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Description:-
The Gaick Pass runs between Dalnacardoch and Kingussie, parallel to the Drumochter Pass.
The majority of the route is on landrover track, with only the small section through Gaick itself on singletrack. Consequently it's not a technical route, but it is a fairly easy way to get yourself into a remote place.
Starting at Dalnacardoch, cross the A9 at tag 1 and go through the gate onto the hardpacked landrover track that gently climbs the hill. At tag 2 follow the track up the hill through the trees and keep climbing gently, bearing left at tag 3. You get a little respite from the climb when you emerge from the trees, and a view of the long gradual climb ahead of you up into the pass. Bear right at tag 4 and start the long but easy angled climb on the track up into the pass.
The track is hardpacked all the way to tag 5 where you cross the river on a concrete bridge. The track is a little rougher beyond here to Sronphadruig Lodge, but still easy going. You cross the river again using another bridge, then at tag 6 turn off the track and ford your way across the river again to pick up the singletrack at the south end of Loch an Duin.
From here follow the singletrack through the pass itself. It's fairly easy going and level. The sideslope provides the only difficulties and even then it's straightforward enough.
At the north end of the loch the singletrack tends to fade away a bit, but it's easy enough to figure out the route - just find yourself an easy spot to cross the burn that empties Loch an Duin. This was straightforward enough in the summer when I was there, but it may be a different proposition after a prolonged wet spell or snowmelt.
Once you cross, there's an obvious track to follow as you continue north. This time it's not as smooth as the one on the south side of the loch, with the odd section here and there with a lot of rubble on top. The good news is that the gradient is now generally downhill all the way to the end.
There's another burn to cross at tag 7 which should be quite easy, at which point the track starts to get a little smoother along the shores of Loch Bhrodainn. The last potential difficulty is fording the Allt Gharbh Ghaig at tag 8. Again when I was here it was wide, but very shallow, and easy enough to ride across.
From here you're back onto smooth hardpacked landrover track as you pass Gaick Lodge and along the shores of Loch an t-Seilich, and once you get to tag 9 you hit tarmac.
Now it's a straightforward run down through Glen Tromie, with the gentle slope making it easy to keep a good pace.
At Tromie Bridge at tag 10 turn left onto the B970 towards the remains of Ruthven Barracks, and just as you pass here, turm right at tag 11, cross under the A9 and arrive at Kingussie.