Scotland Bikepacking - Sisters in the Wild, Cairngorms, Aviemore

A wild bikepacking adventure through the Cairngorms National Park over five days, building on Sisters in the Wild's Scotland Gravel Camps and heading deeper into the Highlands. Wild camping, loch swims, secret bothies and a lakeshore hostel reachable only by bike or on foot, on what the organisers call one of the finest gravel routes in the UK. Around 235km in total, about 70 to 80% off-road, rated 3 out of 5 for challenge. Sisters in the Wild trips are for women and FLINTA riders.

No previous bikepacking experience is needed, and all camping and bikepacking gear can be loaned. You do need solid off-road riding experience and to be ready for daily distances of around 60km fully loaded. The route has few shortcut options.

Day 1, meet in Aviemore (15km, 200m climbing): meet around 3pm for gear fitting and packing support, then a local shakedown ride. Dinner together and a night at Aviemore YHA.

Day 2, Aviemore to wild camp (60km, 800m up, 700m down): hostel breakfast, then off-road trails into the Glen Feshie estate along the River Feshie, a climb with some walking, and an afternoon of loch hopping on gravel roads. Wild camp and camp dinner.

Day 3, wild camp to Loch Ossian Hostel (60km, 700m up, 700m down): camp breakfast, then loch hopping towards the southern edge of the national park, with a chance to resupply or visit the pub in a village on the way. Over the pass to the Scottish Youth Hostels hostel on the shore of Loch Ossian. Dinner at Corrour Station House, at the UK's highest railway station, is included.

Day 4, Loch Ossian to wild camp (60km, 50m up, 650m down): coffee and breakfast at Corrour Station, maybe after a morning dip, then around Loch Ossian and over towards Loch Laggan on lakeshore gravel, with cake at Caoldair Cafe if time allows. Final wild camp and dinner.

Day 5, wild camp to Aviemore (30km, 300m up, 300m down): local trails linking the Speyside villages, a last dip at Loch Insh, and a toast at the Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore. The aim is to be back for lunch and ready to travel home by 3pm, with shortcuts if you need to leave sooner.

Bikes: a gravel bike with tyres of at least 42mm and good grip, or a rigid or hardtail mountain bike. A hardtail can help newer off-road riders build confidence. Bring your own or hire locally in Aviemore, where gravel and MTB hire can be arranged.

Included: British Cycling and First Aid qualified Sisters in the Wild guides, the breakfasts and dinners listed in the itinerary, one night at Aviemore YHA, one night at Loch Ossian Hostel and two nights wild camping (no bathrooms on the wild camp nights), curated Komoot routes and briefings with a free map bundle, and access to the gear library (camping gear, bikepacking bags and navigation devices can be added to your booking).

Not included: travel to and from Aviemore, lunch and snacks, bike hire, basic tools and spares, and travel insurance, which is mandatory and must cover multi-day cycling, medical emergency, repatriation, cancellation and public liability.

Group size: maximum 8 riders, minimum 5 for the trip to run.

Price and booking: £695. These dates are open for pre-registration on the Sisters in the Wild website.

Source: https://sistersinthewild.com/events/scotland-bikepacking