+44 (0)1506 635399 info@hookedoncycling.co.uk
+44 (0)1506 635399 info@hookedoncycling.co.uk

Lochs Galore by Road Bike

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From£809
Price
From£809
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Homepage > Scotland > Lochs Galore by Road Bike
  • Duration: 7 Nights
  • Difficulty: Level 3
  • Tour Type: Self Guided
  • Availability: Daily April - October
  • Location: Callander
Tour Details

Welcome to Hooked on Cycling Holidays and our road bike cycling holidays in Scotland. This self-guided cycle tour has been designed to be ridden on a road bike as the routes are more challenging than our standard Lochs Galore tour. This region has some superb scenery, remote countryside, mountains, great lakes locally known and lochs. This region is also rich in culture and history.

You shall be passing through Stirling with its great castle but also you shall see Doune and Blair Castles. At Doune Castle, various films have just it for scenes such as Outlander!  For those who would like to find a little more about our national drink whisky then you shall have a few distilleries to choose from.  For most of the tour, you shall be cycling though the Trossachs National park and into Highland Perthshire, one of the most visits and beautiful regions of Scotland.

Starting Location

Callander

Price Includes

  • 7 Nights Bed and Breakfast
  • 3 Star Hotels and Guest Houses
  • Information Pack
  • Navigation by Smart Phone App.
  • Route Turn by Turn Cue sheet
  • Luggage transfers
  • GPS Files on request

Price Excludes

  • Transport before and after tour
  • Single Rooms
  • Flights
  • Road Bike Rental
  • Extra nights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Upgrade to 3/4 star accommodation
  • Airport Transfers
Trip Info

Bike Rental

We have available aluminium road bikes with carbon forks and full carbon road bikes.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Hooked on Cycling that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the chosen activity and for emergency evacuation and hospital care.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Callander

Arrival to Callander easily reached from the historic city of Stirling. Stirling is a short train ride from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. If you arrive early either explore this pretty town or take a walk to see the picturesque Bracklin waterfalls which are situated just around 1 mile from Callander. In the evening you will have a choice of several restaurants for your evening dinner.

Day 2Loch Katrine Loop approx. 48 miles 77km.

Today on your bike ride you shall experience Scotland’s remote landscape and its great lochs.  You will cycle passing via Loch Venachar and to Loch Katrine. Lochs Katrine provided much of the water for Glasgow that flows in ancient underground pipes.  Around Loch Katrine is a wonderful private road which provides great views across the Loch. You shall cycle on this secluded road to the far end of the Loch, remember to stop and take in the absolute quietness of the area, no sound of cars and habitation – wonderful.  Once at the far end of the Loch you cycle south via a few lochs to Aberfoyle in the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. You then begin your final climb over Dukes Pass and back to Callander.

Day 3Callander – Stirling Castle – Doune Castle Loop approx. 62miles 100km

First today you cycle off towards Aberfoyle again but via a different route to yesterday. From Aberfoyle, we take the minor roads towards Drymen which sits on the world-famous West Highland Way walking trail. Then we head east over the Campsie Hills before descending down the Carron valley into Stirling the former capital of Scotland.  Stirling Castle is one of the largest and most important castles, both historically and architecturally, in Scotland. It is in a great defensive position with three cliff faces and guarding what was the only crossing north across the River Forth. Time permitting visit the castle before heading north through Bridge of Allen and onto Doune to visit the medieval castle. Finally, we cycle north along the country lanes back to Callander

Day 4Callander to Killin approx. 41-52 miles 65-83km

The first few miles today is on a slightly busier road passing Loch Lubnaig, you shall certainly see some lovely views across the loch.  Soon you shall reach Strathyre where you shall join a minor road up the beautiful valley to Balquhidder.  The valley road takes you almost right beside loch Oich. In Balquhidder you have a chance to visit Rob Roy’s grave. Rob Roy was a famous Chief of the McGregor Clan depicted in a film made several years ago.

You then join a cycle path for a few miles before exiting and cycling around loch Earn.  Finally, you join the cycle path again to cycle over the gentle climb of Glen Ogle pass to Killin. The cycle path was a former railway line now converted for biking and hiking.  After a good days ride you can sit and watch the day or evening go by beside the Falls of Dochart, the wonderful waterfalls in Killin.

Day 5Killin to Aberfeldy approx. 42 miles 67 km

Today you leave Killin on a minor road up a small remote valley passing the Moirlanich Longhouse a restored former crofters house where family and life stock used to live in the same building. You are heading towards Glen Lyon which is Scotland’s longest enclosed Glen. Before you reach the glen you will have a stiff climb of around 400m ascent. You then drop down to the glen and continue the long descent east towards Fortingall and then onto Aberfeldy. Fortingall is known for having the world’s oldest Yew tree in the grounds of a tiny church. Just before entering Aberfeldy, you will pass Castle Menzies a medieval tower castle which has been restored by the Menzies family trust. Once in Aberfeldy your first chance to visit a distillery, Dewers World of Whisky.

Day 6 Aberfeldy – Dunkeld – Blairgowrie – Pitlochry approx. 56 miles 89km

Before leaving today take some photos of the famous bridge across the Tay River in Aberfeldy built for General Wades network of military roads. These military roads and bridges were constructed in the 18th century by the English to allow its armies to travel north and keep control of the Scottish nation.  On today’s route, you will visit Dunkeld a renovated conservation village of the 18th century with its stunning church. Once you have explored Dunkeld you cycle east to Blairgowrie the entrance to the Cairngorm Mountains, before heading on the wonderful remote valley to Pitlochry.

Day 7The Pitlochry Loop 47-65 miles 75-104km

Today you cycle north and visit the Killiecrankie visitor centre the centre point of the Jacobite risings. Cycling north a few miles and you reach Blair Castle, home of the Atholl family. Then you head off towards Kinloch Rannoch before your climb over Schiehallion and the picturesque route around Loch Tummel which will provide some breathtaking scenery to make these days stopover truly unforgettable.

Day 8Departure

Depart after breakfast.

Map

How to get there

By air, train, bus to Edinburgh or Glasgow and then by train to Stirling. Then a bus or taxi to Callander.  From Edinburgh, we can arrange a private transfer to Callander.

You can also travel by car to Callander where some free parking is available.

A coach service runs from Glasgow and Edinburgh to/from Callander run by CityLink.

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2024 Prices – For a complete tour price breakdown please click the book now button and select your holiday tour date. Prices will then be listed.

 Tour Code Prices From (per person) Book Now
TP02 RB-STD (7 Nights)  from £809 Book Now
 TP02 RB-Upgrade (7 Nights)  from £979 Book Now
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