The Lairig Ghru is the best known hill-pass in Scotland. It climbs to an altitude of 835 metres and crosses through the central Cairngorms, one of the wildest areas in the country, and is a true classic trail. It is described from Speyside to Deeside. The route passes a number of Munros and boasts stunning views as you climb above the virgin forest. The route is largely single track, but also has a km of boulder field. While there is a race that includes this route, there are parts of the race that are not included in the traditional trail. 

Roughly 36 miles of technical 4x4 road existing predominantly at 9,000ft and 8,000ft of elevation. Never going above 9,600ft and never going below 6,000ft. This route has about twice as much decent than it does elevation gain. It has just under 10,000ft of loss and 5,800ft of gain according to my watch. Starting at the visitor center of Mauna Kea the road wraps around the back of the volcano and descends the western slope to 6,000ft connecting to the old saddle road. This is one of the toughest point to point runs Iv experienced on the island as it is a harsh environment but very runnable.

This route links a set of remote, backcountry trails into a 50 km crossing of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. From the Footprints Trailhead at the park's western boundary at 3000 ft, you make a long descent to the ocean, then cross grasslands and lava fields to arrive at the park's easternmost trailhead at Pu'u Loa on Chain of Craters Road. The route is wild, and windswept, and can get very hot, and you'll encounter very few people along the way.

Details: