Highland Pony
Ballater
Joseph North
100 km
Summary
105Km cycling event starting from Ballater.
Controls at
- Start
- Braemar
- Red House
- Ballater
- Plus 2 information controls
Description
104km cycling event, starting at Ballater. Control at Braemar, checkpoint at Red Lodge and 2 information controls. Follow in the path of Queen Victoria, around Royal Deeside and enjoy 55km of gravel estate roads. Checkpoint refreshments, a prize draw and a souvenir from a charitable organisation included in the entry fee.
For those who undertook this ride in 2025, there are several differences, amounting to around 15km total. More scenic views, more huts and more gentle off-road are now included. The route now ends at Ballater, rather than continuing to Dinnet and returning via the cycle path.
You should have a bicycle, spare clothing and tools suitable for dealing with the terrain. A mountain bike or gravel bike are recommended. The estate roads are generally well-maintained gravel tracks with some tarmac sections, but they are not public tarmac roads. As the route uses road sections and estate sections on opposite sides of the same valley, it is possible to reduce the off-road sections by 10km. A spare tyre, warm layer and cycling shoes you can walk in are recommended. You may be up to 8km from a public road, with limited phone signal.
This Audax is part of the Ballater weekend rides, which will explore the challenging climbs, history and culinary highlights of Royal Deeside and the surrounding area. Plenty of nearby accommodation: bothies, campsites and hotels. Ballater Hostel is reserved for Audax UK and Rough Stuff Fellowship members on Friday 2 October and Saturday 3 October.
Read More
For those who undertook this ride in 2025, there are several differences, amounting to around 15km total. More scenic views, more huts and more gentle off-road are now included. The route now ends at Ballater, rather than continuing to Dinnet and returning via the cycle path.
You should have a bicycle, spare clothing and tools suitable for dealing with the terrain. A mountain bike or gravel bike are recommended. The estate roads are generally well-maintained gravel tracks with some tarmac sections, but they are not public tarmac roads. As the route uses road sections and estate sections on opposite sides of the same valley, it is possible to reduce the off-road sections by 10km. A spare tyre, warm layer and cycling shoes you can walk in are recommended. You may be up to 8km from a public road, with limited phone signal.
This Audax is part of the Ballater weekend rides, which will explore the challenging climbs, history and culinary highlights of Royal Deeside and the surrounding area. Plenty of nearby accommodation: bothies, campsites and hotels. Ballater Hostel is reserved for Audax UK and Rough Stuff Fellowship members on Friday 2 October and Saturday 3 October.
Event Date and Location
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Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2026 Add Event to my Personal Calendar
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Time: 08:30 to finish by 18:02
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Distance: 100 km (105 km) in 9h32
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Starting from: Ballater
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Closing Date: Thu, 17 Sept 2026
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Entries close at: 50 riders
Event Information
Speed:
11-25 km/h
Climb:
1130m
AAA:
0
Category:
BP
Body:
Four Corners Audax
Audax Points:
1
Event No:
26-775
Facilities
Toilets at Start
GPS files available from organiser
Mudguards not required
Camping near start
Secur(ish) luggage storage at start
Parking at start
Free or reasonably priced refreshments at start &/or finish
Downloads
The organiser may only provide these to event entrants