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A gem of a ride, following the Musdale road all the way to its top (and just over), before picking up a gravel track which lead through fords to connects to a tarmac track to Loch Nant. Riding such a smooth track through the middle of nowhere is a treat. The road between Kilchrenan and Taynuilt sometimes sees the odd truck, but the road along Glen Lonan back to Oban is generally pretty much empty.
There is an optional alternative (shown in pink on the map) which goes past the wind farm on Beinn Glas. The track on the north side is good and rideable. Good track continues south into the forest, and a forest break leads down to (or up from) the tarmac track near Loch Nant.
Start point: Oban town centre
Distance: 54 km
Elevation gain: 890 m
How rough? (1-10): 4
Eating/drinking: Taynuilt stores
Description:
From Oban town centre, follow the A816 towards Lochgilphead, turning left at the church (signed Glencruitten). Follow this road out of town, passing the golf course and over a hill to reach a T-junction (3.7 km).
Turn right (signed Kilmore), following the road over the hill, along the shores of Loch Nell.
600 m after leaving the shore of Loch Nell, take the left turn signed to Musdale. Follow this road up to its summit (after 7 km), and carry on a further few hundred metres down the other side, to a left turn on a track.
Immediately cross a ford, and follow the track (rough at times) for nearly 2.5 km, with a steep loose climb to reach the level of a pipeline.
Just after reaching the top of the hill, bear left on a much better track, tarmac at times. Follow this track to reach Loch Nant after around 5 km, around its southern shore before heading NE around Loch an Droighinn, eventually picking up the windfarm road and reaching the B845 just N of Kilchrenan.
Turn left (N) on the B845, climbing for around 2 km and then down Glen Nant to Taynuilt after a further 8 km.
Turn left (W) on the A85 through the village (footpath) for 1 km.
At the village centre, turn left (S) just before the Taynuilt Hotel to head up Glen Lonan. Follow the road for 15 km to reach a T-junction. Oban is signposted right and then left, reversing the initial section of the ride.
The rough tarmac road to Loch Nant
The gravel track connecting the road at Musdale to the Glen Nant tarmac track
Miles of "off road" tarmac around Loch Nant
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