The best cycling routes around Gartmore

There are over 20 touring cycling routes around Gartmore, offering a variety of experiences. These include 7 easy routes, 12 moderate routes, and 5 difficult routes, catering to different skill levels.

Yes, Gartmore offers several family-friendly options. An excellent choice is the Aberfoyle Bike Hire & Café – Rabbit Hill Nature Trail loop from Gartmore. This easy 4.2-mile (6.7 km) path is gentle and suitable for a quick outing with the family, featuring minimal elevation gain.

Gartmore's touring cycling routes are set within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, offering dense forests, scenic lochs like Loch Ard, Loch Venachar, and Loch Katrine, and the dramatic Highland Boundary Fault. You'll experience a transition from managed farmlands to wilder highland scenery, with opportunities to spot local wildlife such as red squirrels and deer.

Yes, you can cycle to waterfalls in the area. The Little Fawn Waterfall – Alt a' Mhangam Waterfall loop from Aberfoyle is a 7.7-mile (12.5 km) route that takes you through varied forest terrain to these beautiful natural features.

Bike hire facilities are conveniently located nearby. Aberfoyle Bike Hire is just 2 miles from Gartmore, offering bikes for daily or weekly rental. Wheels Cycling Centre in Callander also provides bike rental and access to routes around Loch Venachar and Loch Lubnaig.

The region offers stunning views. While cycling, you might catch glimpses of the distant Wallace Monument in Stirling. For specific viewpoints, consider routes that pass by areas offering views of Loch Lomond from Conic Hill or the expansive vistas over relatively flat country towards Stirling. The View of Aberfoyle Countryside – Loch Katrine Aqueduct loop from Aberfoyle also offers scenic perspectives.

Yes, many routes in the area are circular, allowing you to start and end in the same location. For example, the challenging Loch Drunkie – Three Lochs Forest Drive loop from Aberfoyle is a popular circular route that covers 22.2 miles (35.7 km) with significant elevation gain through forest roads.

The touring cycling routes around Gartmore are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 5.0 stars from over 50 reviews. Cyclists often praise the dense forests, scenic lochs, and the varied terrain that caters to different ability levels.

Yes, cyclists can take their bikes aboard the Steamship Sir Walter Scott or the Lady of the Lake for a cruise on Loch Katrine. This offers a unique opportunity to combine a boat trip with cycling, as you can disembark and cycle back along the loch's shore.

Gartmore is a village in a rural area, and while local bus services exist, options for transporting bikes on public transport can be limited. It's advisable to check with specific bus operators for their bike carriage policies before planning your journey. Many cyclists prefer to drive to the area and park, or cycle directly from nearby towns.

The village of Gartmore itself has local amenities. Additionally, nearby Aberfoyle, just a short distance away, offers cafes and pubs that are popular with cyclists. The Aberfoyle Bike Hire & Café – Rabbit Hill Nature Trail loop from Gartmore even starts near a cafe, providing a convenient stop.

The spring and summer months (April to September) generally offer the most favorable weather conditions for touring cycling in Gartmore, with longer daylight hours and milder temperatures. Autumn can also be beautiful with changing foliage, though weather can be more unpredictable. Winter cycling is possible but requires appropriate gear for colder, potentially wetter conditions.