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The wife is off to Loch Katrine on Saturday to walk with her friend. Seems a waste not to hitch a lift and get some cycling in. Any recommendations for a gravel route round about there? Maybe 3-4 hours with somewhere to stop for a pint afterwards?
Head a little east towards Achray Forest and you've entered the gravel utopia of the Aberfoyle area
The loop around Loch Katrine is stunning. Closed road tarmac and well worth doing.
Then add some gravel loops in on the return via Loch Ard. Stop at Achray Farm for goat ice-cream (owned by a well ken't cyclist).
Job done.
Sounds perfect 👌
Good point about the Katrine loop, would be daft not to if you've not been before
Stirling Crispin has it.
But blimey I'm upset. That's my own peaceful ride on an autumnal morning. I don't want crowds. Shhhhh.
Even Scotty has been sharing the area again this week.
And Kerry can't keep quiet.
North shore of loch Katrine is one of my favourite stretches of road..love it
You are close to the absolute gravel Mecca which is Aberfoyle. If you use komoot search for Gravelfoyle and see if you can find Kerry Mcphees collection. That’ll do ya!!
Somewhere around here NN 49165 08284 there's a path up the hill. Might be a push up, but then gets you onto a deserted double track heading west parallel but up above with stunning views, to the main lakeside road. Walked it but remember thinking it'd be good on a bike including the descent back to the lake level.
@pedlad - that is one for me to explore in the next few weeks, thank you.
It's been a while since I was up there but the path around loch Katrine was shut die to a landslide. Really shut too, not you can sneak round the fence shut.
Visitors centre had info if you look on the website or phone them.
Nothing on the website to say route is closed, I'll give them a ring tomorrow though.
If not, doesn't look like I'll struggle to find some nice trails and a pint in Aberfoyle to top it off.
Edit:
https://swazurecms.scottishwater.co.uk/in-your-area/investments-in-your-area/loch-katrine
The road is open again after repair works to the landslide areas, but will be closed if there is a weather warning issued by the Met Office. I was up there a couple of weeks ago and unfortunately it looked like the café at Stronaclachar Pier has closed 🙁
Might be reopened now - my wife was in there pretty recently and they mentioned that the owners were looking fir someone to take it on as the previous folks had had to return to Ireland due to a family situation (or something along those lines). Sadly the Wee Blether round in Kinlochard seems to have shut permanently.
It’s been a while since I was up there but the path around loch Katrine was shut die to a landslide. Really shut too, not you can sneak round the fence shut.
Having ridden the road three times this last year, and a neighbour who did it last week, I can confirm it is well and truly open and has been for a year or more.
Sadly the Wee Blether round in Kinlochard seems to have shut permanently.
Sadly the new management at the Wee Blether ruined it pretty quickly. The good old make and smaller and charge more approach didn’t work so well. Especially when the staff would cut a slice of something for you, only to have a manager make it considerably smaller right in front of you
I do miss that place though, was a real favourite
Wow. Aberfoyle looks amazing!
Has anyone (else) ever tried getting around the other side of Loch Katrine..?
I did, some ten years ago, and swore I'd never try again! Lots of bike carrying...
Anyone know what the approximate total distance is around the Loch Katrine loop ?.
We used to walk some of it when my mate Dave was alive. A brisk walk with the dogs, stopping off after 3 or 4 miles for the hot tomato soup and crusty rolls.
And maybe a couple of spliffs 😀
Full loop, including the nice Drunkie loop.
http://outandaboutinscotland.co.uk.websitebuilder.prositehosting.co.uk/cycling/loch-katrine-circular
The out-and-back to Inversnaid is a fun extension - the final switchback is a hoot too.
Hotel was always unwelcoming (run by a coach company - no idea now).
For the OP: Make sure your climb from Aberfoyle to Achray Farm is on the gravel options, although the tarmac Dukes Pass is a roadie classic.
Househusband,
I've often thought about that southern route. The double track past Royal Cottage goes frustratingly close to getting to Katrine Pier. Having looked at the aerial photographs there is singletrack from the pier/dam end that goes west but looks to just peter out. And the terrain in between looks pretty unforgiving. A shame as it's on obvious missing link to complete what would be a great loop.
Has anyone (else) ever tried getting around the other side of Loch Katrine..?
I did, some ten years ago, and swore I’d never try again! Lots of bike carrying…
What was the terrain like that made it difficult ? Im thinking could an ebike made it a lot easier and maybe even a viable route.
What was the terrain like that made it difficult ? Im thinking could an ebike made it a lot easier and maybe even a viable route.
I have walked off Ben Venue in that area.
An ebike on walk mode might help some - but there are fences, trees, overgrown undergrowth etc. It was in the 'quite tough' walking category, I cannot imagine with a bike it would be any fun.
It is a obvious loop to connect - but the land is farm and hunting land, and I don't think there is much appetite for it as there are a few private houses, one of whom already has a few 'keep away' and 'private' signs up.... To be fair, the connector would almost pass their door.
For the OP: Make sure your climb from Aberfoyle to Achray Farm is on the gravel options, although the tarmac Dukes Pass is a roadie classic.
Cheers, I'll remember that for my next visit. This time I'll be starting at the loch Katrine visitor centre as that's where the wife is beginning her walk. I'll cycle the loop and finish up in Aberfoyle where she can pick me up on the way back home.
Really looking forward to this now.
What was the terrain like that made it difficult
There are irregular mountain rescues in that area - and an elderly walker died there earlier this month - body pulled from the water.
What was the terrain like that made it difficult ? Im thinking could an ebike made it a lot easier and maybe even a viable route.
@dyna-ti As others have said there isn't a clearly (or certainly wasn't ten years ago) defined track from the top of the track at NN 46244 08107 to (I did it clockwise) to the start of the track bottom of Bealach nam Bo at NN 48284 07195 and there were indeed deer fences, bog and plenty bike carrying; the weight of an ebike (not that I've ever picked one up) would make it even harder.
It is a tough walk, as above, and making it into a loop would ruffle the inhabitants' feathers and be quite intrusive. It wasn't really fun and there's heaps better riding in the area.
Well... That was awesome 😁
Do tell...
Just a cracking day out. Almost cancelled to spend the day watching Netflix but dragged myself out of bed at 7 and very glad I did.
Set off from the pier at about 9. Bit cloudy and foggy. The road around Katrine is really nice, only seen one other bike and maybe 2 cars. Couldn't stop because the midge horde descended as soon as the pedals stopped turning.
Gravel sections down to Aberfoyle were great fun. Got to Aberfoyle about half 11, couldn't justify a pint that early so ate a stoat bar then cracked on up the ncn. Bit of a climb up, but the swoopy downs were worth it. Lovely views around Achray and the sun was now out. Unfortunately didn't stop for ice cream. Got back to the car about 1pm.
highly recommended! 👍
Just done a loop from Aberfoyle up the gravel road, round Loch Venacher and back. Stunning.
Stopped at the Achray Farm ice cream place. Delicious. They weren’t open but when I got there but went out of their way to serve me.
50km on total. Beautiful ride.