Golspie black trail

October 5, 2007 on 2:59 pm | In Mountain Biking |

Last weekend I went to Golspie and sampled some of the finest mountain biking in Scotland. Golspie is way-way up north east, like 70 minutes North of Inverness. We had spent the week on Lewis (the Outer Hebrides) and since the Calmac ferry comes in to Ullapool, which is about 70 mins north west of Inverness we thought we’d just ‘nip across’ to Golspie as we have heard so much about the Highland Wildcat Trails. We ended up doing the black trail, which is a 13.6 km steep-steep and VERY rocky lovely trail. As you approach the real start of the climbing (and actually you have a bit to go) at the ‘Treeline’ you have an option; to take the easy way out or to do ‘Fox Farm’; a narrow single track which is the rockiest climb I have ever been on! I am sure it is the most unique of its kind in Scotland. At the start I was baffled and thought I’d never manage but after a while I quite enjoyed the challenge. I find the bunny hop style to get over steep rock uphill very hard! After you rech the summit you have a proper downhill single track all the way home! And it is LONG!

The track has a superb sea view all the way and its very tranquil in a proper pine forrest setting, reminds me of Sweden! The downhill bit was very challenging sometiems, but most of the super big drop offs has red options to escape on to. I hade a great day and stiff muscles for about three days! More on the trails: www.highlandwildcat.com.  I’ll be back and next time I hope to make a full weekend of it and tie in with some great rock climbing at the Camel. Cheers, Jenny

Jenny Glumoff
http://www.visitscotland.com/adventure
Main activity sport climbing but love all types of climbing, surfing, mountain biking and hill walking!