Forth Road Bridge & Dalmeny

National Cycle Network CYCLE MAP Go Traffic Free in

The Central Highlands, and The SCOTLAND Overview Good Cycling Code

Use this booklet to follow safe and attractive walking Obey the rules of the road and cycling options in the Central Highlands, Argyll, Be courteous and The Trossachs. It shows the main traffic-free l Give way to pedestrians sections on the National Cycle Network, Regional l Remember that some people are hard of hearing or visually impaired Routes and key local routes. Use it to plan your l Where there are wheelchair users or horse riders, please (carbon-free) trips around and out of town. See how give way far and easily you can travel without a car. l Ring a bell in good time or politely call out to warn of your For information on cycle routes across Scotland, approach see ’ Routes2Ride website – you can also Care for the environment l Can you reach the start of your journey by bike or public add your own routes, comments and photos. transport? www.routes2ride.org.uk/scotland l Follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code; in particular, Use Ordnance Survey maps to plan your own do not damage crops, don’t disturb livestock or wildlife and routes. Contact the relevant local authorities for always take litter home more information on cycling routes in each area. Look after yourself l Take care at junctions, when cycling downhill and on loose or wet surfaces How to use this booklet l In remote areas carry food, water, repair kit, map and This booklet highlights walking and cycling routes in the following waterproofs areas: l Keep your bike roadworthy; use lights in poor visibility l Consider wearing a helmet and conspicuous clothing , Aviemore and Drumochter p4 Using public transport Fort William to p18 Why not use the train to carry you and your bike further afield or to take you home after a cycle? Bicycles can be carried on most Argyll – the Lochgilphead area p24 trains, but it is advisable to check in advance and book a place as space is limited. For rail information call 08457 48 49 50 or The Trossachs and Glen Ogle p26 visit www.thetrainline.co.uk. Bicycles can be carried on Citylink coaches, but they must be bagged or boxed. Check before Each detailed map uses the following key travelling. Phone 08705 50 50 50 or visit www.citylink.co.uk. For information on all public transport within Scotland, call Featured route Public house 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.travelinescotland.com. National Cycle Network traffic-free Cafe / Shop

National Cycle Network on-road Bike Shop Scottish Outdoor Access Code Know the Code before you go … Birdwatching Other route Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors - responsibly! Public toilets Proposed cycle route Everyone has the right to be on most Railway (station) Post office land and inland water providing they

Access point Tourist Information act responsibly. Your access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Take care point / section Castle Tourist attraction Whether you’re in the outdoors or managing the outdoors, the Steep hill / One way Signalled crossing key things are to: Caravan site / Campsite / l Youth hostel take responsibility for your own actions; l respect the interests of other people; Time: The time given to complete a route is calculated on l care for the environment. an average travelling time of 7 miles or 11 km per hour. This Find out more by visiting www.outdooraccess-scotland.com allows for a leisurely cycling pace or for plenty of stops. Times or phoning your local Scottish Natural Heritage office. and distances given for linear routes are for one way only. 1 2 Inverness, Aviemore and Drumochter

Inverness to Culloden p6 Nairn Ness Islands to Dochgarroch p8 Calvine to Dalwhinnie p10 Dalwhinnie to Kingussie p12 Culloden Aviemore to Boat of Garten p14 Boat of Garten to Slochd p16 Inverness

Highland Cycle Bus If you want to head to the North West Highlands, the Cycle Bus (and Trailer) operates between Inverness and via Ullapool from April to September. The bus can carry up to 15 bikes and is available for private hire. For more information, phone 01349 883585 or see www.timdearmancoaches.co.uk

Carrbridge Miles Monadhliath 0 5 10 15 Mountains Boat of Garten 0 5 10 15 20 25 Kilometres Aviemore

Kincraig Cairngorm Mountains

Kingussie On-road National Cycle Network section Traffic-free National Cycle Network section

Other routes Newtonmore Time: The time given to complete a route is calculated on an average travelling time of 7 miles or 11 km per hour. This allows for a leisurely cycling pace or for plenty of stops. Times and distances given for linear routes are for one way only. Whilst every effort has been made to achieve accuracy of information in this booklet at time of publication, Sustrans can take no responsibility for: loss or injury (including fatal) to Dalwhinnie persons; loss of damage to property or equipment; trespass, irresponsible riding or any other mishap that may be suffered as a result of following route descriptions in this booklet.

