Glen Isla to Glen Prosen

A demanding mountain bike route in the Angus Glens, some road sections.

The route starts in forest in Glen Isla, then climbs up Glen Finlet and crosses to Glen Prosen. A short section must be walked. Return to the start is via Glen Uig. Anyone who has children, or who wants an easier day, could explore the forest trails at the start of the route. The difficult section is crossing over the high pass between the glens, other parts of the route are mostly not difficult.

Route Description

Start on the B951 just east of Kirkton of Glenisla. To get to this from the south go through Blairgowrie to Alyth. After this follow signs for Glen Isla. The start of the route is a short distance after a lodge (Highland Adventure Outdoor Centre) and is signposted Glenmarkie Farm Riding Centre.

Follow the track and bear right over the river. At a small car park with a cross country skiing route, turn left into the forest. Climb past Loch Shandra, open hillside to the left. As the climb steepens you approach a white cottage then you enter the forest again. The trail gradually levels off, and you meet a crossroads. If you are not doing the full route you could explore here, otherwise keep straight on.

The route sweeps round to the east descending rapidly to a small concrete bridge. Immediately after the bridge turn sharp left up Glen Finlet - a gentle climb. Keep right on to the end of the track in Glen Finlet, passing an end of trail sign for skiers. It ends in a small glade with a burn running through. Dismount and push your bike, following the burn to the edge of the forest. You will need to cross the burn at several points but this is not difficult. Climb over the stile to open hillside.

At the sign erected by the Scottish Rights of Way Society turn right and push your bike uphill, keeping the deer fence on your right-hand side. After a little bear left to climb over the col to descend to Glen Prosen. This part is not bikeable, but after you have descended for a little the rocky hillside gives way to mixed grass and heather which you may be able to ride down. Go straight down the hill to the river (Prosen Water), the high corrie of White Glen to the left.

At the river follow the right bank downstream. A grassy surface gives way to a rough track. Eventually you encounter a big steel gate, go through this to a forest road. Go down this fast bumpy track, crossing the river to the public road at Glenprosen Lodge. A sign here gives notice of deer-stalking periods, access to the hills may be restricted at certain times, 12 August to 20 October is best avoided. Continue down the public road keeping to the right bank of the river.

A left turn over a bridge leads to Prosen Village which has a tea room. Keep on the west bank of the river, following signs for Lednathie and Pearsie. After passing Glen Prosen Village there is a very steep uphill climb, followed by a shorter descent. At a sharp left bend in the public road, turn right for Glen Uig, signed Wester Lednathie. There is a very hilly section then the road becomes a track. Shortly after this there is a fork in the track, take the left fork and descend to the burn, the deep 'V' of the pass ahead. Turn left here to a grassy track passing through a wooden gate. Ignore the other path at the top of the glen which climbs steeply up a hill. This section is bikeable but requires care. After a few miles and a splash across a burn the track meets a minor road. Turn right on to the minor road and keep on going south until you meet the B951 just north of the Loch of Lintrathen. Turn right, following the sign for Glen Isla. At the next crossroads at Dykend keep straight on to return to the start.