Barry and Margaret Williamson

Both these circular rides start from the Caravan Club Site in Kinlochewe in Glen Torridon. Short but strenuous, they take place among some of Scotland's most magnificent mountain scenery.

Torridon - Diabaig Quay and Return 67 km (42 miles)

The climbing begins 4 km (2.5 miles) after Torridon village. The road reaches nearly 1,000 ft with gradients up to 1 in 4 in places. There is a clear summit col and a steep drop into the small hamlet of Diabaig. The only facilities we saw were a shop in Torridon village and a toilet on the Torridon campsite. The National Trust Visitor Centre in Torridon Village (and the nearby Deer Museum) are worth a stop. The ride gives magnificent views of all the mountains around Glen Torridon and views of Applecross and Skye, It can be shortened to suit the fitness of the rider (for example, don't drop down into Diabaig unless you are sure you can get out again!).

Achnashellach Station and Achnasheen 60 km (37 miles)

Leave Kinlochewe in the direction of Torridon. Turn left after 5 km (3 miles) on an obvious minor road over a good bridge. The road is marked 'private', 'footpath only', 'no cars' but there doesn't seem to be a problem riding bikes. The path is well-signposted past the 'big house' - cross the river on the second bridge, (not the first bridge which leads to the house). After a couple of kilometres the road forks just outside a large house undergoing major renovation. Take the right fork (the left fork leads to another house). Follow the track (which we found rideable throughout, but sometimes only just) on a long climb up the valley to a clearly-defined col, through a deer gate and then steeply down through the forest to the main road nearly 2 km east of Achnashellach Station which is 22 km (14 miles) from Kinlochewe. We visited the station but it has no facilities. Follow Glen Carron up to Achnasheen in a further 21 km (13 miles). Here there is a post office/sweet shop and a hotel serving coffee, the only facilities we saw on the ride. Riding towards Kinlochewe, the road is level along Loch a Chroisg but this is followed by a long climb to a col before a long freewheel down to Kinlochewe in 16 km (10 miles). Trains run from Achnashellach Station to Achnasheen, simplifying the ride for some.