Map and text © Sustrans 2009 Maps are reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Contoller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office © Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence number 100020852 Blair Calvine 3 4 Inverness to Culloden 1

6 1 9 B

To Dingwall, Cromarty and John o’Groats

A96 Charlestown

Dolphin and Craigton A9 Seal Centre

Beauly 6 North One of the impressiveA 9Clava Cairns © Fergal MacErlean Firth Kessock Balloch Map 2 Firth Culloden

A9

62 6 A8 8 A9 A Newlands Caledonian A 2 B865 862 A8 B Canal Inverness 9 006 Station Inverness Museum

B A 9 9 and Art Gallery 0 0 6 Culloden Visitor Centre To Nairn, Elgin (Museums Galleries Scotland) Smithton Culloden B Muir 8

6 and 2 Inverness Inverness Culloden Battlefield 1746 B Castle Inverness Cathedral 853 (National Trust for Scotland)

B Westhill 06 9006 B90 2 2 8 6 Start/ A 8

B Start/ Finish B9006 Finish

B8 61 A9 2 6 8 2 Way B 8 0 8 B 1 6 B 8 9 B 1 7 1 7 5 8 B To Aviemore,

2 A8 Pitlochry and 2 08 B8 River Ness Leave the friendly Highland capital of Inverness to cycle by some remarkable historical sights. The route heads east, with a variety

B8082 of on-road cycle lanes and quiet residential sections, before climbing away from the Moray Firth. 2 86 B At the Newlands crossroads it’s worth diverting right for 200 Miles yards to the Culloden battlefield site and newly renovated visitor 0 1 2 centre. Scottish history was written here in April 1746 when the Jacobites were routed by government forces. Decades of Highland oppression ensued. 0 1 2 3 Kilometres Back on the bike, continue to the magnificent Clava Cairns. This collection of well preserved Bronze Age cairns and passage Category: Mainly on-road, some cycle path graves stand timeless in a tranquil open setting. Those with an Distance: 8 miles/13 kilometres interest in archaeology, or who are simply curious about our Time: 1 hour 15 minutes ancestors, will be absorbed. Gradient: Sustained climb from Balloch to Newlands, otherwise If you head north across the Kessock Bridge, you can follow fairly flat Route 1 for 14 miles to Dingwall using a combination of quiet Surface: Tarmac, some whin dust roads and new cycleway alongside the A835 between Tore and Maryburgh.

5 6 Ness Islands to Dochgarroch 2

Map 1 Merkinch Category: Canal towpath Inverness Distance: 5 miles/8 kilometres Start/ A8 62 Finish Time: 50 minutes 5 6 Gradient: Flat 8 Footbridge Inverness B Station Surface: Tarmac, smooth earthen/gravel surface Inverness Museum and Art Gallery Explore the on this peaceful cycle Inverness Castle from Inverness. To get to the canal, follow the River Ness Cathedral Crown upstream, branching right on to Ness Bank. Where this road curves away from the river at the suspension bridge, Kinmylies Dalneigh keep straight on the riverside path.

B 8 B 6 853 Continue until you reach a narrow bridge and follow the Footbridge 1 (GGW) signs onto the Ness Islands. 2 8 Follow the GGW signs along the path across these green, A wooded islands to the far river bank. Turn left and follow 2 8 the track or quiet Bucht Road to Whin Park where there A Hilton is a childrens’ play park, boating pond, refreshments and

D toilets. A O R Tomnahurich Bridge T Great Glen H Bught Park IG L Carry on up the road to Tomnahurich Bridge, where you Way B Sports leave the GGW. Don’t cross the bridge, but turn sharp Centre left onto the canal towpath. From here enjoy a perfect Play Park family-friendly ride along the east side of the canal – at Drummond some points you can see the canal to one side and the Ness Islands River Ness to the other. The ride ends at Dochgarroch Lock where there is a picnic spot and a café nearby.

2 6 8 B Lochardil Dunain

2 A8

Miles Be a considerate cyclist 0 0.5 ●● Avoid cycling where your tyres will damage the path or verges 0 0.5 1 ●● Give way to others on the towpath and warn Kilometres them of your approach ●● For more information contact British Waterways Caledonian Canal on 01923 201120 or www.waterscape.com Dochgarroch

Lock River Ness Start/ Finish Start/ Finish 7 8 Calvine to Dalwhinnie 3 Dalwhinnie Dalwhinnie Map 4 Start/ Finish The National Park - Britain’s largest and newest national park. Ericht www.cairngorms.co.uk

ngorms 9 A Cair

National Park

North Drumochter Lodge

Grampian Mountains

Drumochter Pass Looking west from the high Drumochter Pass © Fergal MacErlean

Miles 0 1 2

Dalnaspidal Lodge 0 1 2 3 Kilometres Start of the Gaick Pass - a testing mountain Loch bike route (with river crossings) to Speyside. Garry Use OS Landranger maps 35 & 42

A9 Dalnacardoch Wood Surfaces can be loose over this sections Dalnamein Lodge Category: Upland cycle path Dalnacardoch Lodge Distance: 17 miles/27 kilometres Time: 3 hours Gradient: A long incline with a total ascent of 665 metres Clunes Lodge Surface: Tarmac and whin dust House of Bruar Old Military Road Try an exciting section of National Route 7 as it crosses the Baluain Wood Drumochter Pass. It’s the ultimate route north with long sections Elrig na Curigin Calvine of purpose built off-road cycle path and minor roads that carry only occasional local traffic. The start, in the hamlet of Calvine, is marked by a drum Start/ To Pitlochry Finish sculpture, which is apt as your heart will be beating loudly as you and Glasgow climb to the 1508-foot-high pass. Along the way there are jaw dropping views down Loch Garry as it disappears mysteriously B847 into the hills. From the top of the pass, the reward is a five-mile downhill run to Dalwhinnie.

