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We are off up there on our Jollies soon and so I am trying to plan a few things to do. We’ve got a cottage in Ardentinny. I am taking my Mrs, my gravel bike, my fell shoes and our dogs. I’ve got an OS map. All info will be received very gratefully. Go!
An area I'm very much looking forward to visiting someday soon (e.g. - don't take my advice as gospel, I've not ridden there yet).
Some good road climbs in the area inc. Clachan of Glendaruel to Otter Ferry.
Good coastal gravel taking you to Lochgoilhead with a choice of routes to make it a loop including more nice road climbs (Hells Glen) but also routes back to Ardentinny via e.g. Curra Lochan and Lock Eck (think there's still a wee bit of pushing beside Curra Lochan.
There's also the Dunoon Dirt Dash loop but that seems to incorporate a massive hike-a-bike which I personally couldn't be bothered with...
Ah, nice one. Thanks for that.
Some great riding over there - a nice relatively short loop from Ardentinny would be head up the Whistlefield climb then once over the top of that (but before the steep part of the descent) there is a gravel road you can take and head up north then to the top of Loch Eck (stunning view from the top looking down over the Loch before descending) then you cross the road to Glenbranter and head down the loch side to Benmore and Pucks Glen, then can head back to Ardentinny - via some singletrack and gravel to the top of the whistlefield climb again. About 30 miles all rideable with a gravel bike and pretty descent surface.
+1 for the Clachan of Glendaruel to Otter Ferry road, one of very few C roads in Britain. Nice pub/restaurant at the bottom called the Oyster Catcher
Love the tinny. You can cycle all the way up to Lochgoilhead starting from the track behind Stronvochlan. Bit of navigation needed to get the right path, as it’s mostly forestry but then opens up south of Carrick Castle. From Lochgoilhead personally I’d link the road back round for a longer day via Strachur/Glen Finnart or just pedal back south after an anti-clockwise loop up to the falls on the Cowal Way.
If climbing from Loch Goil to Curra Lochan, ignore the marked Cowal Way diamonds to the south side of the Sruth Ban waterfalls and stick to the tracks to the north of the falls. The zig zags up to Curra Lochan from the Goil side are steep and deffo hike a bike, as is the first section beside the lochan's north shore. Keep heading west along the north shore past the clump of conifers to pick up an uncharted Landy track that forms part of the Cowal Way and links to the forest roads towards the Loch Eck circuit and Glen Branter.
remember to take some Smidge. Alternatively whilst outside, hope for wind and don't stop for anything. If you have a puncture, leave the bike, the midges will drain your blood in no time...
If climbing from Loch Goil to Curra Lochan, ignore the marked Cowal Way diamonds to the south side of the Sruth Ban waterfalls and stick to the tracks to the north of the falls. The zig zags up to Curra Lochan from the Goil side are steep and deffo hike a bike, as is the first section beside the lochan’s north shore. Keep heading west along the north shore past the clump of conifers to pick up an uncharted Landy track that forms part of the Cowal Way and links to the forest roads towards the Loch Eck circuit and Glen Branter.
Filed for future reference, thanks!
Thanks everyone. Any suggestions for running in the hills?
Been quite a few years since our last visit but have fond memories of walking up Puck's Glen and the food at the Coylet Inn. Lovely place
I will make sure I visit those. Cheers.
Going well so far. Thanks to everyone for their advice.
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