
kms
8
hrs
909
m
847
m

After our epic traverse the day before, we’ll have a slightly later start this morning as we get ready to explore the enduro-capital of the East-Coast. Riding straight from our accommodation, we’ll explore ‘both sides of the village’ to discover everything Aboyne has to offer! 

Aboyne has quickly become the hottest UK destination for natural trails, and for good reason! Lockdowns in 2021 and 2022 brought veteran trail builders out of retirement and now, the village has a prolific network of world class enduro trails. From ‘Relishing’ the flow trails to the south of the village to becoming a ‘Rockhopper’ on the techy trails in the north; this day will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

Accomodation:
Traditional riverside inn, Aboyne
Meals included:
Breakfast
32
kms
5
hrs
660
m
660
m

After breakfast and a short drive, we’ll unload our bikes and head back into Cairngorm wilderness! Our ride starts by following a flowing river through the spectacular ancient Caledonian pine forest you will recognise from your first few rides. We will then venture into the remote glens and high moorlands of the area. We’ll climb up through heather-lined hill paths that get increasingly rocky and find ourselves on a high mountain plateau, with the summit of Beinn a Bhuird in our sights.

As we return, the plateau starts to fall away and 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. Timing and control are rewarded by the unmistakable feeling of perfectly executing these tight turns.

This evening we’ll enjoy  dinner in a traditional Scottish hunting lodge. This place is steeped in history, serves fantastic food and is the perfect place to round off another epic day together.

Accommodation:
Traditional riverside inn, Aboyne
Meals included:
Breakfast
30
kms
6
hrs
1020
m
984
m

Today’s ride begins with a scenic climb that leads us up high above Loch Muick, where we will be rewarded with another spectacular descent into a wild glen.  With glorious views all around, we’ll drop into this fast and technical descent down to the lochside. 

After lunch, you have the option to take time off the bike to explore the beautiful village of Braemar, or you can join your guide for another great local ride of around 1.5 hours.

This evening we have a very special treat for you! We’ll learn all about the craft of gin-making, and enjoy tasting some examples of local gins, followed by a barbecue on the shores of an intriguing loch. With our own private spot on the banks of the loch, this is the perfect way to celebrate.

Accommodation:
Traditional riverside inn, Aboyne
Meals included:
Breakfast + dinner
25
kms
4
hrs
820
m
820
m

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. With a full battery fitted and the power turned up, our E-MTB’s will make light work of the climbs to the top, and the descents back downhill paste a huge grin on your face!

The nearby tearoom offers the perfect spot for lunch before heading back to Inverness. After a freshen up at our city centre accommodation, we’ll head for one last dinner together in our favourite restaurant by the River Ness.

Accommodation:
B&B in Inverness
Meals included:
Breakfast
30 - 40
kms
2 - 3
hrs
1300
m
1300
m

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.

Meals included:
Breakfast
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