9 10 Dalwhinnie to Kingussie 4

Craigbui Wood

Category: Quiet road and cycle path Highland Distance: 13 miles/21 kilometres Folk Time: 2 hours Museum 52 Gradient: Initial short climb, thereafter downhill 91 B To Aviemore and flat Kingussie Surface: Tarmac To Laggan Wolftrax Ruthven Mountain Biking Barracks With the heady smells from the Dalwhinnie Newtonmore Start/ Distillery wafting in your nostrils, this route, through Finish heathery Glen Truim in the Cairngorms National Coille an Park, will leave you intoxicated. Highland Torra Chrualdh Folk A9 After an initial climb from Dalwhinnie, Glen Truim Museum offers perfect cycling on a quiet, gently undulating Coille na Creige Duibhe road. The elevated position gives good views of the Use the counterflow cycleway glacially smoothed Mountains. on this short section of road 6 8 A After the Falls of Truim, the route follows the old A9 Ralia to reach Newtonmore. The continuation to nearby Kingussie is on an excellent family friendly off-road cycle path. Both of these villages have a long and proud history, which is recounted in their respective Highland Folk Museums.

Miles 0 1 2 Mains of Glentruim 0 1 2 3 Kilometres Falls of Truim Etteridge

To Laggan

Glen Truim Cair ngorms

National

A A 8

8

Park 9

Dalwhinnie Start/ Distillery Finish 11 Dalwhinnie 12 Dalwhinnie Map 3 Sculptures at the Highland Folk Museum © Fergal MacErlean Aviemore to Boat of Garten 5 Map 6

The Strathspey Railway (Trains run Easter to October) To Grantown 0 97 B -on-Spey Category: Off-road cycle path ) A95(T Distance: 4 miles/7 kilometres Boat of Garten Speyside Way Time: 30 minutes Start/ Gradient: Gently undulating Finish Surface: Mainly gravel path

This is a wonderful off-road route where you can Street of forget all about traffic and soak up the mountain Kincardine scenery. It follows an off-road variant of National Route 7 and passes through heather moorland, pine forest, and lichen-rich birch woods. Access the route from the southern end of Aviemore, the train station, or off the main street, y y and turn left along a minor road. After going a Wa ilw Lochan Dubh Avie a R through a housing estate the route leaves the Lochan m a te Speyside S town behind: views of the Cairngorm’s deep y e p s th northern corries open up on the right. Continue a Loch Dallas tr S e Auchgourish to join a very quiet road for the final mile which h T

) T ) leads easily through Scots pine to the attractive ( (T 9 5 A 9 A Loch pan village of Boat of Garten, the Osprey village. Carraigean West Croftmore

0 7 9 B

River Spey Pityoulish

Loch Pityoulish

Start/ Dalfaber

)

T (

9 Finish Aviemore Visitor Centre A (Cairngorms National Park) Aviemore

Craigellachie National Nature Reserve (Scottish Natural Heritage) Aviemore Station

The Strathspey Railway Miles (Trains run Easter to October) 0 1 2

0 1 2 3 Inverdruie Kilometres Coylumbridge 2 15 Nordic Ski B9 Centre Hotel Mountain Rescue B970 Post

) Rothiemurchus Estate A9(T of Rothiemurchus The Old Logging Way Mountain bike tracks (to Glenmore) (Historic Houses Association) To Cairngorm Mountain

70 9 Loch Alvie B Loch To Pitlochry Morlich14 13 2 B915 and Glasgow Boat of Garten to Slochd 6

Category: Off-road forest cycle path Distance: 10 miles/16 kilometres Time: 2-3 hours Gradient: Hilly Surface: Mainly stony paths; two-mile on-road section. Mountain bikes recommended

Miles 0 1 2

0 1 2 3 Kilometres

To Inverness

The old bridge at Carrbridge stands strong © Fergal MacErlean 938 Slochd A Ski Centre, bunkhouse and cycle hire Baddengorm Woods

A9(T)

A Start/ 93 Finish 8

River Dulnain Carn Bad 8 nan Luibhean A93 Carrbridge Historic Bridge Glencharnoch Expect variable surfaces Wood Inverlaidnan Carrbridge (Woodland Trust) B 9 Hill 1 Sluggan Station 5 Bridge 3 Landmark

