Bike Trossachs local knowledge

[drossall]

Can anyone give me local knowledge of the Bike Trossachs and other local paths? I'm working on a Scout expedition for the summer. Seen the Web site and the basic maps, but interested in experiences of riding the trails, especially with teenagers (strictly, ages 10+), who do not necessarily have much experience.

[Norman H]

The Bike Trossachs initiative seems to be centred around Aberfoyle, where exactly will you be staying?

I've cycled a lot in and around the Trossachs National Park and there's a relative abundance of traffic free cycle paths, most of which are waymarked, and which would be ideal for your relatively inexperienced group. That said, I tend to prefer tarmac or relatively well surfaced cycle tracks. If you avoid through routes most of the minor roads are normally quiet and my experience is that motorists are fairly well behaved. It's a popular tourist destination though, so much will depend on when you are visiting, presumably in the school holidays?

Without knowing more information here a flavour of what's available:

From Aberfoyle there's a a short circular route around around Loch Ard that is about 50% traffic free but also makes use of the B829.

There's also a much longer route using the B829 to Stronaclachar and then the electricity board track around the north shore of Loch Katrine. The latter route does however involve returning to Aberfoyle via the Duke's Pass (A821) although it's possible to use the Queen Elizabeth Forest drive for part of the way. It's also possible to take the SS Sir Walter Scott the length of Loch Katrine from Stronachlachar pier to Trossacchs pier. This saves about 13 miles on the electicity board track.

A bit further afield at Callander route 7 traffic free on the old rail bed up Strathyre to Killin is a delightful ride.

[bikepacker]

A bit further afield at Callander route 7 traffic free on the old rail bed up Strathyre to Killin is a delightful ride.

+1 Used this four times on different rides very enjoyable.

[drossall]

Hi both

Thanks for that. I'm familiar with the railway paths from last time. We'll be based at Lochearnhead Scout station and I'm expecting to run day rides to Callander and back. However, I'm also looking at an overnight expedition, for which we could be based at Invertrossachs on Loch Venachar. So I'm looking for something a bit different (from the railway paths). I know the path round the north side of Loch Katrine as well.

My problem is being a long way from the Trossachs for advance reconnaissance, but that the Aberfoyle paths look promising. Mind you, the climb over the Achray Forest would be a bit challenging to younger riders - so we may use vehicle assistance to get us to the site.

[Norman H]

There's actually a nice circular route from Invertrossachs mostly on Route 7.

Follow the forest drive west along the shores of Loch Venachar but just beyond the end of the Loch, at a point where the road takes a sharp left hand turn, take the track on the right that leads to Loch Achray. In about ½ mile, before you reach Loch Achray, there's a road on the right that leads to the A821 at Brig o' Turk. Turn right on the A821 towards Callander.

Approx ½ mile beyond Brig O’ Turk turn left at an entrance signposted Brig O’ Turk Mires SSSI and Glen Finglas Visitor Centre.

Follow the path beyond the visitor centre and turn left through a wooden gate and head steeply uphill, following the Great Trossachs Path waymarkers.

After about 500 yds turn right onto the main path and continue for about 4 miles to where the path meets the A821. You have two options from here:

Either turn left and in about 100yds you reach a point just before the A821 meets the A84 and where route 7 crosses the A821. Turn right here and follow route 7 back via Callander and all the way to Invertossachs.

Or turn right and then first left and Join route 7 beyond Callander.

[drossall]

Thanks. I hadn't spotted the possibility of riding the tracks on the north side of Loch Venachar. I did briefly toy, last time, with the Glen Finglas circuit, but it became clear, especially with local advice, that that was going to be too challenging for our purpose. Though I think a few of the leader team might like to try it if we can find a day off!

[Norman H]

For the adults and the more experienced there's a beautiful but challenging route from Killin, up Glen Lochay to Kenknock, then north over a testing climb to Loch Lyon and back down Glen Lyon to Bridge of Balgie. At Bridge of Balgie cross the river and head south back over the mountains and between the twin peaks of Ben Lawers and Meall nan Tarmachan, to Loch Tay. Its all on paved roads but some sections of the estate road between Glen Lochay and Glen Lyon are not in the best condition.

[drossall]

Interesting because there's another Scout centre at Bridge of Balgie for a possible overnight stop. Thanks. We've got a meeting on Thursday and I'll mention that one too.

[drossall]

The latter route does however involve returning to Aberfoyle via the Duke's Pass (A821) although it's possible to use the Queen Elizabeth Forest drive for part of the way. It's also possible to take the SS Sir Walter Scott the length of Loch Katrine from Stronachlachar pier to Trossacchs pier. This saves about 13 miles on the electicity board track.

