Cycle routes & bike rental
Bike hire
Invertrossachs Road, Callander, FK17 8HWE -mail: mark@wheelscycling.com Tel : 01877 331100. Open March-October Mon-Sun 10.00am -6.00pm (Bike Hire, Sales and Repairs) November-February Mon, Fri, Sat, Sun 10.00am-5.00pm (Sales and Repairs) for bike hire, servicing, sales and accessories.
Hire bikes are all this years’ model, flexible bike hire from 1 hour to 2 weeks. Hire range includes electric and hybrid bikes, tandems and special needs bikes.
Trossachs Pier, Loch Katrine, By Callander FK17 8HZ Tel: 01877 376366 mail: katrinewheelz@yahoo.co.uk Explore the landscape of Loch Katrine by bike or take your bike on board ‘Sir Walter Scott’ or ‘Lady of the Lake’ for the morning sail up to Stronachlachar, then cycle back on the road along the scenic shores of Loch Katrine. With bikes for adults and kids it’s the perfect family day out - or you can even hire a tandem or electric. Flexible bike hire from 1 hour – 1 day.
Main Street, Aberfoyle FK8 3UQ Tel: 01877 382023 mail: info@aberfoylebikehire.co.uk Repairs, sales, accessories and bike rental with flexible hires from 3 hours to one week. They also offer artisan coffee and cakes for sitting in or taking out.
01567 820652 Dreadnought Place, Main Street, Killin. FK21 8UJ. Flexible bike hire from 1 hour to 24 hours.
Cycle routes
This 547-mile-long route runs from Sunderland up to Inverness. In Callander, the route can be picked up at the Callander meadows where it will take you along the old railway line, along the south bank of Loch Lubnaig (the Rob Roy Way) through to Strathyre and Balquhidder, past Lochearnhead, through Glen Ogle and up to Killin. The majority of this route is traffic-free and perfect for families. The one-way journey is around 26 miles long and will take an experienced cyclist around 2 hours 30 minutes.
Suitable for families
Rob Roy Loop
Grading: easy. Distance 7.8 miles. Ascent: 96 m. Type: suitable for all types of bike Signage: NCN7 Direction: clockwise. A family-friendly, easy, ride through Strathyre Forest and Balquhidder village. Expect to see mountains, lochs and forest wildlife and be sure to chance to visit Rob Roy’s grave. Starts and ends in Strathyre. Download route map here
Loch Ard Loop
Grading: easy. Distance: 3.5 miles Ascent: 60mType: suitable for mountain bikes or hybrids Signage: Forestry Commission Scotland waymarkers – Red Route Perfect for families wanting to experience off-road cycling in a safe environment. This route is takes you through the Loch Ard forest. After a short hill at the start, the route passes a lochan, followed by a short descent to Loch Ard and picturesque views across The Narrows. The area is rich in animals, birds, insects and plant life. Starts and ends in Milton car park near Aberfoyle. Download Route map here
Suitable for mountain bikes
Loch Venachar Circuit
Grading: moderate. Description: clockwise. Distance: 24 km / 16 miles Ascent: 132m Type: mountain bikes, sturdy hybrids Signage: directional, National Cycle Network (NCN7) A challenging circuit of contrasting halves centred around the picturesque Loch Venachar. The first part is quiet road-riding along the Invertrossachs Road (NCN7) and a section along the loch shore. The second half is challenging off-roading on the Great Trossachs Path contouring through the landscape high above the loch. Starts and ends in Callander. Download route map here.
Achray Forest Cycle Route
Grading: moderate. Description: heading north. Distance: 24 km / 14 miles Ascent: 292m Type: mountain bikes or sturdy hybrids Signage: National Cycle Network (NCN7) The quiet tracks, lochs and high conifers of the Achray Forest are an enchanting place to explore by bike. This tour through the pine-scented heart of the Trossachs showcases some of the finest landscape and riding the area has to offer – keep your eyes peeled for red squirrel, deer, woodpecker, pine marten or even ospreys.
Starts in Aberfoyle, ends in Callander. Download route map here
Glen Finglas & The Meall Route
Grading: hard. Description: anti-clockwiseDistance: 24km /15 miles Ascent: 500mType: mountain bike circuit Signage: none Be aware: parts of this route are remote, without mobile phone reception. Please ensure you and your bike are in good condition before setting off. This is a route for experienced mountain bikers with over 500m of climbing over the 600m contour. Starting in Brig o’Turk a farm track takes you up to the top of the valley along a 1.7 mile climb. From this vantage point you have a spectacular view of the surrounding mountains before heading down the steep descent for 3.5 miles of sweeping bends, steep ramps (26%) at blistering speed. You then follow a 4x4 track along Glen Finglas which takes you back to Brig o’Turk. Download route map here
Road Cycling routes
Tour of the Trossachs
Grading: hard. Description: anti-clockwise Distance: 31 miles Ascent: 500mType: road Signage: directional road signs Not for the faint hearted, this route starts with the biggest climb of the day, up along the Duke’s pass – a 2.5 mile climb with gradients fluctuating between 6-11%. Once this climb is over the route heads down, through breathtaking scenery, to Loch Achray and through to Loch Katrine where you can follow the loch shore for 13 mostly traffic-free miles. At Stronachlachar the route becomes steeper until you pass Loch Arklet, after which the final 11 miles are relatively straightforward with only a few short climbs until you arrive back in Aberfoyle. Download route map here