A Centre 9 (T General Wade’s ) Military Road

Expect variable surfaces Docharn Craig From Boat of Garten the route follows a dedicated paved and flat cyclepath, which runs separate from and parallel to the road; open heather-covered moorland extends to the right. After 1¼ Docharn miles, cross the A95 to follow the off-road variant of National

B

9

1 Route 7 to Carrbridge. 53 In Carrbridge take the off-road route for Slochd, passing Carrbridge’s wonderfully antiquated humpbacked bridge. The The Strathspey Railway initial section follows a quiet minor road before branching off (Trains run Easter to October)

through beautiful birch woods to descend to the restored, ) A95(T grass-covered Sluggan Bridge. From here enjoy cycling through Scots pine to arrive by Slochd Mhór Lodge (bunkhouse) and Boat of Garten cycle shop. Another 1.5 miles takes you to Slochd Summit, where Start/ Finish the cycle track runs between the railway and the A9 through a narrow pass.

Map 5 15 16 Fort William to Fort Augustus

The Great Glen Way runs for 73 miles/117 km Loch Ness between Fort William and Inverness. Cyclists: Fort Augustus please show consideration to walkers on the route – make them aware of your approach and slow down when passing. For more information on the route, contact the Great Glen Way rangers on 01320 366 633; email greatglenway@

highland.gov.uk or see www.greatglenway.com Great Glen Way

Miles 0 5 10 Bridge of Oich 0 5 10 15 Kilometres Loch Garry Invergarry

On-road National Cycle Network section Loch Oich Traffic-free National Cycle Network section

Other routes Time: The time given to complete a route is calculated on an average travelling time of 7 miles or 11 km per hour. This allows Great Glen Way Laggan for a leisurely cycling pace or for plenty of Laggan stops. Times and distances given for anal linear routes are for one way only. C See inset for more detail Fort William to Gairlochy p20

aledonian Bridge of Oich to Fort Augustus p22 C Lock

Great Glen Way Great Glen Cycle This is an attractive and mostly flat 32-mile traffic-free route from

Loch Lochy Fort William to Fort Augustus. Maps 7 and 8 show both ends of Loch Arkaig Clunes the route in more detail. The middle section runs from Gairlochy to Bridge of Oich (19miles/31km). From the end of the canal at Gairlochy follow the Great Glen Ways (GGW) signs along the quiet B8005 to Clunes and then a forest road and minor public road to Laggan. Gairlochy At Laggan you have a choice of routes. You can continue on the minor public road north of the canal and then on a steep forest road to Invergarry. Continue on the GGW through the forest to Bridge of Oich (7½ miles). Alternatively, cross the canal at Laggan Locks (good picnic spot). Take care crossing the main road, turn right and immediately left onto a steep path up through trees to the disused railway line. As the route reaches Loch Oich, it descends to the old military road and then swings Great Glen Way left at the northern end of the loch towards Bridge of Oich. The path is rough and muddy in places and you may have to lift your Corpach bike over gates in a couple of places (6¼ miles). Note This route is part of the proposed National Route 78 between Loch Fort William and Inverness. Linnhe 17 Fort William 18 Fort William to Gairlochy 7

05 To Fort Augustus 80 B Category: Cycle track and canal towpath Gairlochy Start/ Distance: 10 miles/16 kilometres Finish Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Gradient: Flat Surface: Whin dust

Explore the western end of the Great Glen Great Glen Way along the banks of the Caledonian Canal. This is a great family-friendly cycle with marvellous views of the north face of . The route Glen Loy starts from the centre of Fort William - from the Caledonian Canal 004 train station take an off-road path behind the B8 supermarket. Quiet streets lead to a footbridge over the river near Inverlochy Castle. Follow cycle lanes along the B8006 and turn left onto Miles a shore path and follow it round to Neptune’s 0 1 2 Staircase (take care crossing the A830). This route affords memorable views right down 0 1 2 3 Loch Linnhe. Muirshearlich Kilometres Neptune’s Staircase – a photogenic flight of eight locks, which raises vessels to 70 feet above sea level – is equally memorable. Continue on the eastern towpath to cycle easily along to Gairlochy where this section of the canal ends and Loch Lochy begins. Note anal This route is part of the proposed National C Torcastle Route 78 between Fort William and Inverness. aledonian C

Nevis Range Mountain Bike Centre Great Glen Way Corpach

Corpach Neptune's Station Staircase

A 8 3 0 B 8 82 0 Caol A 0 6

Loch Linnhe Inverlochy Castle (Historic Scotland) Start/ Finish Claggan

Fort William Station Fort William West Highland Museum 19 (Museums Galleries Scotland) Neptune’s Staircase by Corpach © Fergal MacErlean 20 Bridge of Oich to Fort Augustus 8

