Starting Point: Killin, Scotland
Distance: 55 miles
Type of Route: This is a circular route starting and finishing in Killin
Grade: Hilly ride. The hardest part of the route is cycling back along the southern edge of Loch Tay
Gears Recommended: 38 or 39 x 25 should be adequate for the Ben Lawers climb
Maps: Ben Lawers and Glen Lyon: Loch Tay, Killin and Kenmore (Explorer Maps, 0378) Ordnance Survey, Landranger 51 |
Parking: Travel a mile from Killin centre on A827 (direction Aberfeldy). There are a few public pull-in areas just off the road
Pub and Grub:
* Capercaillie Restaurant: Main St, Killin,
01567 820 355
* The Falls of Dochart Inn: Gray Street, Killin;
http://www.thefallsinn.co.uk/
01567 820 270
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Access:
From Edinburgh - head for Stirling and follow the A84/85 through Callander,
Lochearnhead and turn right onto the A827 for Killin at Lix Toll garage.
From Glasgow - either head for Stirling as above or go West and follow the A82 around Loch Lomond to Crianlarich where a right turn onto the A85 will take you to Lix Toll and
then on to Killin
Alternative Route: A cycle around Loch Tay is only 34 miles. |
Terrain:
* Mountainous, in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
* The roads are particularly quiet and well surfaced.
* Bike shops: Killin Outdoor Shop
stocks cycling spares.
Accommodation:
* www.killin.info/stay/ - here you will find a selection of reasonably priced hotels and
guest houses.
* Kenmore Hotel, The Square, Kenmore: http://www.kenmorehotel.com/ - 01887 830 205 |
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The route starts from the peaceful fishing village of Killin, a one-hour drive north of Edinburgh. The 55 mile circular route will take you up Ben Lawers pass, through Glen Lyon valley and finally around the southern edge of Loch Tay. Because the ride takes you up into the mountains, it will be important to take ample food, water, spares, a mobile phone charged up and a wind proof. The scenery is spectacular, so remember your camera too!
Cycle out of Killin village on the A827 for Kenmore. The road twists its way on the false flat road through the trees, with Loch Tay visible on your right after the first few miles. At around six miles, take the small road off to your left in the direction of Ben Lawyers pass and visitor centre. Be warned that the first part of this climb rises steeply at 10% from the banks of Loch Tay, through dense green, sap filled fern trees. The steep part lasts only a few hundred metres, before the gradient flattens and the road comes out into open pastureland. The narrow lane meanders gently upwards. The summit is marked by a small reservoir called Lochan Na Lairige. Looking up to your right, you will see the peak of Ben Lawers, the highest mountain in the Loch Tay region. Climbing higher, you will also have a spectacular view of Loch Tay below. The pastures here are famous for many types of Alpine flora and are therefore a botanist’s haven.
The descent off Ben Lawyers pass is fast and technical, traversing numerous times over crystal tumbling streams. Watch out for sheep lying lazily in the road and any deer that may spring across at any moment. At the bottom of the descent, you will pass over the Bridge of Balgie and into the valley of Glen Lyon. Turn right over the bridge in the direction of Aberfeldy. The scenery rapidly changes into that of a lush green valley, with no sign of traffic: just a simple lane that follows the River Lyon downstream for approximately 10 miles. With the high mountains all around, this is nothing short of cycling paradise! Once at the end of the valley, turn right at the ‘T’ junction for Killin, not Aberfeldy. This junction will be opposite Glen Lyon House. The route will take you through the small village of Fearnan on flat roads and back down to the shores of Loch Tay on the A827. At this point, turn left for Kenmore, in the direction of Aberfeldy once more.
Kenmore fishing village is a great place to stop, take a quick break or even have a longer pub lunch. Do take the time to look at the colourful fishing bay with its many boats and thriving water activities. There is a cyclingfriendly newsagents/shop opposite Kenmore Hotel, where it is possible sit outside, recover and take in the sights. From Kenmore, take the A827 out of the village towards Aberfeldy. On the first bend out of the town, turn right. This lane will take you upwards onto the ‘tourist route’ back to Killin. This last stretch is a challenging 16 miles of short, successive, rolling hills running the length of Loch Tay. Because this part of the route is hilly, it will seem much longer than 16 miles, so do bear this in mind! But the reward for taking the tourist route is immense: the views are breathtaking across the Loch and it is possible to look through to the Grampian Mountain summits. Finally, Killin village arrives. At this point, some of you will probably feel like refuelling on good food. The pubs and hotels serve fresh fish from the loch itself, which would certainly be worth sampling. This should probably be enough to wind up a wonderful day out, leaving you exhausted, exhilarated and totally awe inspired. Have fun!
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