Gravel · United Kingdom
Ballater to Gairnshiel Circular
A hilly 32 km gravel loop from Ballater, Aberdeenshire through Bridge of Gairn, Crathie and Easter Balmoral, with 374 m of climbing. Most of it (27.3 km) is on main roads without a cycle lane, 8.5 km where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Mixed surface: 87% is mapped as paved and 13% as gravel or unpaved.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides for confident riders at ease in traffic
- Distance
- 31.7 km
- Elevation gain
- 374 m
- Riding time
- 2 h 38 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike with sturdy tyres, or gravel bike
- Surface
- Mixed surface
- Traffic
- Mostly main roads
- Food & water
- Longest gap 18 km
- Best months
- Jun to Aug
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Ballater
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 374 m
- 32 km
Route description
- Ballater
- Bridge of Gairn
- Crathie
- Easter Balmoral
- Mains of Abergeldie
- Knock
- Ardmeanach
- Milton of Brackley
- Bridge of Muick
- Ballater
Starting in Ballater, this 31.7 km circular route heads east passing Bridge of Gairn at 1.9 km. The first notable climb begins at 3.2 km, lasting 3.2 km up to 328 m with an average gradient of 2.6% and a maximum of 4.9%. The route continues to Crathie at 18.3 km and Easter Balmoral at 19.3 km. The second climb starts at 11 km on the outward leg, measuring 2.6 km with an average of 4.8% and reaching 475 m elevation.
The majority of the ride is on main roads, covering 27.3 km mainly on the B976 for 19 km and the A939 for 7.5 km. About 13% of the route is on gravel or unpaved tracks, totaling 3.7 km. The route also features the longest descent of 4.7 km beginning at 13.7 km and dropping 195 m. There is a continuous 18.3 km stretch without cafés, shops, or water from Ballater to Crathie. Facilities are available at the start/finish in Ballater, including cafés, a bakery, supermarket, bike shops, and at the finish near 31.7 km.
Why ride this route?
- Tops out at 475 m, 13.6 km in.
Highlights
- Climb to 475 m high point at 13.6 km
- Passes Abergeldie Castle at 22 km
- Longest descent of 4.7 km from 13.7 km
- Near Creag nam Ban peak at 22.9 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 3.2 km | 3.2 km · 84 m · 2.6 % · max 4.9 % | 328 m |
| Unnamed climb | 11 km | 2.6 km · 126 m · 4.8 % · max 8.3 % | 475 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
This is not a cycle-track route: 86% is on main roads without a cycle lane, 8.5 km of it where the limit is 80 km/h or more. Riders should be comfortable sharing the road with faster traffic.
- Roads
- 86% main road · 12% track · 2% other roads and tracks
- Main roads
- 27.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane — likely busier
- Fast roads
- 8.5 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Main roads used
- B976 (19 km), A939 (8 km)
- Surface
- Mixed surface: 87% is mapped as paved and 13% as gravel or unpaved.
- Gradient
- 30% climbing · 28% descending · 41% flat
- Steep sections
- 1.3 km over 5% · 0.5 km over 8% · steepest 500 m averages 15.7% at 0 km
- Longest descent
- 4.7 km from 13.7 km, dropping 195 m
Food, water and services
The longest stretch without a café, shop or water is 18 km, from the start. Along the route: 17 cafés and restaurants, 3 shops, 1 public toilet and 2 bike shops.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 0 kmOrka Artisa Cafe & Bistro · café · 330 m off route
- 0 kmCo-op Food · supermarket · 350 m off route
- 0 kmBike Station Ballater · bike shop · 340 m off route
- 0 kmBallater Clinic · clinic · 450 m off route
- 18.3 kmThe Highlanders Bakehouse · café · 380 m off route
- 31.4 kmToilets · 110 m off route
- 31.6 kmCycle Highlands · bike shop · 370 m off route
- 31.7 kmThe Green Cafe · café · 230 m off route
- 31.7 kmDavidsons Chemists · pharmacy · 250 m off route
Worth a stop
- 22 km — Abergeldie Castle (castle)
- 29.8 km — Scurriestone (archaeological site)
Start and access
At the start and finish
- Bikes and repair
- Bike Station Ballater (340 m), Cycle Highlands (400 m)
- Food and coffee
- Orka Artisa Cafe & Bistro (330 m), Byron Bakery (340 m), The Green Cafe (560 m)
- Shops
- Co-op Food (350 m)
Know before you go
- 18.3 km without café, shop or water from 0 to 18.3 km
- 27.3 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 8.5 km on roads with 80 km/h speed limit
- 3.7 km on gravel or unpaved track