To Inverness via Drumnadrochit - 33 miles/53 km - busy main road, Those with an aversion to hills will love this flat route no hard shoulder. Loch Ness which follows the Caledonian Canal from the head of Jenkins Caledonian Canal Loch Oich. Join the towpath by the Aberchalder Park Visitor Centre 2 A8 Swing Bridge to enjoy effortless traffic-free cycling. Fort Augustus The River Oich runs alongside for much of the Abbey towpath’s length, giving a watery feeling to this outing. On the right, rise the steep slopes of the Start/ Great Glen formed by a tear fault in the Earth’s crust. Finish Continue to enter bustling Fort Augustus where the 62 canal descends through five locks to enter Loch B8 Ness. Among the many attractions is the Caledonian Canal Visitor Centre, which details the waterway’s Great Glen Way To Inverness via Dores - history up to its present day rejuvenation. 33 miles/53 km Note - minor rural road, some hills. This route is part of the proposed National Route 78 anal C between Fort William and Inverness. Category: Canal towpath

Caledonian Distance: 4.5 miles/7.5 kilometres Time: 40 minutes Gradient: Flat Kytra Surface: Whin dust Lock

Coiltry

Coille Torr Dhuin 82 Miles A 0 1 2

0 1 2 3 Kilometres

Great Glen Way Newtown Cullochy

anal Bridge of Oich C (Historic Scotland)

aledonian Start/ C Finish Aberchalder

To Fort William

Loch Oich 21 A peaceful Loch Ness near Fort Augustus © Fergal MacErlean 22 Argyll – the Lochgilphead area The Crinan Canal 9

To Loch Awe Category: Canal towpath and Oban Kilmartin Distance: 6.5miles/10.5 kilometres Kilmartin Glen: Temple Wood Time: 1 hour Stone Circles (Historic Scotland) Kimartin House Museum Gradient: Flat Kilmartin Glen: Ballygowan Cup And Ring Marks. Surface: Whin dust (Historic Scotland)

Kilmartin Glen: Ri Cruin Cairn Kilmartin Glen: Dunchraigaig Cairn (Historic Scotland) (Historic Scotland) Kilmartin Glen: Baluachraig Cup and Ring Marks (Historic Scotland) Good circular route to Kilmartin using this minor road. Use OS Explorer Map 358

Loch Crinan Kilmartin Glen: Dunadd Fort (Historic Scotland) Start/ 5 Glasham and Ardcastle 2 Kilmichael 0 Mountain Bike Finish 8 B Glassary A 8 1 Crinan 6 Kilmartin Glen: Kilmichael Glassary Cup Moine Mhor National and Ring Marks (Historic Scotland) Nature Reserve (Scottish Natural Heritage) Bellanoch Crinan Canal Barnluasgan Visitor Centre Kilmartin Glen: Cairnbaan Cup B8 41 and Ring Marks (Historic Scotland) Fire Tower Mountain Bike Trails Lochgair Faery Isles Mountain Bike Trails Cairnbaan Kilmartin Glen: Achnabreck Cup and Ring Marks. (Historic Scotland)

The shipping shortcut of the west coast, the Crinan Canal, is a delight for cyclists of all ages. Dark peaty waters fill this wide canal which links Start/ Lochgilphead the Atlantic with Loch Fyne. Join the towpath by Finish Lochgilphead and turn right to cycle through lush countryside.

At Cairnbaan, there’s the first in a series of locks. To the north of the village lies Kilmartin Glen Ardrishaig Crinan Canal which contains hundreds of Cup and Ring marked stones, chambered cairns and stone circles dating from Neolithic/Bronze Age times. Continue on the canal by Móine Mhór (The Great Bog) to A83 Off-road reach the attractive harbour at Crinan. alternative. Forest track. Steep

3

8 8 A For a more adventurous ride, head south on the sections. Expect A Loch Gilp variable surfaces canal towpath to Ardrishaig. Before the canal intersects the main road cross a bridge to the Loch Fyne right and head up through the residential streets and lanes untill you come to the start of a track that leads along the hillside above Loch Gilp. Best Miles suited to mountain bikes, there are some steep 0 1 2 gradients, but spectacular views. To and Campbeltown 0 1 2 3 Kilometres 23 24 The Trossachs and Glen Ogle

Killin Aberfoyle (Cobleland) to p28 Callander to Strathyre p30 Kingshouse to p32

On-road National Cycle Network section

Traffic-free National Cycle Network section

Other routes Time: The time given to complete a route is calculated on an average travelling time of 7 miles or 11 km per hour. This allows for a leisurely cycling pace or for plenty of stops. Times and distances given for linear routes are for one way only. Miles 0 5 10 Station 0 5 10 15 Balquhidder Kilometres Kingshouse

