Distance: 19.3km (12.2 miles)
Time: 2hrs
Rating: Moderate
Best time to go: Best as a short summer evening ride, or a winter’s day scoot.
Getting there: M74/M8 into Glasgow, then junction 17 to Dumbarton (A82). North out of Glasgow, up the west bank of Loch Lomond, and onto the A83 at Tarbet. A few miles after Tarbet is Arrochar.
Car parking: Follow the road through Arrochar and there’s parking round the head of the Loch.
Food: We’d particularly recommend the truckers caff in town on the A814.
Tourist Information: Tarbet Loch Lomond: Tel 01301 702260, fax 702224 (seasonal opening).
Where to stay: The SYHA at Loch Lomondside is a super posh castle, complete with resident ghost…
Tel 0870 004 1136.
What to take: In winter, a good set of warm clothes. Also food, as once you’re on the ride, there are no facilities at all. And pack your camera, as the views can be simply stunning in good, clear weather.
Bike shops: When you are passing along Great Western Road, in the centre of Glasgow, the best option would be to pop into: Alpine Bikes, 116 Great Western Road. Tel 0141 353 2226.
Maps: OS Landranger 56, Loch Lomond & Inveraray.
|
Case Study
There’s nothing better than a short, sharp winter ride – one you can hit hard, spin round and enjoy, without being out so long you have to chip your icy feet out their shoes when you get back to the car. We found such a route near Arrochar, a short car ride north of Glasgow, thanks to Andy McKenna who accompanied us on one of his favourite winter and occasional night rides, brought out when he has to blow off the city smoke. About 45 minutes north of town we’re already into some gnarly Highland scenery, perfect to forget your city-bound daily lifestyle and concentrate on the important things in life. Towered over by the Arrochar Alps, including the well known Cobbler, our route covers a lot of fireroad but makes up for it with a hefty smattering of peachy singletrack. You can also explore further, if your eyeballs haven’t frozen in the winter weather.
We arrived on just such a winter’s day, and one last look at the car thermometer revealed a temperature of -2 degrees – in the middle of the day. It was going to be a cold one! So we dutifully wrapped up in the low winter sun and set off along the low trail up Glen Loin. It wasn’t long before Andy indicated a left and we began the climb up the valley side. He had already warned us there was a ‘fair bit of ascent,’ but the climb just seemed to go on and on. Already above the small town of Arrochar, we took in the scenery as the trail steadily gained height. The mountains across the valley were now reflected in the sea below, with Arrochar itself appearing to sit on a plate of glass at the far side. There was not a breath of wind to interrupt this clear winter weather. Switching back and heading up the valley, Andy pointed out the return trail coming down the other side of the glen, yet we were still gaining height. In fact, the route eventually turned out to have 625m of ascent – most of it on this outbound section.
With the track hard from the freeze we made good progress, but by the look of it, the trail could get quite porridgy. Winding up into the glen of Allt Coiregrogain we could see Ben Lomond rising above the solid layer of mist low over Loch Lomond. It dropped to even colder temperatures as we rode into the frozen shade of Ben Narnain and dropped to cross the Allt Coiregrogain burn. Here we began a short downhill section, where Andy forgot to mention the loose and rocky surface on the fastest drops. We came round a corner and he shot off, no doubt cackling maniacally as I followed on and hit the squirrely section. But I was too busy holding on and wondering why I hadn’t already fallen to my messy death. It paid to stay loose and try to silence that part of the brain that wanted to hit the brakes – although I wanted to. Andy was waiting at the bottom, and we both laughed at what was actually a perfectly safe descent, but which could have been anything but had I grabbed just a handful of brake. So we rolled on, admiring the deep gold of the surrounding peaks bathed in the mid-afternoon setting sun. After a small section of Tarmac, we dropped onto the best part of the ride, the frozen singletrack down Glen Loin.
Andy recalled the day he was shown this route. Brought up on a nightride he was encouraged to speed off down the trail, and was thoroughly enjoying it when he noticed a suspicious tone in his guides’ voices, and only just in time – the corner he was about to take at speed was extremely tight, and fell away onto a loose and rocky chute with rock strewn heather on either side. You are expected to learn the hard way up here! Threading to and fro under the line of pylons we took the fast sections and rolled through the ice-covered drops. The guys call it the Rollercoaster – short sharp climbs are followed by similar descents, all the way down to the valley floor. We then had the choice of going into town or climbing up again. So we climbed, and found some more excellent singletrack to scratch up and slither down. On a hilltop bench we sat and ate, looking over to the rugged peaks of the Cobbler, then descended into the rapidly forming mist back to the start. You can’t beat winter riding.
By Andy McCandish
Route Guide
Start: One of the car parks just outside Arrochar on the A82, heading for Inveraray. Map Ref: GR NN294048.
1. 0.00km (0.00 mile) Ride out of the car park onto the main road, turn right. Follow the road for 200m until just before a ridge, turn left onto a trail going through a gate. Follow this into a small housing estate, turn left then right after another 100m. Follow this road as it turns to a track and curves round to the left. Take the left turn at the next fork and begin climbing into the forest.
2. 2.50km (1.6 miles) At the first junction take the right track, almost doubling back on yourself. This continues climbing as it runs round the side of the A'Chrois mountain, so be prepared for a long haul on fireroad. In the wet this can get a bit sticky. Follow the track round to the next junction, where you turn right and cross the river. Continue downhill to where the track meets a Tarmac road (although not really marked as Tarmac on the map).
3. 12km (7.5 miles) Turn right on this road, continuing downhill towards Inveruglas. After 500m, take a right turn towards Coiregrogain farm, then just over the bridge take the trail off on your left. This is now the Glen Loin trail and there are signposts saying so.
4. 12.5km (7.9 miles) Follow this wide singletrack trail as it climbs and falls down Glen Loin, and look out for the sudden drops and bends you might miss! Pass under the line of pylons and continue to drop down the glen until a fork in the trail is reached.
5. 17.3km (10.9 miles) Turn right if the weather is bad, and you are otherwise ready to finish in Arrochar, or turn left to climb up into the forest for some excellent singletrack trails to finish on. Turning left climbs yet again up above the town, and after 1km or so look out for a public seat on the right of the trail. 20m or so before that there is a narrow singletrack dropping steeply down into the town - check your brakes.
6. 19km (12 miles) This brings you out onto the main street, where you will turn right and skirt round the head of the Loch back to the car park.
Total Distance: 19.3km (12.2 miles)
Back to the route guide index |
