I’ve got a friend visting at Easter who has never biked in Scotland (but is a good rider) so I’m trying to plan a few rides to show the best of what’s on offer. So I’d really like your suggestions for your favourite / most memorable routes near-ish to Glasgow (say ~1hr drive away). The routes can be anything from a few hours to longer, but not 12 hour hike-a-bike epics. Good “natural” riding rather than trail centres is preferable.
Suggestions last night were:
- Something round Mugdock because it’s local
- Ben Lomond, good idea but could be a rambler dodging festival at Easter
- Something around Aberfoyle (routes needed)
- Ochil hills
- Drumlanrig
I have seen a route guide from Tyndrum to Taynuilt that looks good, about 60km via Loch Etive I think. Anyone done this?
Thanks
Tom
Hey Tom,
Looked at the Taynuit ride but never done it. I think the tricky thing is getting the right train connection to take you back to Tyndrum. Plus, if you get delayed, you may need to stay the night!
Antoher close option is head to Arrochar for the Glen Loin loop, or for a bigger one, Argarten.
Went to drum last weekend, allow about 1.5 hours to get there….i thought the new m77 would make it quicker but still the same time.
Let’s hope the weather stays good for you!
Sam
Maybe slighty longer than an hour away, but for me, Devils staircase – Blackwater dam – Ciaran path – Devils staircase is a fine days riding. Or you could do the Arrochar Glen loin loop, and add on the Cobbler?.
Tom – Ben Venue & Aberfoyle are on the calendar for the 25th March (weather permitting). That would be a good way to see some of the routes first hand.
Ben Lomond is fine even on a busy day.
Ben Vorlich by Loch Earn is a great trip up and down.
The east shore of loch lomond.
Ben Venue up via the Land Rover track, traverse to the summit and come down the footpath to the Loch Ard side.
Pentland Hills – the seven peaks make for a classic ride old sloop style with terrace viewsand only 1 hour from Glasgow too!
The Ochils via Silver Glen and Ben Cleuch descending this Andrew Gannel hill are a fun short day put. You could add in Dumayat for extra smiles.
Cambusbaron and North Third.
The Campsie Fells via Kilearn for the ascent to Rarls Deat.
All good!
That is Earls Seat. Bloody phone!
Thanks for the responses, some great ideas. Unfortunately can’t make the trip on the 24th, would have been ideal.
If time is tight i’d go for the Glen Loin loop – from tarbert over to Arrochar via some singletrack, then climb up cobbler path to fireroad – follow it up and round to loch sloy, up to dam for a view and a sandwich, then enjoy the Glen Loin trail, back up and over to tarbert – a good half day ride and only 45 min from the big smoke.