Strathyre

Callander

Easter Dullater

Aberfoyle

Kirkton

Windygate Cobleland 2325 The Glen Ogle Viaduct near Killin © Jenny Baker 2426 Aberfoyle (Cobleland) to Callander 10

Map 11 To Stronachlachar Miles

0 1 2 Ben Ledi Falls of Leny Kilmahog 0 1 2 3 Callander Kilometres

Roman Fort Sir Walter Scott Steamship Start/ Finish Brig o’Turk Loch Achray

Scottish Cycle Centre

Loch Venachar

Loch Drunkie

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Queen Elizabeth Forest B829 Park Visitor Centre Aberfoyle Scottish Wool Centre Kirkton

This mixed route has a very flat start and finish, but a very hilly Windygate middle! The latter, with its steep off-road climb through Achray Cobleland Start/ Forest, is testing, even for the fittest. In complete contrast, the Finish other sections are ideal for all the family; the finish by Loch Venachar offers some of the best cycling in Scotland. Graham Memorial To Balloch and Glasgow (National Trust for Scotland) Start from Cobleland to follow an old railway line by the infant River Forth. Cycle through Aberfoyle before the climb through the Category: Railway path, forestry route, loch shore cycle path and forest – rewarded with great views from the top. Descend by Loch minor road Drunkie and look out for Route 7 signs directing you right at a Distance: 15 miles/24 kilometres junction. The path leads by Loch Venachar, which has many picnic Time: 3 hours spots. Gradient: Flat to Aberfoyle followed by a long sharp climb and Carry straight on at the junction to reach Loch Katrine. There’s a descent to Loch Venachar. Flat thereafter great cycle and walkway round the loch to Stonachlachar where Surface: Tarmac, forestry roads. Mountain bike recommended you and your bike can catch the Steamship Sir Walter Scott back to the eastern end of the loch or carry on to on the east shore of Loch Lomond. (Use OS Explorer maps 365 and 364).

27 28 Callander to Strathyre 11

Map 12

Strathyre Miles 0 1 2

Start/ 0 1 2 3 Finish Kilometres

Take care - Steep zig-zag track

Looking across towards National Route 7 Laggan © Fergal MacErlean

Category: Railway path Loch Distance: 9.5 miles/15 kilometres Lubnaig Time: 1 hour 30 minutes A 8 4 ( T Gradient: Flat start to Falls of Leny. Thereafter undulating with ) some short climbs Surface: Tarmac, whin dust This almost entirely off-road route is a big favourite with families and others looking for a quiet cycle. From Callander a level cyclepath follows the old Oban railway line alongside the River Leny. Just outside the town it passes the remains of a Roman Chalets fort at Bochastle – one of several in the area. Pass the mesmerising Falls of Leny and continue, through an oakwood, to reach Loch Lubnaig, which has a strong Highland character. The cycle route uses a quiet access road for some of Stank the way. Take a picnic – you’re sure to find an idyllic spot for lunch. After four flat miles you’ll encounter some hills and one very steep zig-zag section but the final stretch into Strathyre is a breeze.

Ben Ledi

Falls of Leny Kilmahog Callander

Roman Fort Start/ Finish

Map 10 29 Scottish Cycle Centre 30 Kingshouse to Killin 12

Moirlanich Longhouse Loch Ta y (National Tr ust for Scotland) Castle (Ruin)

Killin Start/ Finish To Kenmore and Pitlochry Breadalbane Folklore Centre

Loch Voil by Balquhidder © Fergal MacErlean

Mobile Snack Bar (Usually)

Category: Railway path, forestry road Distance: 10 miles/16 kilometres Time: 2 hours Viaduct Gradient: Undulating to Lochearnhead then stiff climb and long Miles Glen Ogle incline up Glen Ogle. Mainly downhill and flat to Killin 0 1 2 Surface: Tarmac, whin dust, forestry road Enjoy another entirely off-road section of National Route 7 as you 2 0 1 3 travel north to the beautiful village of Killin. Join the route off the Kilometres minor road to Balquhidder, which is worth a look itself as it’s the resting place of Rob Roy. The incorrigible outlaw – forced by a Lochearnhead crooked landlord into a life of cattle rustling – is synonymous with the surrounding rugged landscape. Take care - Steep zig-zag track Loch As you approach Lochearnhead, you’ll experience this Earn ruggedness first hand where the cyclepath climbs alarmingly Edinample before a long incline up Glen Ogle. Enjoy the views and catch

) (T your breath at the top before continuing through forestry for a 84 A well deserved rest in Killin.

Rob Roy’s Grave Balquhidder Station Puidreag Plantation (Woodland Tr ust) Balquhidder Start/ Finish oil Loch V Kingshouse

31 Map 11 32 National Cycle Network in Scotland

From gentle rides along old railway lines, canal towpaths and quiet country routes over moorland, mountain and forest terrain, cycling in Scotland has something for everyone. ISLANDS

This map shows the National Cycle Network 1 1 routes in Scotland. You may want to cycle part of Stromness Kirkwall them as a day trip or enjoy a longer cycle.

