Cycle from Drymen to Aberfoyle
The Lochs and Glens North section of the National Number 7 Cycle Route (NCN7) are just over 200 miles long. The routes between Glasgow and Inverness in the Highlands takes in both of Scotland’s National Parks. This guide covers the section between Drymen and Aberfoyle and follows on from our Balloch to Drymen guide, linked below.
Drymen
The pretty village of Drymen at the start of this section is well worth exploring. There are many places to stay, excellent options for food and drink, plus shops to stock up with supplies.
The heart of the village is the Square, with grass. Around the end of the Square are signs to point you in the direction of Aberfoyle. Read more about Drymen at our guide, linked below.
Cycle From Drymen
From Drymen to Aberfoyle, the next stretch of NCN7 is 9 miles, and you can expect a few more inclines than in the previous section.
Follow the signs to Aberfoyle (pointed from the Village Square). You’ll begin to climb Old Gartmore Road, next to the Clachan Inn, as you leave the village. Just past Drymen Primary School, the road narrows, you will still encounter cars, especially at the start as you pass popular spots for dog walking.
The journey to Gartmore, the next village, goes through some wide-open land. There are more hills to climb on this section of NCN7; get used to them as you will be experiencing lots of ups and downs from now on. The route keeps you primarily off of the busy roads, on quiet, smooth roads.
Here are some photographs to give you an idea of what to expect in this section of NCN7.
Gartmore
Gartmore is a pretty village just within the Trossachs; it has a village shop and pub operated by the local community.
Copeland
From Gartmore until a mile before Aberfoyle, you will be on the main road, so do take care. At Copeland, there is a campsite.
Aberfoyle
There is a long, straight path on a final couple of miles into Aberfoyle. This welcome pathway is entirely off the road.
When you reach the large car park at Aberfoyle, you are on the old railway station site. The railway had arrived in 1882, linking Aberfoyle with Glasgow; the station was pulled down in 1959. The former track has now become the cycle path. An excellent new coffee shop called The Station can be found on Aberfoyle’s Main Street.
Aberfoyle Bike Hire
There is an excellent bike shop in Aberfoyle for rentals and repairs.
NCN 7 Continues...
The pathways, terrain and scenery become even more dramatic for the next section of NCN7 on the journey to Callander.
The Trossachs Trail
Recently, there has been a major revamp of the Trossachs Trail with a new website, information boards and renewal of the brown road signs that guide the route. The trail began in the 1990s, and you can read more about it at our guide and the official website that we designed for it, which has lots of information about cycling.
Thanks for Reading
Words and photography by Paul Saunders. Visit Paul’s Marketing and Photography websites for details of his services in Scotland.
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Buy our guidebook, 101 Things to Do in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, packed with attractions, views, and activities to enjoy.