What about the Rob Roy Way towards Dullater from Aberfoyle as a means of avoiding the full height of the Duke's Pass? Given that we'd probably be heading for Invertrossachs?

We did finish off last time by cycling round Loch Katrine and taking the boat back, which was a nice way to end.

[Norman H]

The latter route does however involve returning to Aberfoyle via the Duke's Pass (A821) although it's possible to use the Queen Elizabeth Forest drive for part of the way. It's also possible to take the SS Sir Walter Scott the length of Loch Katrine from Stronachlachar pier to Trossacchs pier. This saves about 13 miles on the electicity board track.

What about the Rob Roy Way towards Dullater from Aberfoyle as a means of avoiding the full height of the Duke's Pass? Given that we'd probably be heading for Invertrossachs?

When I made that comment I was thinking more about avoiding the traffic rather than the gradient on the Duke's Pass. As I said earlier the majority of motorists are well behaved but a group of cyclists singled out and slowly climbing uphill might cause some or them to become impatient.

Most sections of the Rob Roy Way can be cycled although the only bits of it that I've ridden are those which coincide with route 7, that incudes the section of forest drive that avoids the Duke's Pass that I referred to above. The RRW between Aberfoyle and Dullater might save a tiny bit of climbing but it's only partly on forest roads, the remainder being indicated as footpath which may be less well surfaced. For a definitive answer you might try asking at the Wheels Cycling Centre.

[drossall]

Just a small update. Plans are progressing, but can anyone give me (or point me at) a summary of the current state of the railway path east from Lochearnhead to Comrie (and beyond?) I've seen the Facebook group, and I know that the actual part through Lochearnhead village may well come last, but I'm struggling to keep track of whether the path is continuous, what gaps there are, and whether it's gone beyond Glen Tarken at the western end.

I can go to look, obviously, when we get there, but I'll have limited time to explore possible routes in advance of running actual activities.

Thanks again for all the help.

[Norman H]

I'll be up that way in 2-3weeks time. If I get the chance I'll make some enquiries.

[drossall]

Thanks so much. A pointer to an up to date map would be amazing, if one exists. The Facebook group has maps showing phases, and news that such-and-such a section is being worked on, but it's hard to piece together an overview. I may try posting there, but previous posts from others have not had much response - it's mainly a one-way group giving out news.

[daviemore]

Hi. Just noticed this.
Cant help with an up to date map, but I cycled this route a couple of months ago and its all easily passable.There was one very short detour round a barn near the west end (access issues?) and a couple of muddy sections, which may actually be dry now, but these were still easily cyclable, at least with decent tyres. Since then another short new section of tarmac has just been completed.

You can access it from the road behind the carpark with toilets in Lochearnhead.

I know most of the tracks in this area so any q's pm me as i only see this forum occasionally.

[Norman H]

The latest news on the cycle path east from Lochearnhead is somewhat conflicting but is broadly in line with Daviemore's experience. It's fully open between Comrie and St Fillans but extends for less than a kilometre beyond St Fillans in the direction of Lochearnhead. That said, I was informed by one source that although the St Fillans to Lochearnhead section is not officially open it's apparently doable with difficulty on a bike and passable on foot, although very overgrown in parts. I did cycle the road on the south shore of Loch Earn between the A84 and St Fillans and I'd say it would be a suitable alternative for your group, single track with passing places and very little traffic. I also discovered that it's possible to cycle direct from Comrie to Callander, part on minor roads and part traffic free on unsurfaced tracks.

Briefly, from Comrie take the minor road out along Glen Artney to Glen Artney church. About 2Km beyond the church, at Auchinner, the tarmac gives way to a track which continues over Monadh Odhar to the bothy at Arivurichardich. Turn left here and head downhill to cross the river at a bridge. Continue heading south with the river on your left past Braeleny Farm and shortly you will pass through a gate and rejoin a tarmac road which you can follow all the way back to Callander. In all it's about 15 miles. For the more experienced and fitter members of your group this could form part of a challenging circular route from Lochearnhead using the south shore of Loch Earn to St Fillan, the railway path to Comrie, the above route via Glenn Artney to Callander and returning to Lochearnhead on route 7. In all that's about 45 miles, sadly the bothy at Arivurichardich is privately owned so that's not an option. If you have the use of two vehicles you could split the group into two and the Comrie to Callander section could be tackled from opposite ends. There are car parks at Glen Artney church and another for the Bracklinn Falls in Callander.