1 See page 38 for a list of maps and guides

available from Sustrans. John o'Groats Thurso Lerwick 1 Tongue

Sumburgh

1

Lairg

Tain

Cullen Cromarty Buckie Elgin Banff Forres Nairn

Turriff Maud Inverness

79 7

78 1 Carrbridge Broadford Loch Ness Lochboisdale Glenelg Aviemore Dyce

Fort Augustus Aberdeen Invergarry Kingussie Newtonmore Cairngorms National Park Castlebay 79 195

Loch Lochy Stonehaven

78 7 Fort William

Pitlochry Montrose 1 Aberfeldy Dunkeld 7 Arbroath Killin 77 Dundee Taynuilt Carnoustie Monifieth Oban Loch Lomond & The Tr ossachs 775 Perth 777 Leuchars On-road section National Park 78 St Andrews 775 777 776 Traffic-free sections Callander 1 Tarbet 765 1 76 Aberfoyle Proposed routes Glenrothes Alloa 766 Colonsay Crinan 40 7 764 Dunfermline Kirkcaldy Selected regional routes 75 Larbert / 76 Kirkintilloch Stenhousemuir Towns with railway stations / Lenzie Dumbarton 754 Clydebank Musselburgh 76 Tarbert Greenock 75 Glasgow Bathgate 75 East End Towns without railways stations 78 Paisley 73 Airdrie Balerno Dalkeith Lochwinnoch Livingston Claonaig 1 National Cycle Network route number Kennacraig Barrhead Hamilton Penicuik Lochranza Berwick-upon-Tweed Port 7 Ellen 74 Kilwinning Carstairs Junction 10 Regional route number Ardrossan 73 Irvine 82 78 Kilmarnock Galashiels 73 1 Bamburgh Brodick Tr oon Melrose Wooler 68 Abington Malin Head Ayr Harwick Campbeltown Northumberland 1 Rathlin Island Maybole Carndonagh Portrush Ballycastle 74 Magilligan Greencastle Amble Point 7 Buncrana Bushmills Creeslough Coleraine 93 Ashington Cushendun Castlerock 68 Ballymoney Burtonport Limavady Cushendall Bellingham Derry/ Lockerbie 96 The Glens Blyth Londonderry 10 Cramlington 93 Dumfries Letterkenny 92 of Antrim Glenarm 7 Gretna 10 Claudy Tynemouth Raphoe Cairnryan 7 Annan 72 Newcastle Corbridge South Shields Portglenone 97 Newton Stewart 72 Strabane Sperrins Stranraer Gatehouse Castle Douglas Haltwhistle Hexham Ballymena Larne of Fleet Gateshead 14 73 Silloth 10 Carlisle Brampton 68 Newtownstewart Gortin Toome Consett 93 Washington Antrim 72 Alston 7 Seaham Donegal 95 Carrickfergus 95 7 Durham 14 10 Pettigoe 94 94 Maryport Ballyshannon Omagh Cookstown Lough Whiteabbey Bangor Wingate 14 Neagh Hartlepool Bundoran Newtownards Cockermouth 68 1 Workington 91 92 Stockton Redcar 33 Belleek Fintona 72 Penrith 20 34 Comber Whitehaven -on- Dungannon 71 Keswick Tees 91 Lower 94 Lagan Valley Appleby Lo gh Erne 95 9 D rli t Lft Support Sustrans today

Please complete this form and send it to: Sustrans is the UK’s leading Sustrans, Freepost BS7739, BS1 5FA. Alternatively, you can make a donation online by visiting sustainable transport charity. www.sustrans.org.uk or over the phone on 0845 838 0651.

Our vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways First name Surname that benefit their health and the environment. We work on Address practical, innovative solutions to the transport challenges facing us all. Sustrans is the charity behind the award winning National Postcode Telephone Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools, Bike It, TravelSmart, Active Travel, Connect2 and Liveable Neighbourhoods, all E-mail address projects that are changing our world one mile at a time. Data protection: We promise that any information you give will be used by Sustrans only and not passed to any other Support Sustrans. organisation. If you would prefer us not to contact you about special appeals please tick here Join the movement. How to donate: Choose your preferred donation method and complete either section A or B and section C For more information on the National Cycle Network, to buy maps and guides or to find out more about Sustrans, A Your monthly gift will provide us with vital visit www.sustrans.org.uk or call 0845 113 00 65 YES regular income to help us develop the National Cycle Network and enable us to keep our If you think what we do sounds sensible, we urgently need I’ll join administration costs to a minimum. people like you to help us do more. By giving from £5 a month Sustrans you’ll start to make a difference. Without this financial support, with a (Please tick) £5 £10 £15 £ other Sustrans and projects such as the National Cycle Network would Direct Debit Please complete the Direct Debit instructions probably not exist. overleaf. To become a Sustrans Supporter today please complete the (Please tick) £20 £30 £50 £ other form on the opposite page and send it to: B Sustrans YES Please enclose a cheque/PO/Charity Voucher Freepost BS7739 I’ll join payable to Sustrans and send this form to: Bristol Sustrans Sustrans, Freepost BS7739, Bristol BS1 5FA BS1 5FA with a Please send me a pack on leaving a legacy or phone 0845 838 0651 Donation to Sustrans

