Scottish Cycling Adventure

In 2006 Phil and I cycled the Sustrans 7 route from Glasgow to Inverness and then down the great glen to Fort William.

Sustrans National Cycle Route 7

Submitted by CmdrGravy on

The Lochs & Glens cycle route North ( otherwise known as Sustrans NN7C ) stretches 214 miles from Glasgow to Inverness traversing some of the most beautiful highland scenery in the country.

Phil and myself decided to follow this route for our cycling holiday in the summer of 2006. Neither of us are practiced cyclists ( myself especially having only been out my bike twice in the year leading up to this holiday ) and hadn't been on any cycling holidays before so we decided to follow the Sustrans guidelines and split the journey into 8 days where we would cover between 20 - 30 miles each day. We were both fairly confident this distance wouldn't kill us and allow sufficient time for sightseeing and stopping off at any interesting diversions we came across.

Holidays: 

Carrbridge To Inverness

Submitted by CmdrGravy on

Route Facts: 30 miles, 2 miles traffic free
Profile: A long climb to Slochd summit and then a succession of downhills into Inverness

Route

Sustrans offer another recommended off-road route from Carrbridge to Slochd and this is the route which I took. The route begins with a short ride down a B road before turning off onto a gravel path which heads upwards through a small wood and onwards through heather clad moorland.

You cross the Dulnain river over the ancient Sluggan bridge and face some very steep ( but short lived ) climbs up a very loose gravel surface. I found some of these hills to be simply too much for my luggage laden bike and had no choice but to get off and push.

Holidays: 

Dalnacardoch to Kingaussie

Submitted by CmdrGravy on

Route Facts: 24 miles, 16 traffic free
Profile: A climb to the top of the Drumochter pass and then downhill into Kingaussie

Route

I recommend that you combine this leg of the journey with the previous one since accomdation and food can be hard to come around Dalnacardoch which is just a lonely farmhouse.

The climb levels off in steepness above Dalnacardoch lodge and the path is a gravel track sandwiched between the A9 and the River Garry and railway line. The top of the pass is a largely treeless and exposed plateau running between the peaks of A'Bhuideanach Bheag and The Boar Of Badenoch. On this plateau you are at the mercy of the elements, the wind being the main one to watch out for.

Holidays: 

Strathtay to Dalnacardoch

Submitted by CmdrGravy on

Route Facts: 28 miles, 0 traffic free
Profile: A steady climb to the top of the Drumochter Pass

Route

You leave Strathtay on a nice B road running alongside the river Tay, from Logierait the route climbs over the shoulder of Dunfallandy hill through Logierait wood into Pitlochry.

The route from Pitlochry is fairly flat with only a very short climb through Killiecrankie, through Blair Atholl the route sticks closely to the railway line and the river Garry which you follow through Calvine to begin the climb up to the pass.

Initially you begin climbing between pine trees on the old A road until eventually the trees give way to a wide pass between Meall Dubg-ghlas and Meal a Chathaidh. From here the path slowly deteriorates to a narrower gravel track and you are at the mercy of the winds which seem to be channelled through the pass.

Holidays: 

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