The Blackwater & The Ciaran Path

A hidden gem! A challenging mountain bike route through some wild and committing terrain.

The route starts with the tarmac climb to Mamore Lodge. Once at the lodge, hang a right on the dirt track out towards Luibeilt. All in all, it’s a long (long) hard climb to “Rob Roy View” (opening scences from the Liam Neeson film were shot here) at about 415m above sea level. Descend from the high point towards Loch Eilde Mor but turn off right onto a small singletrack path part way down the hill. This takes you to the head of the loch and a small dam.

From here, there’s an old access track next to the pipeline which feeds into the Blackwater Reservoir. Follow this, or a path which runs along side it, all the way out to the Blackwater. When the track becomes vague, as it does from time to time, it’s often easier hopping onto the pipeline itself.

Once out at the dam there’s a couple of options.

If you’re flagging after a fairly tough ride out, then you need to cross over to the Landrover track on the other side of the dam and follow this relatively easy return to Kinlochleven. Crossing the dam itself is taboo these days. So, instead look below the dam for a safe path – generally very easy unless it’s been pouring for days on end!

Enjoy the last steep section from the penstock, which is the bottom of the Devil’s Staircase ride. Watch out for trials bikes, Landrovers and West Highland Way walkers on this section.

However, if you’re going well and fancy some classic off-road riding then head back along the path from the dam itself and look for the left turn. This is the Ciaran Path, and offers some technical and challenging mountain biking all the way back to the village. There’s a real mixture of gradients and terrain, from superb flowing singletrack, bedrock drop offs and big bouldery rock gardens.

The Blackwater Photo Gallery

A selection of photos taken on the classic off road mountain bike ride at the back of Kinlochleven, close to Glencoe. This route climbs the road to Mamore Lodge, and then on to Rob Roy View. Heading off the Landrover track to Loch Eilde Mor, the route then follows the contour of the pipeline feeding the Blackwater Reservoir. From here on the going gets a little rougher and tougher, as it joins the Ciaran Path down the Leven Valley, past the old German POW camp and finally back into Kinlochleven.

: A tough climb but for this section at least, the smooth tarmac makes life that bit easier. The Pap of Glencoe is visible in the distance.

: Autumn colours on the road to Mamore Lodge.

: Take a moment to catch a breath and enjoy the view back over Loch Leven to the Pap of Glencoe.

: Peeling off some layers at Mamore Lodge, above Kinlochleven.

: Past Mamore Lodge and heading towards the Gamekeepers Lodge.

: Nearing Rob Roy View but still climbing. The view down Loch Leven to the Pap of Glencoe gradually reveals itself.

: Loose rain washed gravel and a steep gradient make the climb tough going.

: Nearly at the top. Surely?

: So called 'Rob Roy View' as this is the spot where the opening credits to the film Rob Roy starring Liam Neeson was filmed in the late 90s.

: How can you tell if its safe to cross a nasty looking bog? Easy, send Gregor ahead and if he disappears up to his waste find an alternative crossing!

: Crossing the dam at Loch Eilde Mor to start following the feed pipe all the way to Blackwater Reservoir.

: This is what we came for!

: As the track crosses the hillside, take time to stop and take in the fairly impressive view.

: The view back to the start point in Kinlochleven, with Loch Leven beyond. Early season snow just visible on the Aonach Eagach ridge.

: Heading off into the distance. At this point the track is clearly separate and slightly higher than the pipeline, but the 2 do merge from time to time.

: Once the final descent path is passed, a corner is turned and the Blackwater Dam becomes visible in the distance.

: Heading out into the middle of nowhere now. The pipeline is clearly visible here.

: Definitely the middle of nowhere now.

: Whilst some sections of the track are nice and dry, even after heavy rain, some are definitely not.

: And then in the middle of nowhere you stumble across the Star Gate. Stand on this and you risk being teleported across the galaxy.

: The final view to the west before reaching the junction with the Ciaran Path, just short of the Blackwater Reservoir. Then the fun begins!

: From the junction with the pipeline, the Ciaran Path drops sharply, and this upper section is the steepest and roughest. Mostly excellent biking, but before the giant death cookies.

: A couple of spectacular waterfalls cross the Ciaran Path.

: ... perfect mountain biking.

: Dry today, but in wet weather chances are that there will be a lot more water pouring over this.

: The last sections of track are some of the best for mountain biking.

: Once at the site of the former German prisoner of war camp, the trail begins to really flow and from here to the end of the Ciaran Path in Kinlochleven the mountain biking is excellent.