If you’d like to help Sustrans in a hands-on way, why not C Make your support go further for free. Use Gift become a volunteer ranger? Gift Aid Aid and you can make your donation worth Make your more. For every pound you give to us we get As a Sustrans Volunteer Ranger you will help to look after and support go an extra 25 pence from the Inland Revenue. promote a section of the National Cycle Network near your further for free Simply tick the boxes below, it’s that simple. home, and so encourage more people to cycle and walk. I am a UK taxpayer and want Sustrans to To find how to become a Volunteer Ranger visit treat all donations that I make from the date of www.sustrans.org.uk/rangers this declaration until I notify you otherwise as Gift Aid donations. I am a UK taxpayer and would like Sustrans to Gift Aid all donations within the charity’s current financial period and the previous six years until I notify you otherwise. You will need to pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax equal to the tax we claim on your donations (currently 25p for every £1 you give). Thank you. Registered Charity No. 326550 ( and Wales) ! SCO39263 (Scotland) 35 36 Also available from Sustrans

To order maps and guides for stunning cycling and walking routes throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK please call 0845 113 00 65 or visit Instruction to your Bank or Building Society to pay www.sustranshop.co.uk by Direct Debit Please fill in the whole form and send it to: Lochs & Glens Pack Sustrans, Freepost BS7739, Bristol, BS1 5FA Covering National Route 7 between Inverness Name and full postal address of your Bank or Building Society and Carlisle Code NNP01, £18.00 To: The Manager Bank/Building Society Coast & Castles Pack Address Covering National Route 1 between Newcastle and Aberdeen Code NNP04, £16.00

Postcode National Cycle Network Maps for Scotland: Name(s) of Account Holder(s) Lochs & Glens South Carlisle to Glasgow via the Ayrshire coast Code NN7B, £6.99 Bank/Building Society account number Lochs & Glens North Northern section of the Lochs and Glens cycle route between Glasgow and Inverness Code NN7C, £6.99 Branch sort code Salmon Run Dundee to Perth and Pitlochry plus five circular rides in the Tay Valley Originator’s indentification number Code NN77, £3.99 Oban to Campbeltown 6 7 2 6 7 7 Code NN78, £3.99 Reference number Aberdeen to John O’Groats Code NN1E, £2.99 Edinburgh to Aberdeen Code NN1D, £2.99 Instruction to your Bank or Building Society Please pay Sustrans Direct Debits from the account detailed in Forth & Clyde this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Code NN75, £6.99 Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain Round the Forth (2008 edition) with Sustrans and, if so, details will be passed electronically to Code NN76, £6.99 my Bank or Building Society. Coast & Castles South (2008 edition) Code NN1C, £6.99 Signature(s) Other booklets in this series: Date Edinburgh, , Central and Borders Banks and Building Societies may not accept Direct Debit instructions Glasgow and Ayrshire

for some types of account. Firth of Tay to Moray 37 ! 38 Area covered by this booklet

Nairn

Inverness

7

78 Carrbridge Loch Ness

Aviemore

Fort Augustus Invergarry Kingussie Newtonmore 79

Cairngorms National Park Loch Lochy

78 7 Fort William Blair Atholl

Pitlochry

Aberfeldy 7 Killin

Loch Lomond & the T r ossachs National Park

Callander Tarbert 74 Aberfoyle

Crinan 40 7 Lochgilphead 75 Falkirk

To find maps, route information and suggested routes from cyclists throughout Scotland visit: www.routes2ride.org.uk/scotland Sustrans and the National Cycle Network Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity, working on practical projects so people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. The charity is behind many groundbreaking projects including the National Cycle Network, over twelve thousand miles of traffic-free, quiet lanes and on-road walking and cycling routes around the UK. We are the charity making a difference today so everyone can live a better tomorrow. Support Sustrans. Join the movement. For more information on the National Cycle Network, to buy maps and guides or to become a Sustrans Supporter visit or call: www.sustrans.org.uk 0845 113 00 65

Registered Charity No. 326550 (England Front cover: istock and Wales) SC039263 (Scotland)

This booklet has been produced with the support of the Scottish Goverment

First edition 2009